Becky, do you remember what I posted last week, about viewing Jesus's death as an act of reconciling the world with God, rather than as one of atoning for sin? Check this out.... that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)I don't wish to intrude, but ... could not JESUS' death have effected both results (i.e. reconciling the world to God ... and ... atoning for sin) ?
In fact, ... does not the verse you referenced indicate this ... ?... that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
I would distinguish between the forgiveness of sin and the atonement for sin. Consider my #2 hobbyhorse scripture passage.
The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)
Clear and to the point. How can you reconcile the plain meaning of this passage with the belief that Jesus's death in some way atoned for the sins of mankind?