The atonement is not a dry theological topic for the dusty halls of the university and seminary. It is a vibrant picture of the love of God.--I John 4-10 - In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.--Salvation requires atonement - paying for our sins - earning eternal righteousness - precisely what we could not do for ourselves.--Romans 5-6-8 - For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.