Reply #21: The "died for you sins" stuff? Pretty much a later development.

[54anickel]

The earliest theory of atonement was the notion of a ransom to Satan, I can't remember the name of the theologian that proposed it, but it was based on verses that spoke of the Son of Man giving his life as ransom for many. He laid down his own (perfect) life to liberate (imperfect) mankind from slavery to Satan. Then there's the victory twist to the same story where Jesus defeats Satan in a spiritual battle, freeing man from slavery to Satan. The most common understanding today of a satisfaction atonement can mostly be atrributed to Anselm in the 11th century. Mankind owes a debt to God himself that only the perfect sacrifice, such as the sinless man-god Jesus could satisfy. The last theory is of healing, Paul Tillich is most credited with rediscovering this one and it's behind today's liberal/progressive theologies where Jesus' death on the cross demonstrates God's love and desire for the healing of creation and reconciliation with mankind.

The very early church struggled with the meaning of Jesus' death at the cross. The earliest manuscripts of Mark's gospel (the first written) don't even have the story of the resurrection. It simply ends at 16:8. The women find the tomb empty, run away scared and tell no one.