Fra Dio e l’uomo

Linee di teologia del sacrificio nell’Antico Testamento

Abstract

This contribution analyses the Israelite sacrificial practice, bringing to the fore some fundamental aspects of its theology. In particular, it shows how in every sacrifice a threefold dimension is recognizable: offering, communion, atonement. Sacrifice expresses the human desire to give up what one pos-sesses, in order to take care of the relationship with the Lord; sacrifice instils and strengthens the communion with the divine, and between the members of a single faith community; finally, sacrifice responds to the perception of a distance in the relationship with God, the consequence of sin, favouring rec-onciliation. Recognizing the richness of biblical sacrificial theology thus al-lows one to understand why the Christian tradition has constantly appealed to this linguistic patrimony of thought in order to express the mystery of the cross of Jesus, understood as «perfect sacrifice».