The Sacrifice of the Cross
As taught in the Anglican / Episcopal tradition
Teaching the Anglican understanding of Christ's 'one oblation of himself once offered' for the sins of the world.
How does the death of Jesus Christ on a Roman cross two thousand years ago constitute a final and sufficient remedy for the brokenness of the human condition today? This is the central question that the Anglican tradition addresses with both liturgical precision and theological depth. In the Anglican understanding, the Sacrifice of the Cross is not merely an unfortunate end to a moral teacher’s life, nor is it a cold transaction in a celestial courtroom. Rather, it is the "one, full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world." This lesson explores the doctrine of the Atonement—the "At-one-ment" of God and humanity—through the lens of the Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as both Priest and Victim.
By the end of this lesson
- **Identify** the specific scriptural anchors in the New Testament that define Christ’s death as a "propitiation" and "sacrifice."
- **Distinguish** between the concepts of *expiation* (the cleansing of sin) and *propitiation* (the turning away of wrath) within the Anglican liturgical and confessional framework.
- **Explain** the theological significance of Article XXXI of the Thirty-Nine Articles regarding the finality of Christ's oblation.
- **Articulate** the relationship between the Incarnation (the Word made flesh) and the Sacrifice of the Cross in Anglican thought.
- **Trace** the historical development of the "satisfaction" theory of atonement from Anselm of Canterbury to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
- **Defend** the doctrine of the "Full, Perfect, and Sufficient Sacrifice" against contemporary critiques that view the Cross as "divine child abuse."
- **Apply** the theology of the Cross to the daily life of the believer, specifically regarding the practice of repentance, the reception of the Eucharist, and the ethics of suffering.
- **Compare** the Anglican "via media" (middle way) regarding the sacrifice of the Mass with Roman Catholic and more radical Reformed positions.
Scripture
The full lesson, its study guide and questions, and an AI tutor that answers from Scripture with citations are free with an account.