Propitiation vs. Redemption

Attribute	Propitiation	Redemption
Meaning	Act of appeasing or making amends for sin	Act of saving or delivering from sin
Focus	God's wrath and justice	Human sin and bondage
Result	Atonement and reconciliation with God	Forgiveness and freedom from sin
Means	Sacrifice or offering to satisfy God's justice	Payment or ransom to release from sin's power

Definition

Propitiation and redemption are two important concepts in Christian theology that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Propitiation refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying the wrath of God through a sacrifice. It is the idea that Jesus Christ's death on the cross satisfied God's justice and made it possible for sinners to be reconciled to God. Redemption, on the other hand, refers to the act of buying back or paying a ransom to free someone from bondage or captivity. It is the idea that Jesus Christ's death on the cross paid the price for sin and freed believers from the power of sin and death.

Means of Accomplishment

Propitiation is accomplished through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were offered to atone for sin and appease God's wrath. Jesus Christ's death on the cross is seen as the ultimate sacrifice that satisfied God's justice and made it possible for sinners to be reconciled to God. Redemption, on the other hand, is accomplished through the payment of a ransom. Jesus Christ's death on the cross is seen as the payment that freed believers from the power of sin and death. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that believers are redeemed and set free from bondage.

Result

The result of propitiation is that sinners are reconciled to God and have peace with Him. Through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, believers are forgiven of their sins and declared righteous before God. The result of redemption is that believers are set free from the power of sin and death. Through Jesus Christ's payment on the cross, believers are redeemed from the curse of the law and brought into a new relationship with God. Both propitiation and redemption result in believers being saved and reconciled to God.

Application

Propitiation and redemption have practical implications for the lives of believers. Propitiation reminds believers of the seriousness of sin and the need for a sacrifice to atone for it. It also reminds believers of the love of God in providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. Redemption reminds believers of the power of Jesus Christ's death to set them free from the bondage of sin and death. It also reminds believers of the need to live in light of their new identity as redeemed children of God.

Relationship to Other Doctrines

Propitiation and redemption are closely related to other doctrines in Christian theology. Propitiation is closely related to the doctrine of atonement, which teaches that Jesus Christ's death on the cross reconciled sinners to God. Redemption is closely related to the doctrine of salvation, which teaches that Jesus Christ's death on the cross saved believers from the power of sin and death. Both propitiation and redemption are central to the Christian faith and are foundational to other doctrines such as justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, propitiation and redemption are two important concepts in Christian theology that have distinct meanings and implications. Propitiation refers to the act of appeasing God's wrath through a sacrifice, while redemption refers to the act of buying back or paying a ransom to free someone from bondage. Both propitiation and redemption are accomplished through Jesus Christ's death on the cross and result in believers being reconciled to God and set free from the power of sin and death. These concepts have practical implications for the lives of believers and are closely related to other doctrines in Christian theology. Propitiation and redemption are central to the Christian faith and are essential for understanding the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.