Page 230 - Bible Writers Theology Original

214 ♦ Bible Miters' Theology Chapter Eight
A
The Accident Theory
This view sees no significance in the death of Christ. He was a man, and as such, subject to death. For the defenders of this theory, Christ was killed by the people of His day because His principles and methods did not appeal to them.
B The Martyr Theory
Also called the "example theory", it holds that Christ's death was that of a martyr. The theory says that He is an example of fidelity to truth and duty. The view assumes that the only thing needed to save man is to reform him. It totally ignores the fundamental idea of the atonement.
C The Moral Influence Theory
It is also called the "love of God" theory. This view holds that Christ's death is the mere natural consequence of His taking human nature upon himself, and that He merely suffered in and with the sins of His creatures to soften human hearts and lead them to repentance.
D The Governmental Theory
This theory agrees with the preceding three in holding that there is no principle in the divine nature that needs propitiation, but rather God, in order to maintain respect for this law made an example of His hatred of sin in the death of Christ. It states that His work was a ministry accomplished
on our behalf but not in our stead.
E The Commercial Theory
This theory held by many conservatives, holds that sin violates the divine honor, and since it is committed against an infinite being, it deserves infinite punishment. It further holds that God's honor requires Him to punish sin while the love of God pleads for the sinner, and that conflict between the divine attributes is reconciled by the voluntary sacrifice of Christ.
This theory teaches that Christ suffered the exact equivalent for the deserved suffering of the elect. It places the honor of God above the holiness of God. It does not place sufficient emphasis on the active obedience of Christ and His holy life. It limits the atonement to the elect and it speaks of the substitution in quantitative terms rather than qualitative.
F The Physical and Spiritual Death Theory
According to the teaching of Hagin, Copeland, and many others, Christ