The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

Readings on Christ (continued)

Christus Victor : The Warrior Who Is Messiah

Ps. 68.10 - You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. Ps. 110.1-2 - The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! [ Christus Victor’s ] central theme is the idea of the Atonement as a Divine conflict and victory; Christ– Christus Victor –fights against and triumphs over the evil powers of the world, the ‘tyrant’ under which mankind is in bondage and suffering, and in him God reconciles the world to himself . . . . The background of the idea is dualistic; God is pictured as in Christ carrying through a victorious conflict against powers of evil which are hostile to his will. This constitutes Atonement, because the drama is a cosmic drama, and the victory over the powers bring to pass a new relation, a relation of reconciliation, between God and the world; and, still more, because in a measure the hostile powers are regarded as in the service of the will of God the Judge of all, and the executants of his judgment. Seen from this side, the triumph over the opposing powers is regarded as a reconciling of God himself; he is reconciled by the very act in which he reconciles the world to himself.

~ Gustaf Aulen, Christus Victor . New York: MacMillan Publishers, 1969. pp. 20-21.

The Risen Messiah Himself Is Our Life

Col. 3.1-4 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Let us keep in mind that instead of giving us one object after another, God gives his Son to us. Because of this, we can always lift up our hearts and look to the Lord, saying, “Lord, You are my way; Lord, You are my truth; Lord, You are my life. It is you, Lord, who is related to me, not your things.” May we ask God to give us grace that we may see Christ in all spiritual things. Day by day we are convinced that aside