For the early Christians, the story of salvation was entirely one of healing (salve-ation) and rescue; of God coming to us in the depths of our estrangement to release us from bondage to illusion, to set us free, to gather his prodigal children and restore a broken creation within the embrace of his infinite love.
When it comes to atonement, Christianity only has various ways of speaking about it, rather than a single settled explanation or doctrine. The Nicene Creed affirms that there was an atonement, but it does not set out how the events of Christ’s life bring about our salvation, or even define precisely what salvation is.
However, many of us will have been taught to believe that the gospels and St. Paul’s epistles teach that, on the cross of Christ, God poured out his wrath on sin, or that the Son was discharging a debt humanity owed the Father, or that Jesus took the punishment (penalty) for human sin in our place (as a substitute) to secure our release from the burden of that debt.
During the first three or four Christian centuries, none of the ideas we are commonly taught had taken root. And the New Testament, read in light of this earlier tradition, contains nothing remotely like them.
Through a flow of two talks, times of conversation and a period of silent meditation, we’ll explore:
Following the workshop, all participants will be invited to an optional online discussion evening, where people can join small break-out groups of 5–6 people to continue exploring the ideas raised.
The event has been carefully crafted to be inclusive and accessible, welcoming anyone seeking truth, peace, and spiritual renewal, regardless of their faith, beliefs or previous experience of meditation.
The workshop will include a flow of two talks, times of conversation, a period of silent meditation and a break.
Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in England. Chris’ monastic teachers taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala, India.
Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.
Chris is the author of The Missing Peace – Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press.
In accordance with our Terms and Conditions (available in full here), our events should be understood as only providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. Many people report subjective improvements in general wellbeing through meditation practice. However, if you or anyone you intend to book a ticket for suffer from any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you/them to attend an event with us.
All our paid-for events are priced to cover costs (rather than make a profit) so they are as accessible as possible. However, if you are struggling to make ends meet, please don’t hesitate to email us and ask for information about our bursaries.