Confusion Concerning the Atonement

I have often said in my preaching and teaching that bad doctrine always produces negative consequences, and sound doctrine always produces positive consequences. This is true both in the life of the Christian as well as in the effectiveness of the Gospel. This principle is evident concerning many doctrinal positions, yet certainly true concerning the doctrine of the atonement.

There are multiple theories within Christianity concerning the atonement of Christ. The “Penal Substitution” theory is probably the most common in Evangelicalism, especially among those who hold to Calvinism. In this theory the Son of God is punished for all of the sins of the “elect.” It is a judicial transference of the punishment against humans to Jesus Christ. The problem with this theory, which is often exploited by non-Christians, is that the Bible portrays God as “forgiving” our sins, and true forgiveness does not require punishment at all but rather forgoing punishment in favor of mercy. We are to forgive others in the same way that God forgave us, which does not require that a penalty be enacted at all, but that mercy is shown.

Another theory common among Christians is the payment of a debt that we owe God. Yet again, the payment of a debt to God by another cancels out the whole concept of forgiveness as a free gift. The debt is satisfied, paid by another, not forgiven.

Another theory concerns purchasing back slaves from Satan. But in what way does the death of Christ pay Satan?

True “forgiveness” by God cannot in any way require satisfaction of a legal judgment, payment of a debt, or purchasing of a slave. Forgiveness is completely based on God’s love, generosity, mercy, and grace, all of which He freely bestows as a free gift. This fact is often used very effectively against Christianity in both Judaism and Islam, and should cause Christians to seriously consider whether the above explanations are what Scripture teaches.

If the above theories are incorrect, what then is the point of the death of Christ and His atonement? On what basis does God freely give His mercy and grace to sinners? Consider Paul’s explanation in the following passage:

Romans 3:21-26 (NASB) 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The above passage clearly states several times that the “redemption” was intended to publicly display God’s righteousness. It also states plainly that we are justified freely as a gift by God’s grace.

Yet there is much more on display in this “demonstration.”

2 Cor. 5:21 (NASB) 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:24 (NASB) and He Himself BORE our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

The Greek word translated “bore” literally means to “carry up.” Here Peter was referencing Isaiah 53 where this this terminology is used twice.

Isaiah 53:5, 11-12 (NASB) 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. … 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will BEAR their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself BORE the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

Jesus’ horrific death on the cross was a public demonstration of the ugliness of man’s sin from God’s perspective. If you want to know what our sin looks like to God, look at the ugliness of the Son of God hanging on a cross. The cross illustrates the extreme contrast between God’s righteousness and the utter repulsiveness of our sin. These are illustrations. They are meant to provoke a hatred of our own sin and a deep admiration for God’s righteousness as well as our helplessness to achieve God’s standard of righteousness. To God, sinful humanity looks like His Son, a bloody mess hanging on a cross.

Consider also Jesus’ own statement:

John 3:14 (NASB) 4 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

This begs the question: In what way does Moses’ lifting up the serpent on a pole parallel Jesus’ crucifixion? The bronze serpent was intended to be the image of those serpents who had bitten the Israelites. And God had sent those serpents to punish the Israelites for their sin. To look upon the bronze serpent was to come to terms with the ugliness of their sin against God. It was meant to humble them, to accept responsibility and the gravity of their offense, and God’s justice in punishing them.

Just as with the bronze serpent, the sight of Jesus’ brutal torture and execution on that cross is intended to come face to face with the horror of our sins, to validate God’s justice in condemning us to death, and to drive us to repentance and calling for mercy. Then, to exercise faith in God’s promise of forgiveness. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” When we humble ourselves, realizing our repulsiveness to God in contrast to His own righteousness and justice, and we obey the Gospel, God then freely gives the gift of His forgiveness of sins. But He will not give it to those who refuse to humble themselves before Him and acknowledge their guilt and God’s justice.

The animal sacrifices under the Law of Moses had a similar function. They were intended to impress upon the individual the ugliness of his sin to God. The sacrifice of God’s own Son was meant to drive this point home to the extreme, to lead us to repentance and to fully rely on Him for our salvation, since there is no way that we can bridge the gap ourselves between God’s righteousness and our sinfulness.

This explanation of the atonement not only answers the objections of Judaism and Islam, it also provides the catalyst for Christians to pursue holiness by learning to hate our sin.