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
Penal Substitution
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 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
Penal Substitution Theology and God’s Need
In my last post I began to identify the problems from a Catholic perspective with the Protestant concept of Christ’s passion as being one of “penal substitution” – the concept that on the cross Christ is being punished by God for our sins. I will continue with that over the next several posts. Consider some … Continue reading Penal Substitution Theology and God’s Need
An overview of Protestant Penal Substitution Theology
With the advent of Protestantism in the sixteenth century, the understanding of the atonement undergoes a significant change in thinking. This theology is generally referred to as “penal substitution.” As with the Catholic understanding, in this view Christ is our substitute. The foundational difference is in the way he is standing in our place. As … Continue reading An overview of Protestant Penal Substitution Theology
Between the Farm and the Cross 