It appears that the cross takes absolute preeminence in the fundamentalist's understanding of atonement and eclipses the 33 years of Jesus' life in the redemptive process. However, as a recovering fundamentalist myself, I see the cross as a part of the whole rather than the single efficacious act.
In one view humanity has a legal problem; they are guilty sinners in God the Father's courtroom and someone innocent (I.e. Jesus) must suffer the punishment and take away God's wrath. (I realize this a simplistic view, but it basically represents the idea). Hence Christ'a death on the cross accomplishes that If a person acknowledges by faith and accepts that they have a legal sin problem and that Jesus has paid the price.
In my view there is no legal problem at all, but an organic problem.
You see, from before the creation of the universe God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) have existed in a relationship of supreme love, joy & acceptance. Their desire was that persons like them (not other gods, but beings made in their image) would be included, drawn into their life and enjoy supreme love, joy and acceptance in them. Which is the reason we are alive!
However, even after mankind's creation, it was necessary that one from within their circle of life would become human; united with creation, and transform humanity from being "only creation" to a new creation united with God in Christ.
Therefore, when the Eternal Son; in whom all things were created and in whom all things have their being, becomes man He joins himself; indeed He joins the entire Trinity to humanity. To quote the early church father Irenaeus,
“Therefore, as I have already said, He caused man (human nature) to cleave to and to become, one with God. For unless man had overcome the enemy of man, the enemy would not have been legitimately vanquished. And again: unless it had been God who had freely given salvation, we could never have possessed it securely. And unless man had been joined to God, he could never have become a partaker of incorruptibility. For it was incumbent upon the Mediator between God and men, by His relationship to both, to bring both to friendship and concord, and present man to God, while He revealed God to man. For, in what way could we be partaken of the adoption of sons, unless we had received from Him through the Son that fellowship which refers to Himself, unless His Word, having been made flesh, had entered into communion with us? Wherefore also He passed through every stage of life, restoring to all communion with God” (III, XVIII, 7). and again
"He became what we are that we might become what He is in Himself"
Therefore our issue has never been to appease God or resolve a legal problem, but, to be transformed into a person capable of living in God's love!
Look around you. Isn't that how real life and relationships work? Just because you solve a legal problem doesn't mean you are at one with the person you had the problem. Think about your children. What is it you truly want in your relationship and how do you accomplish it? What I want for my children is a true at-one-ness; the ability for them to "know" my love and care for them. I want them to experience my sense of pride and "liking" of them as a person. What I want is to be able to take my heart and put it in their chest so they can feel for themselves what I feel for them. I want to take my mind and put it in their head so they can "know" about themselves what I know about them. I know I'm explaining this badly but I hope you get the picture.
This was exactly the goal of the triune God in the creation and atonement of humanity; that we would know Him as He is and know ourselves as He knows us. And, this is exactly the what Christ is doing in His creation, incarnation, death, resurrection, giving of His Spirit and His containing ministry as the Incarnate Son. That through His union (truly organic & spiritual union) with us He would "take what is Hjs and make it known to us". And what is His.....His relationship with His Father in the Spirit.
The author also owns and operates an online web store at PipeLighters.net
