IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON October 11, 2010 Issue

UNDERSTANDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

MADELON MAUPIN

WHILE A TEACHING ON ATONEMENT might initially appear far removed from a contemporary world of technology and speed, this Bible Lesson, titled "Doctrine of Atonement," reveals its urgency, since it's at the heart of understanding our relationship with God.

The ancient rite of atonement was the holiest of days to the Israelites—an opportunity for the high priest to both purify the sanctuary and kill a scapegoat. Through these two practices, people would be absolved of their sins. As Leviticus 16 instructed, this was done through the blood of an animal sacrifice; then sins were symbolically transferred to a goat, which was later turned loose in the wilderness—a "scapegoat."

The good news of Christ Jesus changes everything. St. Paul declares to the Romans in the Golden Text (and I found this New Living Translation particularly enlightening): "Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you." Enslavement to sin is our past, as we apply the teachings Jesus proclaimed.

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