Have We Misunderstood the Gospel?
What Jesus accomplished by dying on the cross is primary to what it means to be Christian. Jesus’ death wasn’t just a random side quest, but it is described as the “power of God” and the reason why we can be made right with God!
One of the descriptions of what Jesus accomplished on the cross is called “Penal Substitutionary Atonement”. If this title feels intimidating, don’t worry. It’s actually very understandable. It simply describes how Jesus took our place to pay the penalty we deserve.
It might be surprising to some that this belief has been questioned by some prominent leaders in Christianity, and it has become a hot topic once again in recent months. For example, John Mark Comer, who used to be the lead pastor at Bridgetown Church in Portland, posted on his Instagram a few months ago, “One of the most important academic books I’ve read in years…this seems to be the final biblical/exegetical knockout blow to PSA.”
Because of the current relevance of this topic, I wanted to provide a quick intro to what is being discussed and why it is important for us as followers of Jesus!
What is Penal Substitutionary Atonement?
Simply put, PSA teaches that on the cross Jesus took our place by taking the penalty we deserved so that we could be made right with God.
You can see the breakdown below through the meaning of the words.
- Penal: Penalty
- Substitution: taking the place of
- Atonement: reparation or reconciliation of wrongdoing (onement)
Why is PSA being questioned?
Advocates against PSA believe that the Bible does not talk about Jesus dying on the cross as our substitute. Jesus partook in our suffering through his life and death, and therefore, we can partake in his resurrection life. If the Bible doesn’t talk about Jesus being our substitute, they believe Jesus receiving the wrath of God for our sins in our place teaches some kind of cosmic or divine child abuse. How could the Father place His wrath for the sins of mankind on His innocent Son?
What Biblical backing is there for PSA and why is it important?
Below are some key passages that speak to the necessity of Christ being the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
- Humanity is sinful and guilty.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10)
- God is holy and just.
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
“But because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 2:5)
- Jesus’s sacrifice is the substitute for our sin.
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood…” (Romans 3:23-25)
If Jesus did not pay the penalty of our sins on the cross as our substitute, that means God’s justice against sin has not yet been satisfied. God hates evil and promised to righteously judge sin! God will judge sin because He is also love. Jesus did not just die to partake in the suffering we experience, but he died to take the penalty and punishment we deserve!
Those who accuse PSA as teaching a doctrine of divine child abuse do not appropriately consider the relationship of the Trinity. The Father was not holding Jesus against his will to die on the cross, but the Trinity was working in perfect unity to defeat sin and death forever! Jesus willingly took our sin and shame on the cross to share his love with us and glorify the Father! The author of Hebrews said, “…who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).
As Christians, you and I can be confident that because of Christ’s death, the wrath of God for our sins has been satisfied. When we find refuge in the blood of Christ, we are seen as blameless before the Lord not because of anything we have done but completely because of His grace!
Where can I go to learn more?
- “In My Place Condemned He Stood: Penal Substitutionary Atonement”
- “Easing Comer’s Fears on Penal Substitution”
- The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views
Jacob Abrahamson
Youth Pastor