Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 115
115 entire basis of the doctrine of Atonement rests on the assumption that Jesus willingly suffered crucifixion to atone for the sins of mankind. But since he did not, of his own free choice, hang on the Cross, there has therefore been no atonement. . Christians generally advance the plea that there was no question of compulsion when Jesus himself said: "Nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt. " We agree that it was so, as we expect no prophet to resist the will of God. When. Jesus saw that God had willed that he should hang on the. Cross, he submitted to the Lord God saying: "Thy will be done. " But that at least proves the fact that Jesus did not offer atonement of his own free will, and there is certainly no atonement at the instance of God; it is valid only when the person offering it does so of his own volition. The Messiah very clearly asserts that it is not his desire to offer atonement. It is quite another thing that he agreed under pressure. It sounds exactly like a man handing out his cash with a smiling countenance to burglars holding him up in a forest; he knows that one word of protest from him, and they would kill him then and there. It does not at all mean that he is giving them his money with a willing heart. The question, therefore, is not that God made him agreeable to it by force. . The question is whether Jesus was agreeable to it of his own volition and free will. If Jesus had offered it of his own free choice, he will be deemed to have made the redemption and not otherwise. The above-quoted references make it evident that the Messiah (peace be on him) made it clear that he was not willing, to be crucified. Whatever, therefore, took place was due to a compelling factor and this totally nullifies the theory of redemption. . Some Christians are wont to characterize the Messiah's unwillingness as a temporary state of his mind which, they