The Doctrine of the Atonement According to the Apostolic Fathers
All mankind has fallen short of the glory of God, and is in need of the atonement offered and accomplished through the physical death of Jesus.
Malcolm Webber
Through the ages, there have been many varied viewpoints on the doctrine of atonement, in particular regarding whether Jesus’ death had to be spiritual to accomplish salvation.
In this brief study of some of the early apostolic fathers’ writings, Dr. Webber asserts that there is, in fact, a consistency on the main points of the doctrine of atonement between both the apostles and the apostolic church fathers. The physical death of the God-man, Jesus Christ – fully Deity and fully man – accomplished an infinite work because He was God; but He did not die spiritually.
It is this truth which is essential to our salvation and has been remained unchanged throughout the ages.
