Not a done deal.

Having puzzled over the dynamics of atonement since childhood, I thank you for Heidi Schlumpf's cover story "For us and our salvation?" (March). I was appalled that some view atonement theology as sanctifying violence because of God's supposed use of torture and murder to save the world. I suspect the willingness to suffer rather than stoop to perpetuating evil is what God sanctifies.

What we choose to suffer for is crucial. If a cause is just or a situation unavoidable, then suffering and self-sacrifice can be the higher calling, but to consent to abuse and suffering in lieu of taking personal responsibility may be neglectful or stupid. If I'm slandered for something God calls me to do, Jesus' example reminds me to stay the course.

Christian faith is full of uncomfortable paradox. Did God will Jesus' death? How about the child killed in a car crash, the soldier in war, or those lost in recent mudslides? Perhaps the answer is no and yes. Yes, in the sense that God created laws that govern creation and human relation ships--laws presumably in accord with God's plan. Careless drivers kill. If we resolve differences through wars, people die. None of this means that God personally wishes us harm.

Part of God's plan apparently was for us to be able to muck things up. If God prevented us from harming one another, life would be totally predictable, and then, wouldn't god be doing our work for us?

Of course we're called to alleviate suffering, but some is unavoidable. To suggest that it's dangerous to join our suffering to Jesus' only deprives people of the font from which to draw their strength.

What bothers me about atonement theology are those who focus on the "done deal" aspect of it--"sacrifice made, debt paid, I'm saved"--and go about a life that does little to reflect Jesus' example.

Pat Murray

Spring Valley, N.Y.

I was glad that you published "For us and our salvation?" It gives a different way of looking at the Passion of Christ. As a former Protestant, I was raised with the view that God is a monster. What else would a child think after hearing hours of what horrible sinners we all are and the need to be washed in blood to become acceptable to God?

As a Catholic, I have learned that God is our Father. When human beings fell away from him, he sent his Son to show us how to live. Life can be hard and dangerous when a person stands up for what is right. Jesus taught us to stand up even though a brutal death can be the result Jesus showed us that death does not conquer when he rose from the dead.

Mardell Rainey

Milpitas, Calif.

I read Schlumpf's cover story with interest. Being a Franciscan, I have a bias toward the Franciscan tradition explaining the Incarnation.

Contrary to Anselm, Franciscan Blessed John Duns Scotus, a doctor of the church, did not argue that the Incarnation was necessary for the atonement or satisfaction for sin. Rather, in the mind of Scotus, the Incarnation was an unconditional expression of God's infinite love, in no way dependent upon the sin of our first parents.

For Scotus the Incarnation was willed from all eternity as an expression of God's love and desire for consummated union with creation. The cross is an expression of God's compassion and love rather than an appeasement of God's anger or form of compensation for God's injured majesty. Because of sin, Jesus became the suffering servant. The cross is an expression of Jesus' total emptying of himself in love.

Joseph Maloney, O.F.M. Cap.

Detroit, Mich.

I am troubled by Schlumpf's cover story. It seems to me that the scriptures are clear that Jesus died for us and that the early Christian community believed in atonement. As part of my Lenten journey this year, I am using the Little Rock Scripture Study on the Passion and Resurrection narratives of Jesus, and last year I read Paul's letters to the Galatians and to the Romans. If you want to take issue with atonement, I think you have to take issue with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul, as well as their communities.

The scriptures also seem to be clear, to me at least, that the concept of atonement does not justify violence.

I believe that Jesus shed his blood for us as his part of the new covenant. Our responsibility in this covenant relationship is to follow a way of life built on love. Jesus taught that the greatest act of love, as he demonstrated, is to give up our lives for another.

Bob Ashdown

Herndon, Va.