Why it matters what we believe about Christ's death

We praise God for the gracious gift of salvation that is ours through Christ. Jesus' death on the cross, a defining moment in making salvation possible, was an event of cosmic magnitude that includes elements we still do not completely understand.

The Bible does give clear teaching on what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross. However, when talking about His death, we may sometimes repeat statements that have implications we have not considered.

• Jesus paid the penalty for my sin.
• Jesus took our place and received God's punishment.
• Jesus suffered the torments of Hell for us.

Where do such statements come from? Do they align with what the Bible teaches about Christ's atonement? Does it matter how we describe Christ's sacrifice on the cross?

This in-depth study of the Scriptures exposes some of the false ideas about salvation permeating churches today. It explores the implications of misunderstanding how Christ's death brings us forgiveness, and calls us back to a simple New Testament understanding of atonement through Christ's sacrifice.

Contents

• Introduction

• 1. The Crux of the Matter
• 2. Varieties of Penal Theories
• 3. The Penal Theory Conflicts With God's Revelation in the Old Testament
• 4. The Penal Theory Denies the Holiness and Unity of God
• 5. The Penal Theory Leads to False Understandings of Salvation, Forgiveness, and Life in Christ
• 6. The Penal Theory Denies the Efficacy of the Blood and Jesus' Work in the Body
• 7. The Penal Theory Assumes Something the Bible Does Not Teach
• 8. What Is the "Price" of Our Salvation?
• 9. Scriptures and Arguments Used to Support the Penal Theory
• 10. It's Not Just About Words

• Epilogue: Is Jesus' Sacrifice Enough?