Sacrifice – Dr. Eitan Bar | Bible Scholar

Biblical Repentance and the Day of Atonement

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:59:41 +0000

Every year in Israel, life comes to a complete halt for one day. Shops close. Roads empty. Even the noise of ordinary existence falls silent. For twenty-four hours, an entire nation stops—not as individuals in isolation, but together. Whether religious Jew or secular, citizen or outsider, everyone is caught up…

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Guilt Offering (ASHAM) & Purification/Sin Offering (HATA’AT): What You Must Know

Dr. Eitan Bar — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:57:15 +0000

The rich variety of sacrifices described in the Torah reveals a far more beautiful and relational pattern — a way for humanity to draw near to God in gratitude, worship, restoration, and communion. Each category of sacrifice served a different purpose, and remarkably, each finds its ultimate fulfillment in the…

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Life is in the Blood (Leviticus 17:11)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:17:46 +0000

We live in a world where the sight of blood rarely brings comfort. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. News broadcasts spill it across our screens in stories of war and terrorism. Video games glorify it. Movies drench it across battlefields, back alleys, and broken bodies. Blood, in modern consciousness,…

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Does “All” Really Mean All? “Universal Atonement” vs. “Limited Atonement”

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:25:23 +0000

The gospel, especially in Protestant and Catholic conservative circles, is often presented as an offer limited to a select group. For instance, “Limited Atonement“ in Calvinism is the belief that Jesus’ sacrifice was only for the elect—those predestined by God to be saved (from hellfire, in their paradigm). It teaches…

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What Are We Saved From?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:12:04 +0000

If you are a fundamentalist Protestant or a conservative Catholic, you have likely been taught that salvation means being saved from the Augustinian-Calvinist version of hell – a sadistic eternal torment in hellfire. However, the Bible consistently teaches that salvation is tangible, and that we are saved not from eternal…

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Why Did Jesus Die?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:04:46 +0000

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Leviticus 17:11) Life is in the Blood Some things in life are inseparable. You can’t…

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Why God Allowed Sin in the First Place?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:17:51 +0000

“I’m only human. Of flesh and blood, I’m made. Human. Born to make mistakes.“ (Human, Song by The Human League, 1986) Imagine a game where you put someone in an Escape Room, telling them that unless they figure it out, you’ll burn the room with them in it. It sounds…

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How Can One Atone for All?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:22:03 +0000

A significant misconception within Calvinistic theology is the idea that Jesus’ power to atone for sins must lay in the extent of cosmic suffering, pain, and abuse he endured from God. This concept suggests that the magnitude of human sin necessitated Jesus’ extreme suffering. Calvinist preacher and former president of…

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What Most Christians Get Wrong About “Worship”

Dr. Eitan Bar — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:05:26 +0000

What images come to your mind when you hear the term “worship night”? Regrettably, contemporary Western Christian thought frequently equates “worship” with amplified music and congregational singing in a venue bathed in vibrant lights. While this is undoubtedly fun, it is a far cry from the scriptural understanding of “worship.”…

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Love as Evidence of God’s Existence

Dr. Eitan Bar — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:16:06 +0000

Does the universal regard for sacrificial love as the highest moral value suggest the existence of God? Love, a concept often portrayed through various art forms, including literature, songs, and films, presents a compelling argument for the existence of the God of Christianity. I believe the universality of sacrificial love…

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The Tabernacle: Essentials, Symbolism, Fulfillment in Jesus

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 10:04:52 +0000

The Tabernacle, a divine structure outlined in the book of Exodus, served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. During the Exodus and the wandering in the desert, the Tabernacle was portable, symbolizing the closeness of Emmanual—God with us. The Tabernacle’s detailed construction and the…

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What is Atonement (Propitiation)?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 28 May 2024 12:52:25 +0000

Atonement is a central concept in the Hebrew Scriptures, intricately tied to the relationship between humanity and God. The Hebrew term for atonement, “כפר” (kipper), appears over a hundred times in the Old Testament, most notably in the context of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Understanding the nuances of…

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Justice: Why Love Can’t Survive Without It

Dr. Eitan Bar — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:50:05 +0000

From the outset, justice has been a prominent recurring motif. Discussions on justice appear early in the Torah (e.g., Leviticus 19:15) and are also emphasized by the prophets (e.g., Micah 6:8). In the intricate dance of human interactions, love and justice are often seen as partners whose steps occasionally misalign.…

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Why Sacrifice is the Highest of Virtues

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 12 May 2024 13:39:42 +0000

Sacrifice, a virtue deeply embedded in human culture and spiritual consciousness, stands out as a profound expression of altruism and selflessness. Throughout history, it has shaped the contours of morality and ethics, guiding individuals and communities toward higher ideals. The essence of sacrifice involves giving up something valued for the…

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What Most Christians Overlook Regarding Sacrifice in the Bible and Jesus’ Atonement

Dr. Eitan Bar — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:43:16 +0000

Well, perhaps not “most Christians,” but certainly most Protestants (Calvinists, Baptists, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, etc.) and most Catholics. Historically, this overlook made them develop their Theories of Atonement pretty late in the game, disregarding the earlier teachings of the Church Fathers.1 The Models of Atonement held by both the Catholic and…

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Every Knee Shall Bow: Putting God’s Wisdom & Power to the Test

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:41:48 +0000

Can we truly trust that God is the wisest, strongest, and most loving? Or was the serpent correct in suggesting otherwise? All of us, along with the rest of creation, bear witness to the ongoing vast cosmic theological debate surrounding the nature of God. One way to interpret Genesis 3…

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Does God Hate Us, Love Us, Or Both?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:25:56 +0000

Imagine explaining to your child that because they are not perfect, you must take them to the backyard, tie them to a tree, and burn them in a fire. However, because you also love them, you decide to burn the dog instead. Your logic, as you explain to your confused…

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Penal Substitutionary Atonement: A Critical Examination

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:50:57 +0000

The doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) has long been a cornerstone of the Reformed Calvinistic theological framework. It later became the “gospel message” of several post-reformation protestant denominations, such as Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal. What is Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA)? Penal Substitutionary Atonement was developed during the Protestant Reformation…

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Acts 13:48 Beyond Calvinism’s Predestination

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 09:03:45 +0000

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 Acts 13:48 has long been a cornerstone for the Calvinistic doctrine of Unconditional Election. This short article endeavors to present a quick…

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Hebrew Word Study: WORSHIP (SHACHAH)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:07:50 +0000

What do you imagine when you hear the word “worship” or “worship night”? For many modern Christians, it conjures up images of dimly lit auditoriums pulsing with music, arms raised in emotive surrender, and a worship leader guiding a congregation through swelling choruses. It feels spiritual. It sounds beautiful. But…

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Sin, Sacrifice and Forgiveness: Judaism vs. Evangelicalism

Dr. Eitan Bar — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:25:49 +0000

Forgiveness of sins and sacrifices are core to both religions. In Judaism, forgiveness never depended on the act of killing an animal. The God of the living does not take pleasure in death (Ezekiel 33:11) because death is the very opposite of what God is: life. Instead, the sacrifices symbolized generosity, dedication, celebration, peace, forgiveness, etc.

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What is “Divine Abuse” Model of Atonement?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 13:58:30 +0000

Ok, you got me. There is no theory of atonement called “Divine Abuse,” not officially, at least. It’s an expansion pack on top of the Penal Substitution theory. I put it at the bottom of the list of theories because I don’t think it deserves to be taken seriously. In…

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Did God Commit A Cosmic Suicide? (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 13:44:53 +0000

In this article I critique David Platt's interpretation of Matthew 27:46, which posits that God the Father killed God the Son, expelling Him from the Trinity. This article explores alternative perspectives on this verse, dissecting its theological implications and offering fresh insights into the nature of Jesus' crucifixion and the dynamics within the Godhead.

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Who Killed Jesus: God or People? (rebuttal to John MacArthur)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 08:23:02 +0000

While many Calvinist preachers attribute Jesus' death to God, we will delve into the disciples' perspectives by examining biblical accounts and historical context, offering a deeper understanding of this crucial moment in Christianity.

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Top 6 Historical Theories of Atonement Every Christian Must Know

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 08:46:43 +0000

Understanding the reason(s) behind Jesus' death is fundamental to Christian belief. Explore five historical theories that attempt to explain why Jesus died, each offering a unique perspective on the significance of His sacrifice and its impact on our faith.

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8 Reasons Why Jesus’ Sacrifice is Superior to the Levitical Sacrifices

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 08:06:41 +0000

Explore eight compelling reasons why Jesus' sacrifice stands out as superior to the Levitical sacrifices of the Old Testament. This illuminating comparison sheds light on the unique qualities of Christ's atoning death and its transformative impact on our relationship with God.

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Two Sacrificial Offerings in the Hebrew Scriptures That Will Completely Revise How You View Forgiveness of Sins

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 07:51:50 +0000

Discover the two sacrificial offerings in the Hebrew Scriptures that challenge our conventional understanding of forgiveness of sins. This exploration will provide a fresh perspective on how these ancient practices can inform our approach to sin and redemption today.

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The Real Reson God Rejected Cain’s Sacrifice & Accepted Abel’s (Genesis 4)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:52:01 +0000

By examining the biblical text in its context, we may uncover the essential factors that determined God's acceptance and rejection of Cain and Abel's sacrifices.

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Did Adam and Eve’s Tunics Really Involve Sacrifice? (Genesis 3:21)

Dr. Eitan Bar — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:14:46 +0000

Is Genesis 3 truly about God killing an animal as a form of "substitutionary atonement" or does it carry an entirely different meaning? By analyzing biblical context and symbolism, we may uncover the truth.

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Was the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22) Really About Substitutionary Atonement?

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:34:48 +0000

John Piper draws a parallel between Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac and the belief that God sacrificed Jesus for sin. However, this interpretation may not align with the original intent of Genesis 22. It's important to consider how the New Testament authors viewed this story and whether the concept of blood sacrifice for sin is applicable to both situations.

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Debunking the Calvinistic “Cup of Wrath” Whereby God Allegedly Abused Jesus

Dr. Eitan Bar — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:54:18 +0000

Many Christians believe that Jesus' death was a result of God's wrath towards human sin. But was it truly God who poured out the "cup of wrath" on Jesus? This article explores different theological perspectives on this controversial topic.

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