The Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement, like most other views, has its strengths and weaknesses. Watch the video below for my full assessment.
The Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement was propagated primarily by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) in his book Cur Deus Homo (Why the God-Man?). Anselm approached the atonement through the lens of his culture, which was based on the honor/shame mentality. Serfs paid honor to their overlord (usually a knight), who did the same for their king. The overlords and kings, in turn, were benefactors to those under them.
In this system, it was unacceptable to bring shame to the person above you. If you did, you attempted to reverse the wrong by imposing greater honor on that person. This was the process of “satisfaction,” whereby the honor of the benefactor was satisfied.
Anselm saw the atonement of Jesus in the same way. In our sin, we brought shame on God. However, we cannot right this wrong, because we cannot give to God anything above what we already owe Him. Jesus, not having owed the debt of sin, paid it. This payment earned a gift from God, but what could God give Jesus that He didn’t already have? Nothing. Instead, the gift was diverted to mankind, allowing mankind to be saved because God’s honor had been satisfied.
Anselm answered his question of “Why the God-Man” by proposing that Jesus had to be man because man owed the debt, and He had to be God because only God could pay the debt.
Anselm made these points in logical order:
- The purpose of man: To live in happiness with God
- The definition of sin: Neglecting to honor God through complete obedience
- The result of sin: An unpayable debt caused by stripping God of His honor
- The means of restoring God’s honor: The payment of Jesus
Merits of the satisfaction theory:
- It is rooted in the just nature of God
- It emphasizes the awfulness of sin
- It highlights the deity of Jesus
Weaknesses of the satisfaction theory:
- It removes punishment from payment
- In reality, Jesus died not to restore God’s honor, but to restore God’s creation
- It focuses on merit over substitution
