Abstract
Traditional values of atonement have come under attack recently. Not only have specific theories have been criticized, but some writers reject the very idea of atonement. Since some arguments to this effect have been based on scientific knowledge of the world, it is important to develop an understanding of atonement that makes contact with the modern science-theology dialogue. In this article, that is done as part of the chiasmic cosmology program in which the universe is seen in the context of a theology of the cross. Sin is described here as a threat to creation, and a view of atonement stressing the idea of "new creation" is presented. This involves a reorientation toward God's intended goal of the evolutionary development of humanity and the world, which sin had thrown off course. The work of Christ is then seen as the descent of the Creator in order to re-create, the cross-resurrection event paralleling God's initial creatio ex nihilo. The effects of this work on humanity are the death of the human as sinner and the new life of the believer reconciled to God. This article concludes with brief discussions of the Christ-Adam relationship, the new creation theme in other models of atonement, and the cosmic scope of atonement.