Gregory Nazianzen on the atonement of Christ

We must now examine the question and the dogma so often passed over in silence, but which (I think) demands no less deep study. To whom was that blood offered, that was shed for us, and why was it shed? I mean the precious and glorious blood of God, the blood of the High Priest and of the Sacrifice. We were in bondage to the devil and sold under sin, having become corrupt through our concupiscence. Now, since a ransom is paid to him who holds us in his power, I ask to whom such a price was offered and why?

If to the devil it is outrageous! The robber receives the ransom, not only from God, but a ransom consisting of God Himself. He demands so exorbitant a payment for his tyranny that it would have been right for him to have freed us altogether.

But if the price is offered to the Father, I ask first of all, how? For it was not the Father who held us captive. Why then should the blood of His only begotten Son please the Father, who would not even receive Isaac when he was offered as a whole burnt offering by Abraham, but replaced the human sacrifice with a ram?

Is it not evident that the Father accepts the sacrifice not because He demanded it or because He felt any need for it, but on account of economy: because Man must be sanctified by the humanity of God, and God Himself must deliver us by overcoming the tyrant through his own power, and drawing us to Himself by the mediation of the Son who effects this all for the honor of God, to whom He was obedient in everything…

What remains to be said shall be covered with a reverent silence

— Gregory Nazianzen, In Sanctum Pascha