<p>In Christianity, reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the life and death of Jesus Christ.</p>
<p>This concept is rooted in Jewish thought, where atonement was closely linked with animal sacrifice and later with righteous living and martyrdom</p>
<p>There is no formal doctrine of the atonement within Christianity, and interpretations have varied throughout Christian history.</p>
<p>The idea of Christ's death as a sacrifice, delivering mankind from sin, is found in the New Testament and has remained a predominant theme in both Roman Catholic and Reformation Churches.</p>
<p>Another understanding of the atonement based on scripture stresses the triumph of Christ's life and death over the forces of evil, or, in some contemporary interpretations, the overcoming of alienation.</p>
<p>Other interpretations focus on the exemplary nature of Christ's life and death, or on the powers of God's love revealed in him to transform believers.</p>[[Category:Misc]]