Well-known atheist Bible scholar Bart Ehrman argues that "Luke" didn´t believe in the atonement. That is, the New Testament writer known as Luke, who wrote both the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Paul, Mark and Matthew *did* believe that the death of Jesus was an atonement for sin, but Luke had a different perspective. (Ehrman doesn´t discuss John.)
Yes, people should repent of their sins (including the sin of killing Jesus). If they do, God will forgive them. However, "foregiveness" and "atonement" are two different concepts, usually blurred in later theology. In the Lukan scenario, God doesn´t demand a sin sacrifice as payment. Turning towards God with a repentant heart is enough to receive foregiveness.
Ehrman believes that Luke´s perspective was the original message of Jesus himself. The notion that the crucifixion was an atonement was a response to the failure of Jesus to inaugurate the apocalypse during his lifetime.
Ehrman also points out that Luke had a stronger social message than Matthew. In Luke, Jesus says that the poor are blessed, in Matthew it´s "the poor in spirit". But note that both believe in work-based salvation!
Frankly a bit boring, but still interesting.
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