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To Whom Was the Ransom Paid?

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ktn4eg

New Member
I've heard it been said several times that when Jesus shed His blood as a ransom for our sins, this ransom was paid to God the Father.

Now, I know that often times earthly comparisons sometimes fail when trying to prove theological points (and this may be the case here), but let's use the most common scenario where a ransom is often mentioned: A kidnapping.

A person is kidnapped. A ransom note is received demanding X amount of money by the captors. The recipients of this ransom note would be expected to pay the ransom to the captors, right?

Before we were saved, is it not true that we were held captive by Satan?

Logic would conseqently infer, then, that the ransom payment would be paid to the Prince of This World, right?

I'm a little fuzzy, then, on why I hear that the ransom Christ gave for us was paid to the Father, since He was not our captor, but Satan.

Please explain why our ransom was paid to the Father.

[NOTE: I'm not dogmatic about this issue, just curious.]
 
StefanM

StefanM

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
The ransom theory (i.e. ransom to Satan) of the atonement goes back to many of the church fathers.
 
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2BHizown

New Member
I cant imagine anyone thinking anything at all would be paid to Satan, as Christ died to show mastery over evil and death itself by His resurrection!! The ransom was paid to God to satisfy His justice and wrath against sin. Blood atonement as price for sin. Christ subjected Himself to this death in our behalf!

God cannot be in the presence of sin.
Christ died to atone for my sins, allowing me now to live eternally in the very presence of God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ!

The doctrine of imputation is so clearly documented in 2 Cor 5 : 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him!!

That is our sin placed in Christ's account.
His righteousness placed in my account!

Also: Isaiah 61 : 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My sould shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness!!

Soli deo gloria!!
 
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J

James_Newman

New Member
Psalms 49:7
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

I don't think ransom implies that we are being held hostage, although we were certainly in bondage. The Webster's 1828 had this definition for ransom,
3. In law, a sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; or a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
I think this would be the proper sense of the word.
 
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Brandon C. Jones

New Member
As weird as it sounds to us today the idea that the atonement was a ransom paid to Satan was a view held among many ancient Christians for quite a few years (even Augustine kind of believed this, but it's hard to pin his views of the atonement down). There was also the subjective view of the atonement that was popular particular among the Eastern Fathers (which has led to the ongoing belief in theosis among the Greek Orthodox Church today).

Really, the beginning of the paradigm for the atonement that we all are familiar with today began with Anselm and was refined by Calvin. The biggest difference between them was that Anselm believed that the atonement had to happen (cf. Cur Deus Homo), while Calvin believed that it was God's choice and He did it because of grace.

For more, like the broken record I am, consult some good systematic theologies on the issue or even some decent historical works. You know one recent festschrift (I believe in honor of Roger Nicole) has come out called "The Glory of the Atonement," which is filled with some great essays on various theological issues with the atonement. I highly recommend it.

BJ
 
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Jarthur001

Active Member
Origen was the 1st to come up with this ransom to Satan.

There has been a ton of bad views given..and just not on this BB. :)

Irenaeus had the "recapitulation theory"..something about Christ reversed the couse of human life by repeating in Himself stages and experiences..including those in the sinner.

The Commercial Theory of Anselm...Christ death restored Gods honor..or something like that.

Moral influence theory...by Abelard...this is close to the view held by Calvinist one one end.....but it did not address substitutionary, propitiatory or ransom of Christ Death

Thomas Aquinas..said atonement was not necessary and that God could have redeemed man without it.

The Example Theory....by Socinus.
Said Christ did not bear all the sins of anyone...because He would have to die as many times as there were elect..so it was more a example. This base view is where most non-calvinist take there view. I mean..the example part..not the many deaths part.

Acceptilation theory...Scotus
close to Aquinas..but that is all i can remember

Governmental view...close to Example view...but it was done in hate of sin..not in payment.

there are others too..
 
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L

LeBuick

New Member
Here is my problem with this theory.

ktn4eg said:
Before we were saved, is it not true that we were held captive by Satan?
Click to expand...

We were in the bondage of sin and not satan. Sin is transgression against GOD and is not necessarily in fellowship with satan. I believe satan get's credit for a lot more than he really does.

Because sin is transgression against GOD, the debt was with GOD the father.
 
J

Jarthur001

Active Member
saturneptune said:
Then there is the armenianarthur theory that says Arthur chose to pay a ransom to the pope.
Click to expand...
? I never heard of this view. Can you give more details..or a link or something?
 
J

Jarthur001

Active Member
saturneptune said:
yes arthur www.br549.com. It has all the answers.
Click to expand...
I don't get it. This site has some guy singing and says nothing about atonement...or nothing about the Bible that I can tell. Just some poor singing.

Is this another joke of yours?
 
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