The Objection
The Hebrew Bible explicitly condemns human sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31, 18:10). Jewish objectors argue that Christianity's central doctrine—that Jesus died as a sacrifice for sin—contradicts this prohibition. God would not require what He explicitly forbade.
Key Claims
Human sacrifice condemned in Torah
God does not change His laws
Animal sacrifice or repentance sufficient
Jesus' death cannot atone for sin
Torah
Christian Response
How apologists address this objection
Jesus' death was not a pagan human sacrifice but a voluntary self-offering by the divine Son of God, fulfilling the sacrificial system's purpose.
The prohibition was against pagan child sacrifice to false gods—categorically different
Jesus voluntarily laid down His life (John 10:18)—not murdered against His will
The Passover lamb and Day of Atonement sacrifices pointed forward to a greater sacrifice
Isaiah 53:10: 'The LORD was pleased to crush him... if he would render himself as a guilt offering'
Jesus is both the divine priest and the offering—transcending the animal sacrifice system
John Stott, The Cross of Christ