thesis about love and sacrifice

Love is Sacrifice: Unpacking the True Meaning of Devotion

There’s an old saying that love is sacrifice . It’s a truth universally acknowledged, yet often misunderstood. As I delve into this topic, we’ll unpack the meaning behind this phrase and why it holds such significance in our relationships.

The essence of love isn’t just about feeling euphoric or constantly being in a state of bliss. It’s about making choices every day, even when they’re tough ones. Love demands patience, understanding, and yes – sacrifice. But what does it mean to truly sacrifice for the one you love?

Sacrifice in love doesn’t mean giving up everything for someone else’s happiness. Rather, it involves mutual respect and compromise for each other’s well-being. True love acknowledges individuality while fostering growth together as a unit. With these thoughts in mind, let’s explore how love requires us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the sacrifices necessary for meaningful relationships .

Understanding the Concept of ‘Love is Sacrifice’

Diving into the realms of love, it’s quintessential to grapple with one truth – love involves sacrifice. Now, you might wonder, what exactly does this mean? Well, in simple terms, it means prioritizing another person’s needs and happiness above your own. This doesn’t imply losing yourself or your values; rather it’s about making conscious decisions for the wellbeing of someone else.

Let me share a few examples to clarify this concept further. Suppose you’re planning on watching the latest blockbuster but your partner had a rough day at work and prefers a quiet evening instead. The decision to skip the movie and stay home signifies an act of sacrifice out of love. Here’s another common scenario: imagine you get a fantastic job offer that requires relocating but doing so would disrupt your partner’s career progression. Choosing to forego the opportunity for their sake again displays “love as sacrifice”.

It’s important here not to confuse ‘sacrifice’ with ‘compromise’. While both involve giving something up, compromise leans towards mutual agreement whereas sacrifice is often unilateral.

According to American psychologist Dr. John Gottman’s research:

• Couples who make sacrifices for each other report higher levels of satisfaction.
• They also tend to have longer-lasting relationships.

Remember though, healthy sacrifices should be voluntary and not feel like unwanted obligations imposed by your partner or societal expectations. It should come from a place of genuine care and affection.

In essence, accepting that love is sacrifice provides a stronger foundation for relationships allowing them to weather through life’s ups and downs effectively while nurturing mutual respect and understanding between partners.

The Psychological Perspective on Love and Sacrifice

Let’s dive right into the deep sea of psychology – here, love’s not just a feeling, it’s an intricate combination of emotions, behaviors, and beliefs associated with strong feelings of affection. And when it comes to sacrifice? That’s another complex matter entirely.

In terms of psychology, love is often seen as a commitment device – a way for two people to bind themselves together. This ‘commitment’ can involve numerous sacrifices. It might be time spent away from other friends and family or personal hobbies put aside. Sometimes, it can even mean making considerable life changes like moving cities or switching jobs.

There’s more than anecdotal evidence backing this up too:

• According to research by The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , those in committed relationships were 44% more likely to make daily sacrifices.
• In another study conducted by Social Psychological and Personality Science , they found that people who made sacrifices for their partners felt happier and more fulfilled in their relationships.

Exploring further down this rabbit hole, psychologists have discovered something fascinating: our brains react differently when we make sacrifices out of love versus obligation. MRI scans from research led by Psychoneuroendocrinology showed that acts motivated by genuine affection sparked activity in the reward center of the brain. On the other hand, actions driven by obligation activated areas linked with stress and anxiety.

This psychological lens paints a powerful picture – love is indeed sacrifice but it doesn’t need to be burdensome; instead, it can bring us joy if done with sincerity. Now isn’t that food for thought?

How Love Involves Sacrifice: Real Life Examples

Let me tell you, love and sacrifice go hand in hand like bread and butter. You can’t truly experience one without the other. There are countless examples that showcase how true love necessitates sacrifice, whether it’s small everyday compromises or grand gestures.

Take parents, for instance. They’re often the first ones to demonstrate this concept to us. From sleepless nights during our infancy to financial sacrifices for our education and well-being, they put their children’s needs above their own – a clear testament of love involving sacrifice.

Then there’s the story of my friend who moved half-way across the country for her partner’s job opportunity. She left behind her family, friends, and a promising career because she believed in her partner’s dreams – a colossal personal sacrifice made out of love.

Love also involves smaller daily sacrifices that we make without even realizing it. It could be as simple as watching your partner’s favorite TV show instead of yours or waking up early on weekends to make them breakfast.

If we look around ourselves or delve into history, we’ll find numerous instances where people have shown selfless acts in the name of love:

• Soldiers leaving their families behind to protect their country.
• Firefighters risking their lives every day to save others.
• Teachers spending extra hours helping students grasp concepts better.

These are not just jobs; they’re acts of love that involve significant personal sacrifices.

In short, love is all about giving rather than taking. It requires us to step outside our comfort zone and prioritize someone else before ourselves sometimes – indeed a tough task but rewarding nonetheless!

Role of Sacrifices in Healthy Relationships

I’ve often said that love and sacrifice are two sides of the same coin. They’re intertwined, constantly playing off each other in a delicate dance that forms the backbone of any healthy relationship. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating topic.

To begin with, let’s clarify what we mean by ‘sacrifice’. It’s not about giving up your dreams or compromising on your principles. Instead, it’s about making adjustments to accommodate the needs and desires of your partner. This could be something as simple as watching a movie you don’t particularly enjoy because your partner loves it, or waking up early to make breakfast when they have an important meeting.

But why do we need to make these sacrifices? Here comes the interesting part: sacrifices foster empathy and understanding between partners. When I willingly take on inconvenience for my partner’s sake, I’m sending a clear message: “I value you.” This fosters emotional intimacy – vital for long-term relationships.

Now some may argue that too much sacrifice could lead to resentment and imbalance in the relationship. There’s truth there! Indeed, successful relationships aren’t just about sacrifice; they involve mutual respect and compromise from both parties. It’s essential to ensure that sacrifices aren’t one-sided but reciprocated appropriately.

Research backs this up! A 2013 study published in Journal of Personality & Social Psychology found that couples who perceived their partners as being more willing to sacrifice had higher satisfaction levels in their relationships.

Here is a short summary:

In conclusion (not really), while love can indeed be seen as an act of selflessness where sacrifices play a key role, balance remains crucial lest we tip over into resentment territory.

• Sacrifice isn’t about giving up dreams, but making adjustments.
• Sacrifices foster empathy and understanding.
• It’s essential for sacrifices to be reciprocated in a relationship.

Let’s move on to exploring more facets of love as sacrifice in the next sections!

Sacrifice as an Expression of Love: A Closer Look

When we think about love, it’s common to imagine the warm, fluffy emotions that typically come with it. But let’s dig a bit deeper. Let me introduce you to the side of love that often goes unnoticed – sacrifice. And not just any kind of sacrifice, I’m talking about meaningful sacrifices made out of pure, unadulterated love.

Now you might ask – why is sacrifice so intertwined with love? Simple. It’s because when you truly care for someone, their happiness becomes your priority. You’re willing to forego personal pleasures or endure hardships if it means making them smile. That right there is the essence of sacrifice in love.

This isn’t just some abstract concept either – science backs it up! A study conducted by the University of California found a positive correlation between self-sacrifice and relationship satisfaction[^1^]. In other words, those who were more willing to make sacrifices for their partners reported higher levels of happiness in their relationships.

However, balance is crucial here. While making sacrifices out of love can be rewarding, it shouldn’t lead to resentment or neglecting one’s own needs. Think about it like this – if a plant represents your relationship and water symbolizes sacrifice; too little water will cause the plant to wilt but too much can drown it.

So let’s delve into some examples:

• Putting aside your favorite movie because your partner wants to watch something else.
• Waking up early on weekends despite being a night owl because your loved one enjoys morning walks.
• Cutting down on work hours for spending quality time together even though you’re passionate about what you do.

These are relatively small sacrifices but they show how much you value your partner’s happiness over your own desires. That’s love in its most genuine form.

So, as we continue to explore the many dimensions of love, let’s not forget about sacrifice. It may not be the most glamorous aspect of love, but it’s arguably one of the most important.

[^1^]: Impett, E.A., Gable, S.L., & Peplau, L.A. (2005). Giving up and giving in: The costs and benefits of daily sacrifice in intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Balancing Love and Sacrifice without Losing Self-Identity

I’ve always believed that love is a beautiful, complex dance of give and take. It’s not just about the butterflies in your stomach or the shared laughter on a Sunday afternoon. It’s also about sacrifice. But how can one balance this sacrifice with maintaining their own self-identity?

It’s crucial to understand that while love often requires sacrifice, it shouldn’t mean losing yourself entirely in the process. Our identities are composed of our experiences, beliefs, traits and interests – things we should never have to surrender completely for someone else.

Here are some tips I’ve found helpful:

• First, recognize your worth. It’s easy to get lost in a relationship when you’re constantly putting another person’s needs before your own. Remember that you’re equally important.
• Second, stay connected with other aspects of your life such as friends , hobbies, career goals etc. These connections are vital for maintaining your sense of self outside your romantic relationships.
• Lastly but certainly not least – communicate! Openly share how you feel with your partner if you think you’re sacrificing too much.

Let me share an anecdote from my personal experience. A friend once told me she felt like she was losing herself to her relationship; she had stopped doing things she loved because her partner wasn’t interested in them. She realized though that this loss was creating resentment and unhappiness within her.

What did she do? She communicated her feelings openly with her partner who was supportive and understanding. They agreed that they could participate separately in activities they didn’t both enjoy so nobody would need to compromise on their happiness or identity.

Remember folks: Balancing love and sacrifice is essential but never at the cost of losing who YOU are!

Critics’ Views on the Ideology of ‘Love is Sacrifice’

When it comes to love and sacrifice, critics have plenty to say. Many believe that at its core, love often involves giving up something for someone else’s happiness or wellbeing. It’s not necessarily about grand gestures; instead, it could be as simple as compromising your preferences or dedicating your time.

Psychologists like Dr. Patricia Papernow argue that healthy relationships aren’t about sacrificing one’s self but balancing one’s needs with those of their partner. She posits that excessive self-sacrifice can lead to resentment and an unhealthy dynamic in a relationship.

On the other hand, sociologist Dr. Bella DePaulo suggests that societal expectations tend to romanticize the concept of sacrifice in love. Her studies show that many people feel pressured into making sacrifices they’re not comfortable with due to societal norms and expectations around what love should look like.

There are also critics who see sacrifice as a form of control within relationships. Renowned author bell hooks argues in her book “All About Love” that true love cannot thrive in an atmosphere where one person consistently gives up their desires or dreams for another.

Taking a more philosophical stance, Alain de Botton contends that any meaningful connection requires some level of sacrifice – but cautions against losing oneself entirely in the process.

To summarize these varying viewpoints:

• Dr. Patricia Papernow – Emphasizes balance over self-sacrifice
• Dr. Bella DePaulo – Criticizes societal pressures around sacrifice
• bell hooks – Sees consistent self-sacrifice as stifling to authentic love
• Alain de Botton – Acknowledges necessity of some level of sacrifice

As we delve deeper into this topic, it becomes clear there is no universal agreement on how much sacrifice is healthy or even necessary when it comes to loving someone else.

Conclusion: The Interplay between Love and Sacrifice

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time diving into the intricate relationship between love and sacrifice. It’s clear that these two powerful emotions are deeply intertwined, shaping our interactions and relationships in profound ways.

Love isn’t just about feeling good or getting what we desire. Rather, it often calls for sacrifice, for putting another person’s needs before our own. This could mean giving up something we cherish, or stepping out of our comfort zone to ensure their happiness and well-being.

Let’s not forget that sacrifice isn’t about losing. Instead, it’s about gaining – gaining deeper connections with others, understanding their perspectives better, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and care.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Love often requires sacrifice, which can be as simple as giving up your time to help someone else.
• True love thrives on sacrifices made willingly and joyfully .
• Sacrifices in love lead to stronger bonds between individuals.

So next time you find yourself at the crossroads of love and sacrifice, remember this: true love is selfless. It nurtures growth in the other even when it means personal discomfort or loss. That’s the beauty of love—it transcends beyond individual gains towards achieving collective happiness.

As I wrap up my thoughts on this topic, it’s evident that understanding the interplay between love and sacrifice offers us valuable insights into how we can nurture more fulfilling relationships in our lives. After all, isn’t that what life’s truly about—loving deeply, sacrificing willingly for those we care about?

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The Nightingale and the Rose

Oscar wilde, everything you need for every book you read..

From start to finish, "The Nightingale and the Rose" is a story about the nature of love. Love is what the Student claims to feel for the girl , and it is also what inspires the Nightingale to sacrifice her life to create a red rose ; doing so, she thinks, will help the Student win his sweetheart's affection. The fact that neither the Student nor the girl appreciates the Nightingale's sacrifice, however, complicates the story's meaning. In the end, Wilde suggests that true love is possible, but that much of what people commonly call love is shallow and self-interested.

The Student is a prime example of this self-absorption, the full extent of which only becomes clear at the end of the story; when the girl rejects his rose, he is quick to label her "ungrateful," and love in general "silly." In retrospect, however, it is clear that the Student's love was self-absorbed all along. While it is common for stylized literature (like fairy tales) to include dramatic monologues, the protestations of love that open "The Nightingale and the Rose" take on a stagey and attention-seeking quality in light of the story's ending. Wilde drops another similar hint when he describes the Student going back to his room and "think[ing] of his love." The ambiguous phrasing could simply mean that the Student is thinking about the girl, but it could also imply that he is narcissistically poring over his own emotional state. The girl, meanwhile, reveals herself to be equally self-centered when she exchanges the Student for a wealthier lover, leaving only the Nightingale to symbolize true, deep love.

The Nightingale, of course, is undeniably selfless. She is outwardly focused from the beginning, singing not about her own feelings, but about those of the "true lover" she dreams of meeting. Later, she flies from place to place attempting to find a red rose on someone else's behalf, her persistence standing in marked contrast to the Student's quickly-abandoned courtship. These small moments of altruism and self-denial culminate in her decision to sacrifice her life; death—the complete loss of selfhood—is the ultimate expression of selflessness. In fact, Wilde suggests that "perfect" love can exist only in death for precisely this reason. Because true love requires selflessness, death is its logical endpoint.

Ultimately, then, the fact that the Nightingale's sacrifice is based on a misreading of the Student's feelings doesn't alter the story's defense of love itself. By dying, the Nightingale herself proves the existence of true love, which the story suggests will outlive her: as she dies, the Nightingale sings about "Love that dies not in the tomb."

Love and Sacrifice ThemeTracker

Love and Sacrifice Quotes in The Nightingale and the Rose

Here at last is a true lover…Night after night have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after night have I told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is as dark as the hyacinth-blossom, and his lips are as red as the rose of his desire.

Surely Love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth in the market-place. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold.

"He is weeping for a red rose," said the Nightingale.

"For a red rose?" they cried; "how very ridiculous!" and the little Lizard, who was something of a cynic, laughed outright.

If you want a red rose…you must build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-blood must flow into my veins, and become mine.

The Student looked up from the grass and listened, but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only knew the things that are written down in books.

She has form…but has she got feeling? I am afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical good.

Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that dies not in the tomb.

What a wonderful piece of luck…here is a red rose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name.

The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet.

What a silly thing Love is…It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and…in this age to be practical is everything.

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Sacrifice Essay Writing Guide

Essay paper writing

Academic writing

Sacrifice is a phenomenon that is largely lacking in modern society. In the era of consumer philosophy and selfish goals, people tend to forget about acts of kindness that bring not material but moral satisfaction.

It is important to draw the attention of schoolchildren and students to a topic of sacrifice by assigning them to write academic papers on this topic. Young people can express their views and share experiences regarding parental unconditional love, spiritual growth through sacrifice, and examples of sacrificing in family and social relations.

If you are looking through this article right now, you probably have to perform a similar task. If this is the case, we recommend reading the whole article as you will surely find some useful tips on how to write about sacrifice.

Sacrifice essay topics ideas

Got lost among essay ideas? Check out the list of the best ones to make a final choice:

• Parents’ sacrifice essay
• “My sacrifice” essay
• Essay on whether or not you need to sacrifice for love
• Essay about sacrifice in love and when it becomes unhealthy
• Essay about family sacrifice
• Essay about love and sacrifice in literary works
• Reasons for self-sacrifice essay
• “Sacrifice and bliss” essay
• Essay on importance of self-sacrifice in different cultures
• Essay about making sacrifices to better the world
• “Sacrifice of a teacher” essay
• Human sacrifice essay
• “Importance of sacrifice” essay
• Ultimate sacrifice essay

Topic ideas for informative essay on sacrifice

Writing an informative essay about making sacrifices, consider focusing on one of the following:

• Different kinds of sacrifices that people make
• “What is sacrifice?” essay
• Self-sacrificing personality type
• Ritual sacrifice essay
• Sacrificial moral dilemmas
• “What does sacrifice mean?” essay
• Chronic self-sacrifice and its influence on mental health
• Essay about mothers’ sacrifice
• Soldiers’ sacrifice essay
• Essay on sacrifice definition and etymology
• “Sacrifice in sport” essay

How to write essays on sacrifice?

The majority of students have to write essays on a regular basis. The main thing is not just to write some information on the topic in question but also to make it interesting and attract the attention of a potential reader starting from the first sentence. We have prepared all the useful information on essay writing so that you can craft a decent paper.

The following details should be taken into account while writing an essay about sacrifice:

• The topicality of the problem under consideration. The issues raised should be relevant to the modern world or interesting if you are writing about a history of the subject.
• Personal opinion. You will need to explain your stance on the problem and back it up with information you have found in the literary sources.
• Small volume. There are no strict boundaries when it comes to the length of an essay, but 2-5 pages of text will likely be enough. Ask your professor about the word limit or simply request a rubric if you aren’t sure.
• Narrow focus. Only one issue or problem may be considered within the framework of the essay. There cannot be many different topics or ideas discussed within one assignment as you will not be able to cover any of them properly.

Sacrifice essay outline

In general, the essay has quite a specific structure:

• Sacrifice essay introduction. This part should set the mood of the whole paper, bring the reader’s attention to the issue under consideration, and consequently prompt him or her to read the text to the end. The most important aspect of intro is a thesis statement, which bears the main idea you are going to discuss.
• The main part. Here, it is necessary to elaborate on the points put forward in a thesis statement using factual information found in credible sources. However, you should not operate with facts alone – add your analysis of what you have read and address the contradictions in sources if any. Please note that you need to devote at least one paragraph to each point made in the thesis to effectively cover it.
• By summarizing what has been said in the main part, you will draw a general sacrifice essay conclusion. If the goal of the introduction is to attract attention, then that of the conclusion is to ensure integrity of the overall paper and leave no doubts about the legitimacy or viability of the ideas expressed in the body of the paper. How to wrap up an essay about sacrifice so that your reader has a good impression? Leave him or her some food for thought!

Brainstorming sacrifice essay titles

The last thing you need to do after you are done with your paper is create a good title for a sacrifice essay. At this point, you will already know the subject under the research perfectly, which will make it easier to come up with a short title that will show what exactly you have reviewed in the paper. Use your thesis statement to guide yourself, and think about some common phrases people use when talking about the topic to rework them into your title.

How to write a sacrifice essay: Best tips

• Speak you mind. This particular type of writing gives you an opportunity to say what you really think about the topic. Make your voice heard in your sacrifice essay!
• Mind your language. It’s very important to find a balance as your language should be neither too scientific nor too elevated. Slang words are not acceptable as well – try writing as if you are having a conversation with your professor and are trying to sound convincing.
• Spend some time researching. Whether it’s a sacrifice research paper or an essay, you need to focus a lot of your attention on finding credible sources. So, conduct some research on sacrifice topic on the Web and try reading journal articles rather than news or blog posts. 
• Proofread your writing. After writing the first draft, let it rest for a day or two and then proofread it with a fresh eye. This will help you spot more mistakes, inconsistencies, or lack of transition between ideas and paragraphs.
• Mind the formatting. A properly formatted essay will probably win you a good impression. Ask your teacher what style of formatting you have to stick to and follow all the requirements to the letter.

Writing a narrative essay on sacrifice

A narrative essay about sacrifice is a story about some event experienced by a writer or another person. A narrative essay is usually written in the artistic style. This means that it is necessary to use all the diversity of the English vocabulary. You can add conversational elements and descriptions to paint a clearer picture of what is going on to the reader.

In order to write a high-quality narrative essay, you need to follow these simple steps:

• Select the event or a person which you are going to write about;
• Think about the mood and the main idea of ​​ the future story;
• Recall in memory all the necessary details about this story and write them down in bullet points to use later;
• Create a well-detailed outline. Make sure it includes introduction (background), main part, culmination, and conclusion.
• Use the dialogue or separate replicas, elements of description, etc., which will help you to present the course of events in a more realistic way and humanize the characters.

If you are writing a narrative essay on personal sacrifice, be careful not to overshare. You need to understand how much information you professor is comfortable with you sharing, and it is best to ask them what is acceptable and what is not before you proceed. If you are narrating a story of your friend or relative, make sure you have gotten their permission to do so, and, preferably, inform your professor that you did. Check some samples of a narrative essay about a family member sacrifice to see how such information can be conveyed.

There is a bunch of different topics pertaining to sacrifice that you might write an essay on. Whatever the topic is, you do not have to worry. It is quite easy to write a top-notch essay if you have sufficient information and know the basic rules of writing academic papers.

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The Theology of Sacrifice

Other essays.

The biblical idea of sacrifice concerns the way of approach to God, finding acceptance before him by means of an acceptable substitute offered in place of the sinner and bearing the curse of sin.

This essay surveys the idea of sacrifice through the Old Testament in order to determine its intended significance. Next, this essay surveys the significance of the saving death of Christ as it is presented in these sacrificial categories. Special attention is given to Hebrews 9–10.

Introduction

The idea and practice of sacrifice is prominent throughout the biblical narrative. There is at least a hint of it as far back as Genesis 3:21, where God provides coats of skin for Adam and Eve. In Genesis 4:2-5 we read of the sacrifices offered by Cain and Abel, who presumably learned of the practice from Adam and Eve. We then read of sacrifices offered by Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (Gen. 12:7-8; 13:4, 18; 22:13), Isaac (Gen. 26:25), Jacob (Gen. 31:54; 33:20; 35:1-7; 46:1), and Job (1:5; 42:8). In Exodus and Leviticus, of course, the theme explodes. God delivers Israel from Egypt so that they may go and offer sacrifice to him (Exod. 3:18; 5:3, etc.; cf. 17:15), and it is by sacrifice, in fact, that they are delivered (Exod. 12). And in Exodus 20ff and in Leviticus God gives Moses detailed instructions for establishing and carrying out the sacrificial system that was to mark Israel’s worship under the terms of the old covenant. Various kinds of sacrifices were to be offered (the burnt offering, the guilt offering, the sin offering, the peace offering) at various times and for various specific purposes. Coming to the New Testament the practice of sacrifice is much less prominent, but the language of sacrifice dominates with reference to the death of Christ. Our objective here is to uncover the meaning and significance of sacrifice in the Old Testament in order better to discern the saving value of the death of Christ as explained by the New Testament writers.

Sacrifice in the Old Testament

As already observed, the idea of sacrifice begins in the early chapters of Genesis at the dawn of history. The significance tied to the coats of skin provided for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:21) is not immediately evident but can be understood more fully only by looking back from later revelation. All we can say at this point is that God covered their shame in a way that involved death.

Likewise the significance of the respective offerings of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:2-5) is not immediately evident. We are told only that Cain’s offering was “an offering of the fruit of the ground” (v. 3), that Abel’s was “of the firstborn of his flock” (v. 4), and that the Lord “had regard for” (i.e., accepted) Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s (vv. 4-5). Assuming that Cain and Abel learned the idea and duty of offering to God from their parents (Gen. 3:21) we might further conjecture that Cain’s offering was a departure from the norm, but with no more information than we are given at this point this is just conjecture. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews repeats that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and adds that it was offered “by faith” and that by it Abel was “commended as righteous” (Heb. 11:4). So much seems implicit in the Genesis narrative, but we must survey further revelation to see just how it is so.

The precise purpose of Noah’s sacrifice (Gen. 8:20-21) is not explicitly stated, only that “the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma” and promised continued blessing. This notion of “pleasing aroma” surely does not indicate that the smoking meat “smelled good” but that God was pleased with what the sacrifice signified and so on that basis promised blessing. The idea of satisfaction is not far away, but we will need further revelation to confirm this.

In Genesis 22 God commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac in sacrifice. Before the sacrifice was actually carried out, however, God provided a ram to die in Isaac’s place. Here the idea of divinely-provided substitution is prominent (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 8:32).

Although Job’s sacrifices (1:5) are not precisely defined we are told that they were offered to God because of sin. Likewise it was because of the sins of Job’s friends and God’s consequent anger against them that they were commanded to offer sacrifice (42:7-8). Here it is rather explicit that sacrifice is for the purpose of appeasing divine wrath against sinners.

In the command to sacrifice the Lamb of Passover (Exod. 12) the notion of sin is presumed, and the ideas of substitution (v.3, 13), rescue from divine judgment (v.12, 23), the necessity of blood (v.13, 22) become prominent. By the sacrifice of a qualified lamb whose blood was properly applied each Israelite household escaped the death of God’s judgment.

With God’s instructions concerning sacrifice given in Leviticus the theme begins to receive more explicit definition. The repeated occurrence of “sin” and phrases such as “if anyone sins” (or similar) and “for sin” scores of times throughout the book and the requirement that sacrifices be offered “confessing sin” all specify that it is sin that occasions the sacrifices and gives rise to their need. The descriptive terms “guilt offering” and “sin offering” and the requirements that the sacrifice itself be “without blemish” are reflective of the same. Similarly, the often repeated vocabulary of “atonement” ( kaphar / exilaskomai , indicating propitiation, appeasement ) and “forgiven” specify their purpose. Leviticus 5:10 serves well to summarize: “the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven.” On the Day of Atonement the priest was required to “lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins” (16:22). This symbolic action was to signify the transference of sin to the animal who, in turn, would “bear all their [Israel’s] iniquities on itself.” Elsewhere in Leviticus this oft-repeated expression “bear sin” consistently connotes responsibility for sin and liability to judgment (5:1, 17; 7:18; 10:17, etc.; cf. Isa. 53:12; 1Pet. 2:24). The killing of the animal thus signifies the divine judgment that sin merits. The symbolism of laying hands on the sacrificial animal, confessing sin, and then the ritual slaughter of the animal therefore conveys the idea of deliverance by substitution. Forgiveness is secured by substitutional sacrifice. Finally, the repeated assurance that the sacrifice was a “pleasing aroma to the Lord” symbolizes God’s satisfaction with the sacrifice and acceptance of the sinner.

Observations

Old Testament sacrifice was intended to signify more than mere homage. The significance was that of securing forgiveness, expiation of sin, through the offering of a substitute. The offeror is not portrayed as a mere creature but specifically as a sinner, a sinful creature in need of forgiveness. The offeror comes with a consciousness of sin seeking restoration to God’s favor by means of the acceptable sacrifice. The sacrificial victim itself is an intermediary, a substitute providing expiation. It bears the sin of the worshiper who receives forgiveness by that substitutional sin-bearing.

All this is to say that it belongs to the very nature of sacrifice that it is directed first to God. That is, it is designed to influence God, to appease him and satisfy his demand of judgment, and it is only with this satisfaction secured that the worshiper finds forgiveness.

The prominent ideas in Old Testament sacrifice are sin, guilt, and judgment on the one hand and satisfaction, expiation, forgiveness, and reconciliation on the other.

Sacrifice in Old Covenant Context

In its historical setting these sacrifices were provided in order to answer the question, How can a holy God live in the midst of a sinful people? In redeeming Israel from Egypt and in establishing them as a theocratic nation at Sinai (the old covenant) God had made Israel his own people. He pledged to be their God and to dwell with them accordingly. But how can his holy presence among sinners be established? The sacrificial system was given to answer this problem.

Of course there are questions that necessarily remain. Can an animal actually take the place of a man or woman? Can the blood of an animal actually atone for the sin of a nation? And if the sacrifices do indeed secure God’s favor and forgiveness, why must they be repeated?

The New Testament will take up these kinds of questions, but at the very least we can say that the Old Testament sacrificial system established the structure and frame of reference with regard to God’s redemptive purpose: Sinners may obtain divine favor if an acceptable substitute could be found to offer to God in sacrifice.

The Death of Christ as a Sacrifice

All this provides the background for the New Testament’s frequent description of the death of Christ in sacrificial terms; indeed, it cannot be understood otherwise. When Jesus himself and the New Testament writers employ language such as “give my life a ransom,” “ransom in his blood,” “by his blood,” “the blood of his cross,” “my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins,” “reconciled by his blood,” “justified by his blood,” “propitiation by his blood,” “through the death of his cross,” “made peace through the blood of his cross,” “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed,” “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” “him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,” “the lamb which takes away sin,” “he bore our sin,” “was made sin for us,” “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law having been made a curse for us,” and so on, they direct us to understand our Lord’s death in sacrificial categories. The terminology of propitiation, ransom, redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation, all find their meaning against the backdrop of Old Testament sacrifice.

All this teaches us just how it is that Jesus’ death effected our salvation. Our Lord’s death was that of a sacrifice. On the cross he offered himself to God in our place, bearing our sin and its deserved judgment; thus satisfying God’s just demands against us he frees us from our sin and reconciles us to God. All that the Old Testament sacrifices symbolized the Lord Jesus actually accomplished in his saving work. The former sacrifices were symbolic and anticipatory of what was actual in Christ’s offering of himself on our behalf. Just as the Old Testament sacrifices were directed first to God (propitiation) in order then to effect expiation, so our Lord’s death was offered to God (Eph. 5:2; Heb.9:14). His sacrifice of himself for his people was in God’s estimation “a fragrant offering” (Eph. 5:2) effecting propitiation (Rom. 3:24; Heb. 2:17; 1Jn. 2:2; 4:10), satisfying his just demands and thus appeasing his wrath and, in turn, expiating sin. Just as through the sacrifice of the Day of Atonement the people of Israel were, in the person of their representative priest, brought behind the curtain into the holy of holies, so also through the death of Christ we are brought into the very presence of God (Heb. 10:19-20; cf. Matt. 27:51; John 2:19-21).

On the one hand, then, we may speak of the Old Testament sacrifices as prospective, anticipating and symbolizing the saving work that Christ would actually accomplish in his death (Heb. 9:9; 10:1; cf. Col. 2:17). To say the same another way, the writer to the Hebrews specifies that the older sacrifices were in fact “copies” of the “true” sacrifice that Christ offered (Heb. 8:2, 5; 9:23-24; cf. 9:11-12). That is, Jesus’ sacrifice is the “original,” the reality – ultimately, his sacrifice was not patterned after the Old Testament sacrifices; rather, they were patterned after his coming sacrifice – the true sacrifice of which they were but a distant shadow.

Hebrews on the Sacrifice of Christ

The writer to the Hebrews highlights in several ways how the sacrifice of Christ excels the sacrifices of the old covenant.

• Christ’s sacrifice was offered only once (9:6-7, 11-12, 25-26, 28; 10:1, 10-12, etc.). The older sacrifices had to be repeated over and again, year after year. This would leave the thinking worshiper with doubts as to their real value (10:2-4), with little reason to assume that even the repeated offering of an animal could satisfy God or remove human guilt? The happy announcement of the gospel is that the sacrifice of Christ was of such value that it needed to be offered only once for all. Christ’s saving work is a finished work (cf. John 19:30), accomplished “once for all.”
• Christ’s sacrifice effected forgiveness (9:9-10, 12; 10:1, 4, 11, 18). Sin was the problem addressed in sacrifice – it demanded removal. The repetition of the older sacrifices testified to their inability to deal with sin with finality. They were inadequate. The sacrifice was not of sufficient value. But our Lord offered himself (9:12, 13, 26), a sacrifice of supreme value (cf. Heb. 1-2), effectual in removing sin. Again, what the older sacrifices only anticipated the sacrifice of Christ actually accomplished, and it is therefore able to “purge the conscience” (9:14) of guilt.
• Christ’s sacrifice was accepted in heaven , the true temple (8:2, 5; 9:1, 9, 11-12, 23, 24; 10:1). That is to say, it was not prospective of anything. It did not symbolize or anticipate the accomplishing of atonement. Accepted by God himself, in the true temple, forgiveness is assured.
• Christ’s sacrifice gained access to God (Heb. 9:7-8; 10:19-22). The old sacrificial system was designed to demonstrate that the way to God is not just open to anyone on any terms (v. 8). There must be a qualified priest and an acceptable sacrifice offered in an acceptable way. Even so, the people at large must stay back – only the high priest had access into the holy of holies and that just once a year and by a prescribed ceremony of sacrifice. We must not presume. It is a fearful thing to approach the holy God. But by the sacrifice of Christ the way now is open. All who come by him, on the ground of his sacrificial work, are accepted (cf. Matt. 27:51; John 2:19-21).

At the climax of this discussion the writer draws several applications, marked by the word “therefore”:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:19-24).

That is, if the sacrifice of Christ, offered once for all, was accepted in heaven itself, effecting forgiveness and gaining access to God, then let us be bold , confident in approaching God assured of our acceptance. Let us be confident , assured of our acceptance there with unwavering faith. Let us persevere through any difficulty with confidence of our final salvation, and let us encourage one another to the same.

Concluding Thoughts

The theme of sacrifice, then, takes us to the heart of the gospel and the essence of the Christian faith.

In a very real sense it [the theme of sacrifice] constitutes Christianity. It is this which differentiates Christianity from other religions. Christianity did not come into the world to proclaim a new morality and, sweeping away all the supernatural props by which men were wont to support their trembling, guilt-stricken souls, to throw them back on their own strong right arms to conquer a standing before God for themselves. It came to proclaim the real sacrifice for sin which God had provided in order to supersede all the poor fumbling efforts which men had made and were making to provide a sacrifice for sin for themselves; and, planting men’s feet on this, to bid them go forward. 1

Further Reading

• J. H. Kurtz, Offerings, Sacrifices, and Worship in the Old Testament
• Leon Morris, The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance .
• Alec Motyer, Six Ways the Old Testament Speaks Today
• Ronald Youngblood, The Heart of the Old Testament

This essay is part of the Concise Theology series. All views expressed in this essay are those of the author. This essay is freely available under Creative Commons License with Attribution-ShareAlike, allowing users to share it in other mediums/formats and adapt/translate the content as long as an attribution link, indication of changes, and the same Creative Commons License applies to that material. If you are interested in translating our content or are interested in joining our community of translators,  please reach out to us .

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On Sacrifice

• Moshe Halbertal
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Copyright year: 2012
• Edition: Course Book
• Audience: Professional and scholarly;College/higher education;
• Main content: 152
• Keywords: self-sacrifice ; religion ; ethics ; politics ; ritual ; violence ; love ; sacrificial community ; modern state ; sacrifice ; psychoanalysis ; evolutionary biology ; moral sphere ; war ; Western religious life ; Judaism ; temple worship ; Christianity ; God ; attentiveness ; exchange ; dependency ; humans ; instrumental relationship ; sacrificial system ; Jewish life ; charity ; suffering ; prayer ; martyr ; sacrificing for ; self-transcendence ; golden rule ; general will ; social contract ; categorical imperative ; utilitarianism ; original position ; agent-relative actions ; political violence ; self ; other ; laws of war ; soldiers ; civilians ; Paul Kahn ; political bond ; reliigous communities ; heroic sacrifices ; loyalty ; past sacrifice ; retroactive desecration ; political order ; cooperation ; competition ; individuals ; sovereign ; self-interest ; religious life ; ethical life ; political life ; state
• Published: February 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781400842353

• Relationships

Does Love Involve Sacrifice or Compromise?

Love is full of compromises and sacrifices..

Posted September 25, 2010 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

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"Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far the truest type of love." —Unknown

"A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it." —Oscar Wilde

The need for sacrifices and compromises is often mentioned in discussions of romantic relationships . Are the two the same, and if not, which of the two is most needed in romantic relationships? According to Romantic Ideology, love is frequently described as involving sacrifices and resisting compromises. In reality, the situation is typically the opposite—relationships require fewer sacrifices and more compromises.

To sacrifice is to give up something precious in order to gain or maintain something, such as a valuable relationship or some other worthy cause. Thus, we say that some women sacrifice their careers for their family. The term "sacrifice" is often used in religious contexts referring to the act of offering something precious to a deity, such as the sacrificial murder of a victim. As Romantic Ideology has certain aspects in common with religious beliefs, the term "sacrifice" is frequently used in romantic contexts as well. Intense love has no qualms about making considerable sacrifices.

To compromise is to give up the pursuit of a better prospect in order not to risk an existing situation, even if it is perceived to be somewhat worse than the prospect that is relinquished. Although the prospect might be better and even considered feasible, the person decides not to pursue it.

The realm of sacrifice is in the actual realm; the realm of compromise is in the possible and imaginary realm. Sacrifice entails actual deeds and losses. One cannot sacrifice in one's mind what one does not have in reality. Compromise typically entails inaction and possible losses, which are constantly reconsidered in our minds.

Compromises are loaded with intense emotional aspects and are harder to bear, as they involve unfinished business that could alter the existing situation. Sacrifices deal with actual and concrete actions. Like other actions, their consequences can be positive or negative, but once completed, they are over and tend not to carry a significant emotional load.

We are typically excited by things that are incomplete, unsettled, unexplained, or uncertain, as we perceive them to be unusual and so they demand our attention and thoughts. Once the situation is settled and established, there is no reason for the mental system to be on the alert and invest further resources. Courtship, flirting , extramarital affairs, and cyberlove are exciting, because they seem in a sense to be unfinished business.

When compromising, you give up something that you want and might in fact attain; when sacrificing, you give up something that you actually have. In this regard, it is worthwhile to compare the relationship between compromise and sacrifice to that between envy and jealousy . When envious, you want something that you do not have, and when jealous, you fear losing something precious that you have (such as an intimate relationship) to someone else. Jealousy is typically more painful, as it is harder to lose something personal that is already yours (especially when the loss is to a rival) than to fail to gain something that has never been yours. The situation in the compromise-sacrifice pair is the opposite: The potential loss has greater negative significance than the actual loss.

A major difference between the envy-jealousy pair and the compromise-sacrifice pair is that the situations of the former pair are forced upon us by external circumstances beyond our control, whereas in the latter pair we choose those circumstances.

The actual loss in jealousy is against the wish of the agent and refers to a most sensitive, personal aspect—the loss of a very intimate lover. Hence, it is more painful than envy, where the potential loss is less feasible and less personal. In sacrifice, the actual loss is chosen by the agent, and it refers to something with which the agent believes she can cope.

The potential loss in compromise is more emotionally painful, because it involves unfinished business; the person might not accept the compromise and might be constantly aware of its negative aspects. Sacrifice is less emotional as the person has willingly made it and has no further doubts concerning its value and necessity, unless the person begins to regret it. Sacrifice is so natural among lovers that they are sometimes not even aware of it. The typical emotion associated with compromise is frustration, while sacrifice is often associated with sympathy and compassion. The regret about missing a valuable opportunity is typically present in compromise and not in sacrifice.

The decision to make a sacrifice is taken in light of the great benefit for the other person or for the relationship, while the decision to compromise is mainly taken out of fear of the risk and potential damage in pursuing the alternative. In compromise, the agent still believes in the greater value of the possible alternative and hence does not fully accept the existing situation. Accordingly, when making sacrifices, people may not even stop to consider why they should make a sacrifice for their beloved. When making compromises, however, a sense of unfinished business can prevail, and people might continue to doubt the value of the compromise and yearn for the alternative. This will continue until they accommodate themselves to the new situation and no longer see it as entailing a compromise. Hence, compromises typically involve more emotional repercussions than do sacrifices.

Loving relationships involve both sacrifices and compromises. The sacrifices are easier to live with, and lovers attempt to accommodate to their compromises and no longer view them as such. So although sacrifices and compromises are prevalent in romantic relationships, in genuine love they are not experienced as such.

The above considerations can be encapsulated in the following statement that a lover might express: "Darling, please sacrifice something for me so that I know that you love me, and in return, I will stop considering you as the major compromise of my life."

Aaron Ben-Zeév, Ph.D., former President of the University of Haifa, is a professor of philosophy. His books include The Arc of Love: How Our Romantic Lives Change Over Time.

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