This week in our Theology Explained series, we’re unpacking the doctrine of imputation—a truth at the very heart of the gospel. In a divine exchange, our sin was laid on Christ, and His perfect righteousness was credited to us. This isn’t about earning God’s favor; it’s about receiving what we could never achieve on our own: right standing with God through faith in Jesus.

The atonement is not just a theological term—it is the heart of the gospel. Without it, there is no forgiveness, no peace with God, and no hope for the sinner. But because of the atoning work of Christ, reconciliation is possible. In this article, we define the term, trace its biblical roots, and show how to bring it into everyday conversations.