I think of my friend Peter Orr as a theological mentor. He generously reads through sermons and answers questions for me. He is a lot brighter than I am and has a fuller knowledge of the Bible. He is currently studying for a PhD in Durham.
I sent the following email to him:
I am trying to get my head around Penal Substitution [the idea that Jesus takes the punishment, in our place, for our sin]. I was wondering if you think that I am on the right track with the following thoughts.
1. We must not have a 'pick and mix' approach to various aspects of the atonement. For example we can not decide to emphasis the theme of reconciliation instead of justification because that seems to relate better to our culture. The reason we cannot do this is because the various achievements of the cross are intertwined and should not be separated from one another.
2. That various concepts to picture the event of the cross--making a sacrifice (acknowledging that not all sacrifices were sin offerings), paying a ransom price (Mark 10:45, 1 Tim. 2:6, Titus 2:14), redeeming (Gal 4:5) and taking upon oneself the curse of the law (Gal. 3:10-14)--contribute to our understanding of a penal substitute.
3. The results of the cross redemption (Eph. 1:7), justification (Romans 3:26), reconciliation (Romans 5:9-11, 2 Cor. 5:18-21), forgiveness (Eph 1:7) and deliverance (Col. 1:13) are the achievements of penal substitution.
4. Indeed choosing to emphasise reconciliation with God rather than justification before God is simply to emphasise one achievement of the cross and ignore another and so gives less than the full picture of Christ's achievement.
5. The event and achievements of the cross are held together by the concept of penal substitution.
1. We must not have a 'pick and mix' approach to various aspects of the atonement. For example we can not decide to emphasis the theme of reconciliation instead of justification because that seems to relate better to our culture. The reason we cannot do this is because the various achievements of the cross are intertwined and should not be separated from one another.
2. That various concepts to picture the event of the cross--making a sacrifice (acknowledging that not all sacrifices were sin offerings), paying a ransom price (Mark 10:45, 1 Tim. 2:6, Titus 2:14), redeeming (Gal 4:5) and taking upon oneself the curse of the law (Gal. 3:10-14)--contribute to our understanding of a penal substitute.
3. The results of the cross redemption (Eph. 1:7), justification (Romans 3:26), reconciliation (Romans 5:9-11, 2 Cor. 5:18-21), forgiveness (Eph 1:7) and deliverance (Col. 1:13) are the achievements of penal substitution.
4. Indeed choosing to emphasise reconciliation with God rather than justification before God is simply to emphasise one achievement of the cross and ignore another and so gives less than the full picture of Christ's achievement.
5. The event and achievements of the cross are held together by the concept of penal substitution.
Peter agreed with the above (although I am not sure what my friend Nick will think!!)
4 comments:
So, you see Penal Subsititution as a unifying model?
I think it might be a model that unifies rather than a unifying model. I tend to think of things such as justification, reconciliation, victory over evil as being achievements of PS.
Paul
Paul, I accept much of what you say. Yet I wonder is PS an a facet of atonement or is it atonement?
This sunday I'm preaching on Jn 12:31. I'm stating that because Satan is now cast out because of the cross 1)we can now we are are reconciled (free to come to the Father), 2) we are free from the power of sin, 3) we overcome the powers of the air (spiritual, social, military (and paramilitary) economic and political),4)we are free from death. Is this a PS issue or a Christus Victor issue?
Still reading Pierced... I find it a heart warming book... really. Thanks
Nick
I wonder if the Christus Victor comes out of the act of PS. Becuase Jesus has paid the pena;ty for our sin Satan no longer has any right to accuse those who turn to Christ and has no authority over them.
Paul
I am glad you are enjoying Pierced for our Transgressions.
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