The Ransom Of Christus Victor Atonement

The Patristic era began in c.100 and is considered to end either c.451, with the Council of Chalcedon, or c.700, when the Mediaeval Period began. Christianity at this point was under the Roman Empire, influenced by Graeco-Roman culture and the works of Greek philosophers, particularly Plato (McGrath, A. 2016, p.5). Christians were persecuted until the conversion of Constantine I to Christianity in c.312. Theological centres formed in Alexandria, Antioch, and Western North Africa (McGrath, A. 2016, p.5). During this period, the New Testament canon was closed, and many of the basic Christian doctrines were set out, such as the nature of Christ and the nature of the Trinity (Migliore, D. 2014, p.175). Christus Victor was the atonement theology prominent at the time, seated in the idea of conflict between God and evil (Migliore, D. 2014, p.188). There are three theologians who are particularly important in the development of the

Origen developed Irenaeus’ ideas, considering questions such as who the ransom was to be paid to. It could not be God who was holding humanity ransom, and thus it had to be Satan (McGrath, A. 2016, p.225), who had gained rights over humanity through Adam and the Fall. Humanity needed to be consigned back to God. Christ was without sin, but appeared as human, which disguised his divinity. When Satan overstepped his rights, by mistakenly assuming he owned Christ and let Him die, he forfeited any rights he had over humanity. Origen conceived Christ’s death and resurrection as a victory over evil and the powers holding humanity captive, more so than a ransom to be paid. The resurrection is the conquest over death, and therefore Satan (Kelly, J. 2001, p.186). During the period, the idea of the Harrowing of Hell, where Christ descended to Hell and freed the souls trapped there, was a very popular and powerful image (McGrath, A. 2016,