Atonement (satisfaction view)

The satisfaction theory of atonement is a theory in Christian theology that Jesus Christ suffered the Crucifixion as a substitute for human sin, satisfying God due to Christ's infinite merit. The theory draws primarily from the works of Anselm of Canterbury. It has been traditionally taught in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed traditions of Western Christianity. Theologically and historically, the word "satisfaction" does not mean gratification as in common usage, but rather "to make restitution": mending what has been broken, or paying back what was taken. Since one of God's characteristics is justice, affronts to that justice must be atoned for. It is thus connected with the legal concept of balancing out an injustice.