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  • Ransom theory in a new economy: Recontextualising a metaphor

  • Andrew W. Sutherland
  • Journal:
    Scottish Journal of Theology / Volume 74 / Issue 4 / November 2021
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    19 January 2022, pp. 312-322
    Print publication:
    November 2021
    • Article
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  • This article demonstrates that an economic context is essential to the metaphor that Anselm of Canterbury and Peter Abelard used in their arguments against a ransom theory of atonement. Contrary to typical analyses, which suggest their metaphor makes a point about obedience or honour that slaves or servants owe to a master or king, this metaphor in fact suggests relations between the lord of a manor and his servi – serfs bound to the land, perpetually indebted to the lord and effectively considered his property. Should servi attempt to desert their lord, he had the right simply to reclaim them wherever they went. Insofar as this right voided the servus’ choice to leave their lord, the metaphorical framework of manorial economy ruled out the ‘rights of the devil’ in a way previous debt-slavery and military frameworks for ransom theory (in themselves) did not.