Traditional theories of atonement have been criticized from a feminist theological perspective for making the suffering and death of Jesus salvific, but there are also feminist theologians that propose a retrieval of the theology of the cross and atonement. The purpose in this thesis is to critically analyze three Lutheran feminists theologians interpretations of the theology of the cross and theology of atonement. This analysis will then be used in a discussion on how a constructive contribution to a Lutheran feminist theology of atonement can be formulated. My research question is “How can a modern Lutheran feminist position concerning atonement and the theology of the cross be formulated so that it is credible in the light of radical feminist criticism?” First, I present Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parkers radical feminist criticism and present six models that criticizes theories of atonement. Second, I analyze three Lutheran and feminist theologians. The Lutheran feminist theologians that I analyze in this thesis is Deanna Thompson, Arnfríður Guðmundsdóttir and Caryn D. Riswold. The method I use to analyze the Lutheran feminist theologians is the theologian Sofia Camnerins atonement model, which focus on the aspects of "from-transition-to". Brock and Park criticize theories of atonement and Jesus death on the cross as salvific because it makes meaning out of suffering and which in their view has negative interpretation and negative consequences on women’s lives.  Brock and Parker also problematize the theology of atonement to be hurtful for victims of abuse and violence. Thompson propose a feminist theology of the cross and interprets atonement as God befriending humanity.  Guðmundsdóttir also propose a feminist theology of the cross and focus on that God is the one suffering on the cross. Riswold propose that atonement should be viewed through a sacramental and ecclesiological understanding. The conclusion that I present in this thesis is that all three Lutheran feminist theologians have a strong focus on the relational aspect of atonement.  A modern Lutheran feminist position that is credible in the light of radical feminist criticism takes this relational aspect of atonement seriously.

The overall purpose of this thesis is to illuminate and critically evaluate Christian theology of atonement and redemption, in order to contribute to contemporary theology of atonement and redemption. The purpose is reached through an analysis of the work of two contemporary feminist theologians; Daphne Hampson and Rita Nakashima Brock. Hampson has formulated a sharp post-Christian position. Brock has distinguished herself through her critique of the Christian concept of atonement and through her contributions to reconciliation and redemption. Both Daphne Hampson and Rita Nakashima Brock argue that Christian atonement-theology, primarily the so called objective model, is hurtful to children and victims of abuse and violence. They both argue that theological language is not innocent. At the same time, they illustrate broken relationships, sufferings, and problems they want to change, give theological interpretations of how that change is to take place and present methodologies on how to reach reconciliation between human beings and God as well as between human beings. In two steps I undertake a critical analysis of content and presuppositions in Daphne Hampson’s and Rita Nakashima Brock’s theologies of atonement and redemption. In the first step, I describe Hampson’s and Brock’s critique of Christian atonement-theology. I analyze their theological critique and theological construction in a model "from-transition-to". My critical analysis focuses especially on internal consistency. In the second part, the analysis of presuppositions, I explain basic principles upon which they shape their theology. The analysis is made up by the analytical concepts; theoretical arguments of knowledge, understandings of faith, and the position of the subject. I also analyze other essential concepts out of which gender is one. In the last chapter I present my own constructive contribution, structured by content and presuppositions. I argue that theology is both a critical and constructive discipline. In the content-response I discuss images of God, the tragic, the cross, and the hope. In the presuppositions-response I discuss the concept "space-in-between". In conclusion I propose that theology of atonement/redemption is shaped between post and Christian. I argue that space-in-between-perspectives are necessarily experimental and critical, a space on the border where marginalized voices are to be included.