Moral Influence Theory (Atonement)
The cross saves by melting hard hearts into repentance and love
The moral influence theory holds that Christ's passion saves chiefly by its power to move humanity, drawing people to repentance and love through the supreme example of self-giving. It is often associated with Peter Abelard. The traditions differ over its sufficiency: theologians in the satisfaction and penal-substitution streams have disputed it, arguing that example alone does not account for how sin is dealt with before God.
Key passages(14)
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, in Three Parts · Jonathan Edwards
The Letters and Sermons of Leo the Great · Pope Leo the Great
XIV Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvation · Jonathan Edwards
Expositions on the Book of Psalms · Augustine of Hippo
Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom
On Christian Doctrine · Augustine of Hippo
Commentary on Galatians · Martin Luther
Letters of St. Augustin · Augustine of Hippo