Atonement & Ransom

The Syro-Malabar Church teaches the atonement according to the satisfaction theory developed by Anselm and refined by Catholic theology. Christ's suffering and death constitute a satisfaction to God for human sin. By His death, Christ rendered to God a compensation of infinite worth for the offense committed against God's honor and justice by human sin.

This satisfaction is not merely substitutionary punishment (as in some Reformed views) but a reparation of the breach between God and humanity caused by sin. Christ, being both God and human, was uniquely able to offer this satisfaction. His death was voluntary, done out of love, and directed toward reconciliation between God and humanity.

The Eucharist is understood as the perpetual sacramental re-presentation (not re-sacrifice) of Christ's one sacrifice on the cross. In the Chaldean liturgy (Holy Qurbana), the bread and wine are consecrated through the invocation of the Holy Spirit (epiclesis) and become the body and blood of Christ. This sacramental offering makes present the redemptive sacrifice of Christ for the sanctification of the faithful. The Eucharist applies the benefits of Christ's redemptive work to believers in each generation.