Source: “Salvation Not Purchased: Overcoming the Ransom Idea to Rediscover the Original Gospel Teaching”, By Stephen Finlan, 2020.
Introduction And Assumptions About God.wav
This podcast, raises a crucial concern about the harmful effects of certain Christian beliefs, particularly those surrounding atonement. The author argues that the idea of salvation being "purchased with blood" implies a stern and cruel God the Father, a concept that directly contradicts Jesus' teachings of a loving and forgiving God. This problematic belief, often rooted in unexamined assumptions about retribution and a transactional view of salvation, can lead to fear, confusion, and even a loss of faith. By contrasting these prevalent ideas with Jesus' own parables, like the Prodigal Son, the author emphasizes God's outrageous generosity, unconditional kindness, and desire to save people through love and forgiveness, not through demanded sacrifice or punishment. Ultimately, the text advocates for a re-examination of deeply ingrained beliefs to align them with the truth revealed by Jesus: that God is inherently merciful, and salvation is a freely given gift accessible through sincere faith and a loving heart.
Topic 1: The text expresses deep concern about certain Christian beliefs, particularly regarding atonement, which is the idea that "Jesus died for your sins." It critiques the notion that salvation was "purchased with blood," or that Jesus's death served as a "price" or "ransom." This perspective is deemed unhealthy, untrue, and unbiblical because it implies a stern, spiteful, or violent God the Father who would demand such a sacrificial payment. This creates a perceived gulf between a stern Father and a merciful Son, which is presented as contradictory to biblical teachings. The author argues that accepting this idea leads to fear of God, uncertainty about the afterlife, and judgmental attitudes toward others, directly opposing Jesus's teachings. The central issue is how such a concept slanders the character of God the Father, suggesting God is either weak (unable to forgive without payment) or cruel (unwilling to forgive without an innocent victim's suffering).
Topic 2: A crucial distinction is drawn between "belief" and "faith." Belief is described as mental, involving concepts and doctrines held in the mind. In contrast, faith is spiritual and relational, encompassing one's spiritual health, relationship with God, and how one treats others. Faith is considered deeper and more significant than mere belief. However, the text emphasizes that beliefs still matter profoundly. Unexamined or distorted beliefs can inflict damage on people's faith, leading to confusion about God's nature, making it difficult to trust God, and causing discouragement or even loss of confidence. Furthermore, harmful beliefs about God, such as perceiving God as vengeful or cruel, can ethically compromise individuals, potentially leading them to justify their own negative behaviors and cause psychological and ethical harm.
Topic 3: Jesus's teachings are highlighted as consistently revealing God's true nature as loving, merciful, and genuinely forgiving. Through his sayings and parables, Jesus conveyed that God actively desires to forgive and save people, and is fully capable of doing so. A prime example is the parable of the Prodigal Son, which profoundly illustrates God's shocking generosity and unconditional forgiveness. In this parable, the father welcomes his disrespectful son back with open arms, without demanding an apology, humiliation, or any form of submission or shame. Instead, he showers honors upon him, demonstrating a radical kindness that challenges conventional human expectations of authority and retribution. This portrayal shatters the idea of an authoritarian, demanding, or punishing God, emphasizing instead God's energetic love and strength to forgive, heal relationships, and transform lives.
Topic 4: Salvation is presented as a free gift from God, rather than something that must be purchased or earned through suffering. The text argues against the concept of a "payment system" or "penance imposed." This contrasts sharply with the "blood-purchase" concept, which is criticized for picturing God as harshly judgmental and even corrupt—needing a victim but satisfied with an innocent one. Jesus’s parables, including the Prodigal Son, the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin, are cited as evidence that God actively seeks out the lost to save them, without any hint of punishment, scolding, or demanding payment. The core message is God's immense love and generosity, indicating that God does not need to be paid or persuaded, but already loves humanity and extends salvation freely.
Topic 5: The author reframes Jesus's role as Savior, emphasizing that it stems from his divine identity and power as Creator, rather than primarily from his death on the cross. Jesus is described as the life-giver from the very beginning, the one "through whom all things were made." His healings throughout the Gospels are presented as primary images for salvation, signifying a gift of life and restoration to wholeness. This perspective suggests that Jesus did not "become" the Savior only after his crucifixion, implying there is no "magic" in his death itself that conferred this title upon him. This challenges an over-emphasis on the crucifixion, advocating instead for a focus on Jesus's entire life, his experience of God, and his teachings as central to understanding his saving significance.
Topic 6: While salvation is fundamentally God's free gift, the text underscores the critical role of human sincerity and faith in receiving it. Jesus frequently affirmed individuals by saying, "your faith has saved you," even in the context of miraculous healings. This is not interpreted as self-saving, but rather as Jesus generously acknowledging and including people's receptivity and active participation in the divine-human connection. Sincerity of heart, an honest recognition of the need for salvation, and genuine repentance are presented as crucial. This sincerity ensures that moral seriousness is driven by love for God, rather than by anxious fear of punishment, motivating individuals to willingly follow God's way and embody spiritual values.
Topic 7: The text strongly critiques the deeply ingrained human idea that justice requires retribution, particularly when applied to God. It argues that Jesus explicitly rejected the common belief that wrongdoing must be met with violent punishment. Instead, Jesus demonstrated God's compassion and desire to make people whole through healing and saving acts, without any underlying theology of retribution. Concepts of a "violent God" or God burning with wrath are identified as generating fear and distorting people's understanding of the gospel message, which is meant to dispel such pessimistic views. The author implies that if people believe God is vindictive, it can negatively impact their ethics, stifle their spirituality, and leave them emotionally wounded.
Topic 8: Jesus's purpose in coming to earth is characterized as testifying to the truth, revealing God, living out goodness, and demonstrating spiritual beauty by implanting and nurturing love. His revelation of truth extends beyond his teachings to encompass his entire way of living, particularly his intimate trust in God, whom he consistently referred to as "Father." This intimate relationship, which he shared with his disciples by speaking of "my Father and your Father," signifies that a childlike, accessible relationship with the spiritual Father is within reach for humanity. Truth itself is described as spiritually, mentally, and socially liberating, freeing people from harmful ideologies, oppressive groups, and false teachings.
Topic 9: The text posits that Christian ethics should be directly modeled on God's character, particularly God's generosity, forgiveness, and love. The understanding that God is loving and merciful is presented as foundational for believers to be able to reflect these qualities in their own lives. It is argued that if God demands forgiveness from humans, God must certainly be forgiving. Jesus's teachings emphasize familial love and care among all people, viewing them as "brothers" with a common "Father." Therefore, believing in a vengeful or angry God can distort ethics, hinder spirituality, and cause harm. Conversely, knowing God as forgiving enables believers to practice forgiveness themselves, especially in their prayer life and in restoring damaged relationships within the community.
Topic 10: One of Jesus's most neglected teachings is highlighted: his purpose was to testify to the truth and reveal God, not to "pay off God" or to suffer violence. The text argues that if Jesus's death were the only significant aspect of salvation, then his extensive teachings, encounters, and healings—which comprise the majority of the gospel narrative—would be rendered unimportant. However, these aspects of Jesus's life are depicted as profoundly significant, as they transformed countless lives. Jesus consistently linked salvation to people's spiritual choices, loyalties, gratitude, and love, often proclaiming "your faith has saved you" without any mention of a future sacrifice or payment. This emphasizes that salvation is available in the present moment through sincere faith and an honest heart.