C. S. Lewis emphasizes a crucial distinction between the core Christian belief about Christ's death and the various theological theories attempting to explain it. The central belief, which Lewis terms the fundamental "formula" of Christianity, is that Christ's death somehow reconciled humanity with God, offering a fresh start, washing away sins, and ultimately disabling death itself. This, according to Lewis, is the essential tenet that Christians must believe and represents the main purpose of Christ's earthly arrival, even more so than his teaching.

In contrast, the numerous theological theories surrounding Christ's death are considered secondary explanations of how this reconciliation was achieved. Lewis likens these theories to the scientific understanding of nourishment; just as we benefit from food without needing to grasp the intricacies of vitamins and proteins, Christians believe in the efficacy of Christ's death regardless of their understanding of any specific atonement theory. These theories are not Christianity itself but rather attempts to articulate the mechanism behind the core belief.

Lewis stresses that the "thing itself"—the death of Christ and its believed effects—is infinitely more important than any theological explanation. He views Christ's death as a unique point where something beyond our comprehension broke into our world. While these theories can be helpful for understanding, they are ultimately inadequate to fully grasp the reality and should not be confused with the central Christian conviction. Furthermore, Lewis notes that no single theory is universally mandated, even within his own denomination. Therefore, the focus remains on the transformative power of Christ's death, while the explanations of its mechanics are considered less critical and open to diverse interpretations.

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