Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - July 24, 2026
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Jesus as the Lamb of God and Substitutionary Atonement Theory
  2. Vegan and Vegetarian Participants Needed
  3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry July 22 Newsletter

1. Jesus as the Lamb of God and Substitutionary Atonement Theory

Christians have long struggled to understand why Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Indeed, in the decades following Jesus' death, his execution was a scandal. Early critics of Christianity argued that if Jesus were truly God incarnate, why was he unable to avoid the ignominious death of a common criminal?

A popular explanation, particularly among many contemporary Protestants, has evolved over the centuries. This view, often called substitutionary atonement theory, holds that Jesus' death was a necessary sacrifice to save humanity. Augustine of Hippo argued that human beings cannot save themselves because they are inherently sinful. According to this understanding, humanity's sinfulness began with Adam's act of disobedience and has been inherited by every generation since. Humans can only be saved from eternal damnation through the perfect sacrifice of one who was without sin. Jesus - the "Lamb of God" - was sinless and the only one who could atone for humanity's sinfulness.

I find substitutionary atonement theory problematic for several reasons. First, the question, Who killed Jesus? leads to some difficult conclusions. If the mob, the Roman authorities, or the chief priests were responsible for Jesus' death, then it would appear that these evildoers - not Jesus - were the ones fulfilling God's plan by providing an innocent substitute for sinful humanity. Furthermore, if human beings killed Jesus, it is difficult to understand how his death could atone for humanity's sins, because that would mean that sinful humanity had saved itself by murdering an innocent person. In other words, the grave sin of murder would somehow have become the means by which humanity was delivered from the consequences of sin. Alternatively, one might conclude that God either directly caused or orchestrated Jesus' death. Yet this portrays God as the author of his Son's death and seems difficult to reconcile with God's earlier declaration: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). Further, it conflicts with notion of God as loving, compassionate, and just.

I will continue to examine substitutionary atonement theory and then propose a different understanding of what it means for Jesus to be the "Lamb of God."

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. Vegan and Vegetarian Participants Needed

recruitment flyer

My name is Ansley Vereen, and I am a rising senior Psychology major working with the Learning Lab at Furman University as a summer research intern.

As there has been a rise in the popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets, tensions between meat-eaters and vegans/vegetarians have also risen, placing importance on understanding the diverse viewpoints of each dietary group. Past research has found that meat eaters sometimes hold negative views toward vegans and vegetarians. Our study flips that lens: we're asking vegans and vegetarians to share their attitudes about meat eaters. We are actively recruiting vegan and vegetarian participants for a brief, anonymous survey (12-18 minutes).

I've attached our recruitment flyer and the link to the survey.

Thank you.

Survey link:
https://furman.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3PFTRiO3FqTJD6e

Ansley Vereen
Furman University 2027
Learning Lab
Psychology and Spanish B.S.

3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry July 22 Newsletter

All-Creatures newsletter graphic

A prayer for a companion animal who is passing away - hope and empowerment for young people through environmental education - In Defense of Animals to help wild creatures in DRC facing armed conflict, Ebola - Abu al-Alaʾ al-Maʿarri, 11th century vegan poet and philosopher - the beginning of a half-century vegan journey - crucial tips for protecting dogs in the heat - Leave me be [new poem from J.H. Dickinson] - how aquaculture and industrial fishing conflict with Jewish values - New Zealand's Predator Free 2050 causes needless suffering - They Gathered at the Manger [new hymn from Tams Nicholson] - VCOP26 this weekend, July 25-26 - and more...

Check it out: All-Creatures.org Weekly Newsletter, July 22, 2026

Please support the CVA! At www.christianveg.org/materials.htm, you can find literature, T-shirts, bumper stickers and more, and donations are always welcomed!

2026 Newsletters Archive