What is wrong with penal substitution?
He argued that penal substitution was “irrational, incoherent, immoral and impossible.” His objections were as follows: Perfect satisfaction for sin, even by way of substitution, leaves no room for divine forgiveness or pardon. It is unjust both to punish the innocent and to allow the guilty to go free.
What is substitutionary theory?
Substitution Theory This theory suggests that the primary purpose of Jesus’ death was to satisfy God’s justice. Thus, the primary force of the atonement was not directed towards restoring humanity or prevailing over the evil one; instead it served as a payment to God for wrongdoing committed against him.
What are the three theories of atonement?
The Atonement raises a number of different interrelated philosophical questions: 1) Why did Christ die on the cross? 2) How does Christ dying make it possible for our sins to be forgiven? 3) If God is omnipotent, why couldn’t God forgive our sins without Christ dying?
Is penal substitution unjust?
The doctrine of penal substitution is almost invariably dismissed by its critics in a single paragraph, even a single sentence, to the effect that it would be unjust of God to punish an innocent person for others’ sins, end of discussion.
Why was Jesus made a substitute for us?
He was unfailing in his obedience to God’s law and in His substitutionary death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of humanity from sin. Without Christ being a substitute for us, there would be no gospel. No hope of reconciliation. No hope of forgiveness.
What is the Catholic view of Atonement?
The satisfaction theory of atonement is a theory in Catholic theology which holds that Jesus Christ redeemed humanity through making satisfaction for humankind’s disobedience through his own supererogatory obedience.
Does propitiation mean Atonement?
Like those words, propitiation is commonly used in a religious context. It’s especially used in Christianity to refer to the act of propitiation that Christians believe Jesus made to atone for sin—or to the atonement that Christians believe they should make to God.
What is limited atonement in Calvinism?
Calvinists do not believe the power of the atonement is limited in any way, which is to say that no sin is too great to be expiated by Christ’s sacrifice, in their view.
Did Jesus atone for our sins?
As part of His Atonement, Jesus suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary. By repenting of our sins, we can bring the power of His Atonement into our lives.
What is Anselm’s theory of atonement?
Anselm’s “satisfaction” theory of atonement posits that Christ’s death on the cross func- tioned as a gift to God on behalf of humanity to restore the order of justice subverted by sin. Especially in recent years, the theory has been criticized for obscuring God’s mercy.
What is the basic meaning of the word atonement?
Definition of atonement 1 : reparation for an offense or injury : satisfaction a story of sin and atonement He wanted to find a way to make atonement for his sins. 2 : the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. 3 Christian Science : the exemplifying of human oneness with God.
Why do sinners need propitiation?
Many Reformed theologians stress the idea of propitiation because it specifically addresses dealing with God’s wrath, and consider it to be a necessary element for understanding how the atonement as penal substitution makes possible Christ’s propitiation for sins by dying in the place of sinners.