Is a Bloodless Atonement Better? Or How Theology Connects to Life

Greystone Conversations

In our day, while biblical and theological studies certainly continue to abound, questions about the traditional Christian understanding of the atonement are not primarily focused on the question is it biblical. Nor are they focused on whether it is theologically coherent. Instead, they are driven by a concern that it may be violent, and whether that is or is not biblical or theologically coherent is less important than the fact that it is unacceptable. Why? Because a bloody atonement funds or leads to bloody behavior, to various forms of evil conduct. Or does it? Would a theoretically bloodless atonement really be better?

For today's episode of Greystone Conversations, Mark Garcia, President and Fellow in Scripture and Theology at Greystone Theological Institute sits down with Dr. Benjamin Burkholder, a Fellow in Scripture and Theology at Greystone who also serves North Park Church in Wexford, PA near Pittsburgh. Dr. Burkholder has written about the attraction of a bloodless atonement in modern theology and biblical studies and has a pastoral interest in its powerful role in contemporary Christian culture. Dr. Burkholder will teach a full course on this topic this coming spring of 2024, “Studies in Soteriology,” beginning in early February, and as we note in today’s conversation, we are making this class available at no cost to all Greystone Members as a benefit of your Membership.