The sacrifice of Jesus allowed people to achieve salvation because he took the punishment that would otherwise be due to them

The sacrifice of Jesus allowed people to achieve salvation because he took the punishment that would otherwise be due to them
Subjects
Atonement	Christianity
Jesus	Salvation
Theology
Linking arguments
Jesus recapitulated Adam's circumstances but did not betray God's trust, thereby overturning the stain of Adam's mistake and allowing people to achieve salvation The sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth is a substitute for the sins of people God allowed Jesus to receive the punishment due to mankind for sin, though Jesus' suffering was disproportionate to the sin for which humanity is responsible; this allowed God to offer salvation while maintaining divine justice The sacrifice of Jesus allows people to achieve salvation because of the inspiring moral influence that his life, death and resurrection had on humanity

Note: This position is called the penal substitution theory.

Note: This belief is an example of the substitutionary theory (The sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth is a substitute for the sins of people), which also allows for other possibilities.

Supporting arguments

Jesus actually and really suffered for the sins of humanity, allowing God to maintain his promise to keep divine justice. 

Opposing arguments

It is taught in the Exposition of Divine Faith, a scriptural work written by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Hyo Won Eu, that Adam and Eve's betrayal of God's will allowed Satan to gain a superior position, thus resulting in mankind being born in sin and with a tendency to be sinful. Jesus avenged this event, thereby allowing mankind to achieve salvation. 

• • Related argument: The Exposition of the Divine Principle is inspired scripture.

    Related argument: Jesus avenged the fall of Adam by thwarting Satan, thereby allowing people to overcome sin and achieve salvation.

    Related argument: People possess a state of sin that originates from the fall of Adam and Eve.

Jesus' exemplary life provided a model and inspired humanity to moral self-improvement, thereby enabling salvation 

• • Related argument: The sacrifice of Jesus allows people to achieve salvation because of the inspiring moral influence that his life, death and resurrection had on humanity.