Disciples affirm that the cross is central to salvation but do not mandate a specific theory of atonement. Penal substitution, moral influence, Christus Victor, and other models are all discussed in Disciples theological education. The denomination's academic institutions (Disciples Divinity House, Christian Theological Seminary, Lexington Theological Seminary) engage with the full range of atonement scholarship.

Weekly communion keeps the death of Christ central to Disciples worship, but the interpretation of that death is not constrained by creed. Progressive Disciples may be more interested in atonement models that emphasize solidarity, liberation, and justice rather than forensic punishment. Traditional members affirm substitutionary atonement in more classical terms.