The Atonement is primarily understood as a means of reconciling humanity with God, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin.

The traditional Christian view holds that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the central event that brings about the Atonement.

Substitutionary Atonement refers to the idea that Jesus Christ took on the sins of humanity upon Himself, becoming a substitute for them and bearing the punishment for their sins.

Propitiation refers to the act of appeasing God's wrath or satisfying His justice through the Atonement, making it possible for Him to forgive humanity's sins.

Expiation refers to the act of making amends for or paying the penalty for sin through the Atonement, satisfying the demands of divine justice.

Redemption refers to the act of redeeming or buying back humanity from the power of sin and death through the Atonement, restoring their relationship with God.

Anselm of Canterbury, an 11th-century theologian, developed the Satisfaction Theory of Atonement, which emphasizes the need for Christ's death to satisfy divine justice and restore the honor of God.

The Satisfaction Theory of Atonement holds that Christ's death paid the penalty for humanity's sins, satisfying divine justice and enabling God to forgive humanity.

John Calvin, a 16th-century theologian, developed the Penal Substitutionary Theory of Atonement, which emphasizes the idea that Christ's death was a substitutionary punishment for humanity's sins.

The Penal Substitutionary Theory of Atonement holds that Christ's death was a substitutionary punishment for humanity's sins, satisfying divine justice and enabling God to forgive humanity.

Peter Abelard, a 12th-century theologian, developed the Moral Influence Theory of Atonement, which emphasizes the transformative effect of Christ's life, death, and resurrection on humanity's moral nature.

The Moral Influence Theory of Atonement holds that Christ's life, death, and resurrection had a transformative effect on humanity's moral nature, inspiring them to live righteously and love one another.

Gustav Aulen, a 20th-century theologian, developed the Christus Victor Theory of Atonement, which emphasizes the victory of Christ over sin, death, and the powers of evil.

The Christus Victor Theory of Atonement holds that Christ's death was a decisive victory over sin, death, and the powers of evil, liberating humanity from their dominion.

Irenaeus of Lyon, a 2nd-century theologian, developed the Recapitulation Theory of Atonement, which emphasizes the idea that Christ recapitulated or reversed the fall of humanity through His life, death, and resurrection.

The Recapitulation Theory of Atonement holds that Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, reversed the fall of humanity, restoring them to their original state of communion with God.