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Introduction

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I John 3:8
Col. 2:15
Heb. 2:14-15

Questions:

(1) Why did the Son of God appear?
(2) In what sense was the cross a triumph?
(3) Why did the Son of God come to share our humanity?

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The tendency to view these scriptural statements as mythological. Even Reformation theologians give relatively little emphasis to Christ's triumph over the devil.

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First reason for lack of emphasis: the agenda of theologians for discussion of the significance of the work of Christ was quite settled by the late 12th C. Landmark interpretations of Anselm and Abelard.

Second reason: developments in reformation thinking in 16th and 17th C. in realm of application of the truth of the gospel to the victory of the believer over Satan.

Third reason and perhaps most important: discrediting of the Early Fathers' view of the atonement - the 'ransom to Satan' theory (Origen, Gregory of Nyssa). Irenaeus - Jesus reversed the victory of Satan over Adam. Ransom tradition continues throughout the early church until time of Reformation.  How did Christ overcome Satan?' to 'Did Christ's work terminate on man, or on God?' 

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Gustav Aulen tried to rehabilitate the Early Fathers' view. Maintained that historical theology in error to take Abelard or Anselm as definitive. Claimed a return to the view of Luther. However his great motive was to destroy the classical Protestant view - the substitutionary propitiatory sacrifice of Christ.

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Examination of the Gospel record of Jesus' conflict with Satan.

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I John 3:5,8;
4:9-10

The Apostolic understanding of the nature of His victory.

Conclusions of practical and contemporary relevance:

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(1) A theological implication.

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(2) A doxological implication.

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(3) A pastoral implication.

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(4) A missiological implication.

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Prayer