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Atonement—cherishing our oneness with God
How can anyone ever expect to be good enough to deserve the depth of God’s affection for us? Some wrongs people commit seem too full of evil to be forgiven. In fact, any wrong at all is unjust before God, who is Love and always loves. Yet, without total freedom from evil-doing, how can anyone ever truly be saved from the effects of bad behavior? Even murmuring, doubting, and withholding grace may be unthinkable before a God who is always good.
Jesus’ supreme act of sacrifice on the cross is the answer to these questions for those who believe in him. For the past two millennia, Christians have believed it but have had difficulty explaining it. They have devised numerous “doctrines of atonement,” but the Christian church as a whole has never agreed on the “right” explanation. One of the troubling unresolved issues in some of the classic doctrines of atonement is how Jesus’ crucifixion absolves someone of his or her own mistakes. Especially when someone who claims to “believe in Jesus” goes right on terrorizing others, it is difficult to imagine how Jesus’ suffering make everything OK! In fact, despite all these doctrinal explanations, it still remains a long leap of faith for many to consider how Jesus’ dying has anything to do with our own mistakes.
About the author
Shirley Paulson is a Christian Science practitioner and has a Master of Theological Studies degree in Christian history from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

April 11, 2011 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Jodi Crump Beatty, Jo Worthington, Judy Little, Nancy Malard, Marilyn McPherson
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How does the Christ save in daily life?
Kim Shippey, Senior Writer
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A new era
Russ Gerber
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Citing Mary Baker Eddy
The Editors
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Religion coverage increasing
Adelle M. Banks
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How useful is religion?
Anthony Whitehouse
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The blessings of unity
Beth Carey
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A new adventure in our life
By Kaśka Michaëlis
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Sin spelled out
Madora Kibbe
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Your questions about Church
Colleen Douglass, Tony Lobl
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Fearless prayer for North Africa and the Middle East
By Rosalie E. Dunbar, News Editor
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Do we need a Savior?
By Madelon Maupin
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When Christ transforms character
By Brian Talcott
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Atonement—cherishing our oneness with God
By Shirley Paulson
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No need for self-condemnation—God loves you!
By Amy Richmond
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Singing = Happiness
By Lily Oyer
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Thank you, God!
Patricia
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I attend a different church—and love Christian Science
Rebecca Dragon
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Granddaughter hears perfectly now
Lamay Kent
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Pain and lump under arm healed
Pamela Joy Concar
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When my little daughter helped me
Peter Ramsbottom
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A food crisis—and healing answers
From the Editors