Subtraction by Addition

"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:17).

Some people don't see the glory in the penal substitutionary atonement for various reasons. When we try to make the gospel too much about a relationship or a better life we think we are giving immediate application for the sinner so that they understand things better. The problem is that it can hinder people from seeing the necessity of the cross and the great kindness of God.

That said, here is a quick breakdown of one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith, namely the penal substitutionary atonement. Don't run away from this because it has a big word or two in the name, it is really quite simple.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands . This he set aside, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).


This is typical of the great Christian doctrines because it is simple enough for a child to understand and yet, at the same time, complex enough for PHD students to write their dissertations on. The three writers of Pierced For Our Transgressions give a simple definition,

"The doctrine of penal substitution states that God gave himself in the person of his Son to suffer instead of us the death, punishment and curse due to fallen humanity as the penalty for sin" (p 21).

This is an essential of the gospel that must be understood to some extent for a person to be saved.

Penal because we deserve wrath.
Substitutionary because he took it in our place.
Atonement because it worked.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen