The Atonement Debate
On the cross of Calvary, God poured out his wrath on Christ, in the place of sinners.
Do you think that such a notion is a “twisted version of events,” or “morally dubious,” or a “huge barrier to faith”?Do you think that the doctrine of penal substitution, God punishing Christ in our place, is a form of “cosmic child abuse”?
Did you know that there is an ongoing debate among some in the evangelical camp who are embarrassed and even hate the truth claim that Jesus’ death was a divine wrath-bearing event?
A brand new book by Zondervan brings forth part of this discussion, focusing on the controversy as it appeared in the UK in the Evangelical Alliance. The Atonement Debate: Papers from the London Symposium on the Theology of Atonement is a collection of papers from a symposium held by the Evangelical Alliance and the London School of Theology. Here is the description of the book:
When a popular British evangelical leader appeared to denounce the idea that God was punishing Christ in our place on the cross as a “twisted version of events,” “morally dubious,” and a “huge barrier to faith” and suggested the idea should be rejected in favor of preaching only that God is love, major controversy was stirred. Many thought the idea of penal substitution was at the heart of the evangelical understanding of the cross, if no the only legitimate interpretation of the death of Christ.The public debate which resulted was often heated. In order to act as reconcilers, the Evangelical Alliance and the London School of Theology called for a symposium which advocates of the different positions could engage each other. The symposium, which was attended by some 200 participants, drew together many of Britain’s finest evangelical theologians. This book contains the collection of papers given at the symposium, supplemented by a few others for the sake of rounding out the agenda, and grouped in convenient sections.
The undermining of penal substitution is not new. Attacks and redefinitions of this core doctrine have been around for ages. However, in recent times, it was the book The Lost Message of Jesus by Steve Chalk that sought to take away the doctrine of propitiation while at the same time claiming a place at the evangelical table.
The Atonement Debate is a response to Chalke and others within the EA. It is long (360 pages), substantial, and contains chapters by numerous authors, including Chalke himself. Sections include “Biblical Foundations,” “Theological Contributions,” “Historical Perspectives,” and “Contemporary Perspectives.” In other words, biblical, systematic, historical, and contemporary apologetic angles are all addressed in this book.
Make no mistake, mixing up and altering the doctrine of the atonement is an offense against the gospel itself. This is a doctrine of first-order importance. The Bible is clear that sins must be atoned for, and it is equally clear that we cannot make that atonement for ourself. Only a sinless savior can become the “curse” for sinners. Only Christ’s atonement can fulfill the work of both substitution and satisfaction. He substituted himself on behalf of sinners. He satisfied the demand of divine punishment (wrath, propitiation). And all that was done by Christ in suffering for us was done as a work of Trinitarian harmony.
Pastors, we must especially deepen our understanding of the biblical doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement, as well as the historical and contemporary attacks on it. This will involve diligent study and hard work. But the reward is found in knowing and defending and preaching a gospel that truly leads to life and salvation.
Here are some additional resources on penal substitutionary atonement:A recent audio message by Dr. Al Mohler, delivered at Together for the Gospel 2008, titled “Why do They Hate It So: The Doctrine of Substitution.”
R.C. Sproul audio message, “The Curse Motif of the Atonement”, delivered at Together for the Gospel 2008.
Adrian Warnock, “Steve Chalke and the Lost Message of Jesus”.
John Piper, “Defending My Father’s Wrath”.
Mark Dever’s Christianity Today article on the atonement.
Scott Lamb pastored Providence Baptist Church in St. Louis for seven years, and now serves as Director of Research for the President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. 
Ah, an opportunity for a serious theological debate. For my first comment, how about this one:
“..but we preach Christ Crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” I Cor 1:23,24
Now, struggling with the crucifiction and the atonement is normal, and a good thing. At some point, however, the leap of faith is required. I haven’t read the book, but I think I understand the basic arguments, and those arguments have been on the table for the last 2000 years (see above).
We gloss over Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and concentrate on the Triumphal Entry (palm sunday) and the Resurrection (Easter). We don’t, I think, want to face the Crucifiction for what it is.