Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Rita Nakashima Brock, Rebecca Ann Parker, And Governmental Atonement Theology, Andrew John Blosser

Master's Theses

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 …