What is the satisfaction or commercial theory of the atonement?

Answer

Anselm of Canterbury (d. 1109) rejected the ransom theory of atonement that had prevailed for many generations and interpreted Jesus’ work on the cross through the perspective of the feudal honor/shame culture in which he lived. According to the satisfaction theory of atonement, God is owed complete honor in the form of absolute obedience. Humans are fallen both because they are descendants of Adam and Eve, who dishonored God by disobeying Him, and because of their own disobedience. God must be honored in a satisfactory manner.

There are only three ways in which people can properly honor God: act in complete obedience, give recompense, or suffer punishment. This poses a problem for the following reasons:

– No one can be entirely obedient, so we all bear a debt of honor to God.

– Complete obedience is the minimum requirement of what humans owe God, making it impossible to honor God “more”; we cannot provide recompense because we cannot earn more to settle our debt.

– As God is infinitely honorable, our punishment must be infinite.