Bach Atonement Theory

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Since atonement theories are based on one’s interpretation of Scripture, as a result there is a vast amount of differing opinions throughout sects of Christianity. Theories can be split into two categories, subjective theories and objective theories. The former focuses on the humans response to the divine, while the latter focuses on what God has done and has to do. During Bach’s time, Lutheran orthodoxy, which focused on objective theories, and Lutheran pietism, which focused on subjective theories, were at odds with each other. One can view Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion as a successful attempt to bridge the two.
Bach used time and structure in his work to force his listeners to set themselves inside the narrative. So, while listening, as

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