All atonement theories get it wrong by substituting beliefs about Jesus for the way (his virtues, values, and practices) of Jesus that he taught us by word and deed. 

The Great Commandment and Golden Rule, which he said unequivocally were most important, were abandoned as the model of how to follow him as he told us (which was transformational), and following him became a mere cognitive assent to believing the right things about Jesus (which was transactional). 

Jesus never intended to die for our sins or save us by his death.  He told us to follow him and go and do likewise, affirming that our liberation is the result of living by taking our own responsibility to inculcate his virtues and values into ourselves, not lazily claiming that we don’t need to take up our own cross by thinking he did it all for us.

By creating a religion of beliefs about Jesus rather than a lifestyle of living by the way of Jesus, the powers that be effectively undermined Jesus’ egalitarian-promoting and empire-crushing ethic and preserved their own place of privilege and status, convincing people that beliefs about Jesus would save them rather than their need to actually follow his ways — thereby making them placid in their actions and certain in their thoughts that salvation comes from what you believe and not by how you behave.

— Rev. Bret S. Myers, 3/11/2024

The Rev. Bret Myers is a UCC minister. He has served in various ministry positions since 1985, was ordained in the United Methodist Church, and later also received standing in the United Church of Christ. He has served churches of all sizes, doing so in urban, suburban, and rural environs, and seeks to create churches that are: committed to peace and justice, welcoming and loving of persons, and seeking to increase their spiritual understanding of other religions and cultures.