Model Cars Are Not Cars (And Theories of Atonement Are Not Atonement)

If you mistake a model car for real car, you're going to have problems. I spent much of my life making that in thinking about atonement. had read “God's justice requires penalty be paid every sin”1 and “to atone is suffer the sins, thereby removing effects sin from repentant sinner allowing him or her reconciled God.”2 was mid-thirties when discovered this penal substitution idea one many different theories what atonement all about. Furthermore, there were well-developed criticisms theory—and they good ones. became desperate find out really meant.I'd like write what, me, major step forward struggle: realizing I'd been conflating models with itself. Many readers may separated those two things earlier than did, even take separation granted, but me it difficult paradigm break of. Even after started studying atonement, treated them competing descriptions some historical event—like conflicting eyewitness accounts crime—when fact serve an entirely purpose. Now think as being something scientific gravity.Aristotle proposed first we now call gravity. He rocks fall downward dropped because their nature. After all, everything world made up four elements: earth, air, water, fire. A rock, naturally attracted earth. Smoke, on other hand, upward toward celestial sphere This described people's day-to-day experiences perfectly years.Many gravity over subsequent millennia. In 1728, Sir Isaac Newton published Principia, which envisioned invisible force. His “law universal gravitation” can stated mathematically follows:F=G × m1 m2r2In equation, F force gravitational attraction between objects, m2 are masses r distance them, G “gravitational constant”—a multiplier causes units measurement work nicely. explained why kinds objects move way do—including six then-known planets, whose orbits charted by Kepler seventy years earlier.Let's pause moment notice important: Newton's describes (mathematically) how behaves. What its are. But doesn't tell us exists place. Models useful state more less simply aspect universe behaves predict behavior new situations. For example, used existence location Neptune astronomers noticed irregularities Uranus's orbit. However, these don't necessarily reveal any deeper truth phenomena describe.Newton's laws (and are) highly influential. eventually, scientists noticing Newtonian physics couldn't explain, peculiar orbit newly planet Mercury. Physicists searched explain phenomena, Albert Einstein finally succeeded his relativity. There additional developments since Einstein, will certainly future.So . seriously, does stone fall? Which various correct? The answer probably “none them.” simplifications reality abstract away detail complexity order highlight particular feature. We choose use depending feature interests us, should never expect correspond otherwise. Statistician George Box put succinctly: “All wrong, useful.”3 not gives sense car's design style. gravity, satellites into And features our relationship Christ—but atonement.So interesting question “Which correct?” rather me?” didn't learn relativity went through engineering school. learned older physics. Einstein's accurately describe world, close enough situations easier use. simpler practically work.A becomes substitute, stand-in, might define saying, “Gravity attracts together. Larger closer incur stronger force.” I'm describing no is. So, understand models—they mediate us. normal part human experience, works great if both realize we're discussing itself.Problems arise, however, start confuse reality. try believe actually problems.Like has understood evolution models. seems official Church Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints theory. Church's Preach My Gospel manual stating, “Justice [an] unchanging law brings penalties disobedience,” “stood place suffered sins. act called Atonement Christ.”4 Because last sentence statements it, thought only many.Critics easy create caricatures, J. Clair Batty: Children sent hen house gather eggs accidently, carelessly, deliberately drop basket eggs. These children conditioned terrible beating transgression. An brother comes along seeing plight poor trembling egg-breakers says this: Although broken egg spilt milk entire life, I, strongest, so richly deserve. upon shoulders responsibility your you, debt forever ever.This scenario presupposes authority figure who could deceived believing big broke befuddled, frustrated, drunken, angry matter just long he vent rage inflicting pain someone suffer.5Of course, point caricature illustrate inconsistency trying satisfy injustice—namely, punishing innocent guilty. Alma 34:11–12 speak directly stating wouldn't satisfied substitution, therefore “an infinite suffice sins world.” pro–penal interpretation verse emphasis word “infinite,” submitting can't accept God's transcends humans’ makes (the “incomprehensibility” claim, revisit shortly). critic's interpretation, “atonement”: justice—period—and needed instead. reading 34 separates while adherent's merges them.I surprised largely product sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation adaptation generic eleventh-century satisfaction theory, claims offended righteousness honor. model, Jesus’ suffering restitution offense—not incurred per se paying honor characteristic medieval feudal societies. Satisfaction theory still substitutionary (see Batty's Sunstone article example).6I then wondered: Reformation-era improvement did people before that? To fair, supporters trace origins backward reformers Augustine fifth century, Cyril Jerusalem fourth, Clement Rome first, thus attributing early church fathers.7 general agreement ideas unknown ransom According give Satan claim souls. legitimate (i.e., God recognizes too), God, form Jesus, offers trade soul ours. accepts waives death cannot hold realizes tricked left prize at all. portrayed C. S. Lewis's Lion, Witch, Wardrobe. Critics tend object amount power scenario, tricking deceiving way.There there, crisis mode. Voltaire famously said problem withstand assault sustained thinking; seemed either. searching, found conclusion: they're They're wrong. Or, say same thing generous way, models.Many biblical passages associate do explicitly substitution. impose them. Interestingly, takes effort see Book Mormon Doctrine Covenants. One strongest Covenants 19:13–20, tells Joseph Smith (Christ) “suffered repent.”However, passage immediately preceding one, very happened. text says, “It written shall end torment, ‘endless torment.’ Again, ‘eternal damnation.’ am endless, punishment given hand endless punishment, Endless name. Wherefore—Eternal punishment. punishment” (D&C 19:6–12). according verses, term “endless means (as literally English speaker would thought) goes forever. case, mind misinterpretation because, “it express hearts men, altogether name's glory” 19:7).So inaccurate acceptable work—if achieve desired effect “upon men.” perfect sense: usefulness model—its fitness purpose—always matters correctness. 1:24, acknowledges happy communicate using himself: “these commandments unto servants weakness, manner language, come understanding.” “the language” set symbols, metaphors, spiritual concepts? words, uses rhetoric. Immediately sharing “mystery” Smith, employs language verses 13–20, familiar.There keeping separate themselves. Consider Aristotelian cosmos. Earth center universe, sun, moon, heavenly bodies revolving around it. not? experience. fact, matches experience well whenever talk sun “rising” “setting.” wasn't always acknowledged model. Galileo's time, seen objective fact. caused serious problems Galileo, supported Copernicus's heliocentric sun. 1616 Roman Inquisition heliocentrism “formally heretical contradicts places Holy Scripture,”8 Galileo later sentenced under arrest. Keeping important allows adjust improve encounter limitations, astronomical observations giving rise heliocentrism, Mercury's prompting change physics.The completely identify unique gift transcendent literal mundane heavenly,” Richard Bushman puts it,9 terms prison sentences, cash transactions, images mundane, world. once bring needs explained. (substitutionary) explanation fails thinking, recourse Take example James E. Talmage's statement that, “in man incomprehensible, Savior took Himself burden [hu]mankind,”10 simultaneously asserts (thanks adjective “incomprehensible”) also preemptively rejects requests explanation.So, sum up, conflate conclude incomprehensible is, believer told clear, calling accepting currently understand. It's feeling incomprehensibility avoid through, reflection lead “work men” ways.In meantime, saddles substitution's illustrated previously Batty. accepted merely easily dismissed shortcomings admit, “Yes, breaks down there. beautifully illustrates Christ's willingness we've created demands violent analogy too far.” model—if it's identified itself—we're stuck limitations.In end, sure belongs It instead belong love, forgiveness, redemption, symbol, myth, adventure. let live acknowledge mediating affect anyway, whole works. Then moving story daring rescue mission save sin. evil transform effective. oneself hero stories—like watch movie—is Christ. meaningful essential.Atonement divine—including divine each person. peace (at-one) life. Life terrible. coexistence opposites: light darkness, health sickness, pleasure pain. knowing choosing anyway. symbols adopt help redeem humanity way?