In the fourteenth century, the Franciscan theologian Duns Scotus argued against Anselm’s doctrine of satisfaction, or what has come to be known as “atonement theology.” Anselm said that the incarnation took place to repay the debt incurred by human sin. Scotus rejected this position. Rather, he said, creation and incarnation are two interrelated mysteries of divine love. The reason for all divine activity is found in the very nature of God as love. The Trinity is a communion of love.
