I began this series on the atonement with a question about whether or not the crucifixion of Christ was God’s active will, or His permitted will. The Cathechism provides the answer from the Catholic perspective: CCC600 To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of … Continue reading The Image of the Father and Penal Substitution Theology
God-Forsaken
God Forsaken – Christ on the Cross
One of the most moving moments in the narrative of Christ’s passion is his cry from the cross to His Father, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). The understanding of this passage is another area where Protestant and Catholic theology will in general diverge. Protestant Reformed minister RC … Continue reading God Forsaken – Christ on the Cross
God-Forsaken – Christ in the Garden
My favorite mystery of the rosary has always been The Agony in the Garden. It returns me to those Holy Thursday evenings of my youth. After the celebration of the Holy Thursday liturgy we would return to the church between the hours of nine and midnight to “watch one hour with me.” (Matthew 26:40, Mark … Continue reading God-Forsaken – Christ in the Garden
God-Forsaken – Christ at the Last Supper
One of the more prominent arguments used to support penal substitution atonement theology is the cry of Jesus from the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). The view is that because God is punishing Jesus for our sins, and he “became” sin for us, God turns his back … Continue reading God-Forsaken – Christ at the Last Supper
Between the Farm and the Cross 