Reconciliation, in
Christian theology, is an element of
salvation that refers to the results of
atonement. Reconciliation is the end of the estrangement, caused by
original sin, between
God and
humanity.
John Calvin describes reconciliation as the peace between humanity and God that results from the expiation of religious sin and the
propitiation of God's wrath.
[1] Evangelical theologian
Philip Ryken describes reconciliation in this way; "It is part of the message of Salvation that brings us back together with God. ... God is the
author, Christ is the
agent and we are the
ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5)."
[2] Although it's only used five times in the
Pauline corpus (
Romans 5:10-11, 11:15, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Ephesians 2:14-17 and Colossians 1:19-22) it is an essential term, describing the "substance" of the
gospel and
salvation.
[3] Ralph Martin writing in the
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters, suggests reconciliation is at the center of
Pauline theology.
[4] Stanley Porter writing in the same volume suggests a conceptual link between the reconciliation
Greek word group
katallage (or
katallasso) and the Hebrew word
shalom, generally translated as 'peace.'
[5]
See also
References
- ↑ John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (II.16.2).
- ↑ Philip G. Ryken, The Message of Salvation (Leicester:Inter-Varsity Press, 2001): 118-119.
- ↑ J. I. Packer, God's Words (London:Christian Focus, 1998): 120.
- ↑ Ralph P. Martin, 'Center of Paul's Theology' Dictionary of Paul and his Letters (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993): 92-95.
- ↑ Stanley E. Porter, 'Peace, Reconciliation' Dictionary of Paul and his Letters (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993): 695-699.