ATONEMENT

Definitions:

Atonement

–noun

1. satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends

2. (sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, esp. as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.

3. Christian Science. the experience of humankind's unity with God exemplified by Jesus Christ.

4. Archaic. reconciliation; agreement.

atonement. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary1.classic.reference.com/browse/atonement (accessed: May 04, 2009).

QUOTES:

Charles W. Colson:

""The challenges of anti-theism and radical Islam could not come at a worse time for the Church, because most Christians do not understand what they believe, why they believe it and why it matters. How can a Christianity that is not understood be practiced? And how can it be presented in its true character as peace, freedom and joy? How are skeptics to understand Christianity's positive aspects?

Tragically,postmodern culturehas infected and weakened the Church, particularly in the West. Spain, once the most Catholic country in Europe, has become, within a generation, among the most secularized. A recent report among Spain's bishops lays the blame squarely on heretical teaching as to the nature of Christ and His atoning work. Likewise, when I asked a priest friend why church membership was declining so rapidly in once rigidly Catholic Ireland, he answered, "Because the priests don't preach the Gospel."

Even evangelicals, known for their fidelity to Scripture, have not been exempt from postmodernist influence. Both George Gallup and George Barna, eminent pollsters and close Church observers, have in recent years decried the declining biblical literacy in the Church. The majority of evangelicals - whom Barna calls "born-again Christians" - do not believe in absolute truth."

Colson, Charles W. The Faith: Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, 2008, Page 28.