Tracing Divine Redemption: The Evolution of a Theological Doctrine

From ancient reflections to the ecumenical councils, Christianity has traversed an astonishing path in shaping the doctrine of redemption. This dogma—born from centuries of theological dialogue—has garnered fresh expression throughout church history. In the early Christian era, thinkers such as Tertullian and Augustine laid the foundations for understanding redemption as a process of restoring justice and reviving the disrupted divine order.

The idea received a remarkable boost in the works of Anselm of Canterbury and Thomas Aquinas, whose profound philosophical and juridical interpretations enriched the symbolism of the redemptive sacrifice. Their theological reflections led to the perception of redemption not merely as a metaphor, but as a necessity for reestablishing lost justice—where a transgression against divine majesty warranted endless atonement.

The final stage of this historical process was the establishment of the doctrine at the Council of Trent in the 16th century. There, the dogma of redemption was definitively affirmed as the cornerstone of Christian faith, demonstrating the intricate interconnection between issues of justice, ethics, and spiritual renewal. This doctrine continues to inspire believers, reminding them of the eternal struggle between sin and righteousness and of the transformative power of hope for redemption on the deepest aspects of the human soul.

What is the history of the introduction of the dogma of the redemption of humanity's sins by Christ in the Christian tradition? The evidence for the introduction of this dogma is rooted in a long process of theological reflection and development that began in the early Christian period and reached its final formulation during the era of the Western Church. Key stages in the development of this concept are associated with the names of Tertullian, Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury, and Thomas Aquinas. Their theological works and reflections laid the groundwork for the juridical interpretation of biblical images—the redemptive sacrifice brought by Christ on the cross “for the redemption” of people from the bondage of sin and death. This interpretation was framed in terms of justice and righteousness: original sin was viewed not only as an internal deficiency but also as a violation of the just order established by God, thereby necessitating endless atonement for the offense against divine honor.

A crucial milestone in the formation of the dogma was its proclamation as official doctrine at the Council of Trent (1545–1563), where questions regarding the redemptive sacrifice, its juridical essence, and its significance for salvation became the indisputable foundation of Christian teaching. Thus, the doctrine of redemption emerged as the result of an extended theological dialogue that addressed not only symbolic but also legal and ethical aspects of the redemptive sacrifice, culminating in a comprehensive teaching that aligns with divine majesty and the demands of justice.

Supporting citation(s):
“The key stages in the formation and establishment of this concept are associated with the names of Tertullian, Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury, and Thomas Aquinas—leading up to its proclamation as official doctrine of the Western Church at the Council of Trent (1545–1563). This concerns the juridical interpretation of the biblical images of ‘redemption’ brought by Christ on the cross ‘for the redemption’ of people from the bondage of sin and death, linked to the experience of fallen, passion-tormented humanity. According to the Western interpretation, original sin is the violation and transgression of the ‘just order’ established by God, and thus also an offense against divine majesty. The extent of culpability is determined by both the rank of the offended party (that is, God) and the legal norms of human society. The infinite greatness and justice of God demand infinite atonement for the transgression against divine honor.” (source: 1213_6061.txt)