His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains clearly that redemption is the foundation of Christian faith — it is the unlimited work of God for the salvation of fallen humanity. Since sin is directed against the infinite God, only an infinite ransom could atone for it — therefore, the Word of God became incarnate and died for mankind.

2. The fall of man and the necessity of incarnation

Man sinned through disobedience and was sentenced to death, for “the wages of sin is death.” God’s justice required that punishment, but His mercy desired man’s salvation. Therefore, the Son of God took flesh to bear the punishment on our behalf and restore communion with God.

3. The meaning of redemption in both covenants

The Old Testament sacrifices were symbols of true redemption, where the sinner laid his hands on the sacrifice confessing his sins, transferring guilt symbolically to it. In the New Testament, the perfect redemption was completed by the crucifixion of Christ, who died instead of all humanity.

4. Rejection of the false idea about the ransom

His Holiness clarifies that the ransom was not paid to the devil as some fathers like Origen claimed, for the devil owns nothing; he himself is under judgment. The ransom was paid to divine justice because sin is against God alone.

5. Response to rationalist heresies

The Pope warns against prideful reasoning that rejects the understanding of the Church Fathers, affirming that theology is founded on faith and the apostolic tradition, not on mere intellect.

6. Redemption is not just a “sacrifice of love”

He stresses that the cross is indeed a sacrifice of love, but also an act of divine justice — Christ died in our place to bear the penalty of our sins, not just symbolically to show love. Divine love appeared in His self-offering for us.

7. Warning against saying we “own” Christ’s blood

He clarifies that Christ’s blood was not given to us as payment, but for us as atonement. We are beneficiaries of redemption, not its possessors. The price was paid for us, not to us.

8. The distinction between Christ’s sufferings

He distinguishes between Christ’s redemptive sufferings on the cross, which concern salvation, and His human sufferings like insult and persecution. Humans share only in the second type — in the sufferings of service and holiness — not in the redemptive act itself.

9. Refusing to mix redemption with the Eucharist

He clarifies that Communion is participation in the results of redemption, not in its act, for the redemptive work was accomplished once and for all on the cross.

10. Death after redemption

Death is no longer punishment but a passage into eternal life, for it has become the way to heavenly glory through Christ’s perfect redemption.

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