Theories of redemption within analytic theology and some disregarded metaphors

In spite of hard and fast work with contemporary analytic methods analytic theologians show a very consistent traditionalist attitude, also in their scrutinizing of Christian doctrines. It is displayed in the article that all the four traditional interpretations of Redemption, viz., theories of the ransom, allowance of justice, exemplarism and of vicarious punishment especially, have the authority in their discussions while criticisms of some and all of them have place as well. The author acknowledges the presence of all these interpretations in Russian (predominantly the Synodal epoch) theology and suggests to test all of them against what he calls “Morris’ test”, i.e. their compatibility with Anselmian conception of God as the Most Perfect Being, the conception of creation and “certificates” from the Scripture. He also displays that none of them passes a test via all these rates and underscores that no juridical interpretation (in spite of all authorities) of the basic doctrine of Christian soteriology corresponds to either the conception of God as the personal Absolute or creationism. Instead, three soteriological images from the Gospels are emphasized that pass this verification without any hindrance, i.e. those wherein Jesus Christ’s self-immolation and victory are presented in fashions of the Shepherd, Warrior and Physician. The third image attracts more attention of the author inasmuch as it has become less sensible in theology.