CLEAN: How the Jewish Roots of Atonement Unlock the Meaning of Christ’s Sacrifice

by Rosser Powitzky

The mechanism of Christ’s atonement continues to be a source of controversy and confusion in the church. While some Christians intuitively sense injustice and/or incoherence in their understanding of atonement, other believers simply lack clarity regarding how Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, blood, and priesthood all somehow work together to save us from sin. This book explores the Torah’s framework of atonement to elucidate how the Jewish apostles would have understood the mechanism of removing sin through Christ’s sacrifice and priestly ministry. Concise and to the point, CLEAN offers a fresh biblical perspective of Christ’s atonement that helps connect the Old and New Testament into one unified story.


Contents

I. Kaphar (Atonement): Purging Sin so God Can Dwell with His PeopleThe Meaning of KapharKaphar and God’s Purpose for CreationSanctum Contagium and KapharThe Mechanism of KapharMechanistic but RelationalKaphar in the New CovenantKaphar in the Book of Hebrews

II. Clarifying Misconceptions of Kaphar (Atonement)Significance of Blood and the Timing of KapharTransporting the Cleansing Life (Blood)The Recipient and Executor of KapharWere the Sacrifices a Substitute?Were the Sacrifices Punished?Do Priests and Offerings Carry Sin?Why Crucifixion?Kaphar and the SacramentsIs the Kaphar of Christ the Gospel?The Three C’s of the New Covenant

III. Other Theories of Kaphar (Atonement) and Their ShortcomingsNo Settled Doctrine of Kaphar in the ChurchRansom and Christus VictorRecapitulation and Moral Exemplar (Influence)Satisfaction and Penal SubstitutionShortcomings of Penal SubstitutionA Review of Penal Substitution PassagesAgnostic and Kaleidoscope Views

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025