Rita Nakashima Brock, Rebecca Ann Parker, and Governmental Atonement Theology

157 Pages·2016·1.06 MB·English

by  Andrew John Blosser

Andrews University
Digital Commons @ Andrews University
Master's Theses Graduate Research
2015
Rita Nakashima Brock, Rebecca Ann Parker, and
Governmental Atonement Theology
Andrew John Blosser
Andrews University, [email protected]
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ABSTRACT

RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK, REBECCA ANN PARKER, AND
GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY

by
Andrew Blosser

Adviser: Denis Fortin
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Thesis
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Title: RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK, REBECCA ANN PARKER, AND
GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY

Name of the researcher: Andrew Blosser
Name and degree of the faculty adviser: Denis Fortin, Ph.D.
Date completed: March 2015

The writings of Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Parker have perspicaciously
highlighted challenges that atonement theology faces in its interface with the experiences
of abused women and children. These thinkers have alerted the theological community to
the fact that an atonement model which commends or valorizes the divinely-mandated
suffering of an innocent victim (Jesus) can nefariously encourage domestic abuse victims
to accept their own abuse, as if it were God’s will. Brock and Parker therefore
recommend abandoning language which attaches any salvific significance to the Cross in
atonement.
This thesis explores and recommends an alternative form of theological
language—called “governmental atonement theology”—which may ameliorate the
problems noted by Brock and Parker. This study briefly examines the history and
evolution of the governmental view from its early moorings in the theology of Hugo
Grotius, up to its contemporary adaptation by René Girard. The focus then shifts to
selected biblical expressions of the governmental view. Finally, this thesis demonstrates
ways in which the governmental view can present the Cross as a saving event for abuse
victims, while not implicating God in abuse.
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK, REBECCA ANN PARKER, AND
GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY

A Thesis
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts

by
Andrew Blosser
2015
© Copyright by Andrew Blosser 2015
All Rights Reserved
RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK, REBECCA ANN PARKER, AND
GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY

A thesis
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Master of Arts

by
Andrew Blosser

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:

_________________________
Denis Fortin, Ph.D., Adviser

_________________________
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.

_________________________ ______________________
Ante Jerončić, Ph.D. Date approved
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1

Background to the Problem ............................................................................. 1
Problem ............................................................................................................ 5
Purpose ............................................................................................................ 6
Limitations ....................................................................................................... 7
Methodology .................................................................................................... 8

2. THE ATONEMENT THEOLOGY OF RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK AND
REBECCA ANN PARKER .................................................................................... 9

Prolegomena in Brief ....................................................................................... 9
Beginning with the Victim .......................................................................... 9
Re-Evaluation of Atonement Christology ................................................ 14
A Process Understanding of Divine Action .............................................. 19
Rejection of Sacrifice ................................................................................ 25
Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 28
Ambiguity on the Necessity of Christian Atonement ............................... 32
Historical Distortions ................................................................................ 33
Failure to Address the Problem of Relationship to God ........................... 34
Localization of the Meaning of Atonement .............................................. 35
Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 39

3. HUGO GROTIUS, ELLEN WHITE, AND RENÉ GIRARD: A FRAMEWORK
OF GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY ...................................... 41

Introduction .................................................................................................... 41
Hugo Grotius ................................................................................................. 42
Christ’s Death a Punishment ..................................................................... 44
The Divine Governor ................................................................................ 46
The Nature of God’s Justice ..................................................................... 48
Ellen White .................................................................................................... 51
A Moral Government of Love .................................................................. 52
White’s Variegated View of Atonement................................................... 56
René Girard .................................................................................................... 65
Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 73

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4. GOVERNMENTAL ATONEMENT THEOLOGY FOR VICTIMS .............. 75

Introduction .................................................................................................... 75
Christological Identification .......................................................................... 76
Identification=Victimization? ................................................................... 78
“The Crucified Woman” ........................................................................... 83
Did Jesus Choose Abuse? ......................................................................... 85
Forensic Justice for Victims .......................................................................... 87
The Cross as Divine Judgment on Abusers .............................................. 89
The Cross Creates God’s “Right to Forgive” ........................................... 92
Biblical Depictions of the Right to Forgive .............................................. 93
A Court Scene with the Moral Governor ................................................ 103
Victims Empowered to Be Forgivers .......................................................... 106
Should Victims Forgive Abusers? .......................................................... 107
Two Objections to Forgiveness as Empowerment.................................. 111
How Can Victims Forgive? .................................................................... 116
The Effects of Victims’ Inclusion into Christ ......................................... 118
Conclusion ................................................................................................... 129

4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ................................................................... 130

Summary ...................................................................................................... 130
Conclusions and Recommendations for Further Research .......................... 131

BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 135

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