Penal Substitution
That Jesus died on the cross no-one denies (that is, no-one who calls himself Christian). That he died because of sin is also agreed by all. The big question is what we mean by ‘he died because of sin’. What was the death of Jesus actually changing? In the words of J I Packer, in his important Tyndale Lecture on Penal Substitution, ’What did the Cross Achieve?’
The answer to this question theologians put under the rubric, ‘Theories of the Atonement’. I understand why they do so, however, it is language that disturbs me. It implies that our understanding of what the cross achieved is no more than speculation by men, and by implication of little significance. Certainly, where these ‘theories’ find little or no base in Scripture they ought to be treated as insignificant if not totally discounted. However, some of these ‘theories’ simply reflect a clear reading of the Bible. In a word, they are not human theories but revealed truths; not speculation but Scripture. This gives teaching on what the cross achieves very great significance indeed – either for good or ill.
There are three distinct ‘groups’ the cross affects.
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About John
Hi there - I am a member of Greenview and have been for over 20 years. For a number of these years I functioned as an elder, however, indifferent health forced me to take more of a back seat. I see this as an opportunity to do a little writing, often focussing on issues that are a matter of evangelical debate today. Naturally the views expressed are my own and may not reflect the views of the elders or church at large, though differences are likely to be in the detail and not the substance.
These articles and sermons were written partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly with the intention of provoking thought in others who may read them. If you read one I hope you find it stimulating. Please feel free to give me feedback or discuss my articles in the forums.
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