Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - September 1, 2026
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Jesus as the Lamb of God and Substitutionary Atonement Theory, Part 4
  2. Educated Choices Program "Back-to-School Campaign"
  3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

1. Jesus as the Lamb of God and Substitutionary Atonement Theory, Part 4

In prior essays, I discussed some of the theological and practical problems with substitutionary atonement theory, which holds that Jesus was sacrificed to atone for human sinfulness. How might we understand John the Baptist's declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)? In what way was Jesus the Lamb of God?

There are different ways the metaphor "Lamb of God" might be understood. Many of my prior essays have argued for an anti-sacrificial understanding of Scripture, in accord with the anti-sacrificial sentiments expressed by the later prophets. Perhaps Jesus chose to sacrifice himself so that God's will might be done "on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus was clearly innocent, just like the Suffering Servant described in Isaiah 53. His murder exposed the violence and injustice of scapegoating, laying a foundation for future generations to reject the unjust, violent, and ultimately self-destructive scapegoating process.

The high priest Caiaphas said, "… it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish" (John 11:50). This is the logic of scapegoating, and indeed, scapegoating can generate temporary peace. But this peace is illusory because it is grounded in violence and injustice. This accords with Jeremiah's lament: "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace" (6:14; 8:11).

Throughout history, scapegoating has temporarily united people and helped them avoid cataclysmic communal disruption. Today, however, scapegoating is more than an unjust and temporary solution to a perennial problem. We are on the precipice of civilizational collapse, and it seems that our only hope is to follow the faith of Christ: that we should serve God by lovingly protecting all of God's Creation, even if doing so might require self-sacrifice.

The Bible relates that Jesus ascended to Heaven after the Crucifixion. I suggest that this validates Jesus' innocence and demonstrates that the Crucifixion was an act of murder.

While other understandings of Jesus' death and resurrection are plausible on theological and biblical grounds, this view has the attraction of elevating Christianity into a religion that can save the world.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. Educated Choices Program "Back-to-School Campaign"

As we head into the new school year, we've launched ECP's Back-to-School Campaign to help us reach even more students with free, science-based education about the connections between food, human health, and planetary health.

You can see the campaign here: https://givebutter.com/FeedYoungMinds

3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

Check out the August 26 Newsletter. Contents include an interview with long-time activist Gary Yourofsky, good news for animals; action alerts; stories; poetry, prose, and art; articles; religion/spirituality and animals; recipes; upcoming events, and a sermon from Pastor Frank Hoffman.

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