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Pierced for our transgressionsRediscovering the glory of penal substitutionThe glory of the crossPIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS Ever since Steve Chalke supported the provocative criticism of penal substitution as ‘a form of cosmic child abuse’ there have been numerous replies in support of a doctrine vital to the Protestant Reformers and so precious to evangelical believers of the past. This book is special in helping ordinary Christians as well as pastors and scholars to get to grips with the modern debate concerning the teaching which 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’. In part one of the book, the authors set out the positive case for penal substitution, bringing together ‘a detailed examination of the key biblical passages, a consideration of the important theological and doctrinal issues, and a comprehensive survey of the teaching of the Christian church through the ages’. The second part of the book seeks to answer the objections raised against this classical evangelical belief. For Ralph Davis, in his commendation of the book, the scriptural case presented ‘is in itself worth the price of the book’. The biblical evidence covers passages from Exodus 12, Leviticus 16, Isaiah 52.13-53.12, Mark, John, Romans and 1 Peter. New perspective ideas are not allowed to diminish the importance of such texts as Galatians 3.10-13. As the theological framework for penal substitution is considered, various important themes are covered, including God’s initial good creative work which has been spoiled (‘decreation’) and needing a work of recreation, God’s righteous, holy character resulting in his faithfulness to his warnings of judgement and promises of salvation, and God’s love toward his creation shown supremely in the atonement. If penal substitution were excluded it would be to the serious detriment of many of these other themes. The pastoral importance of the subject is not overlooked. Its implications concerning the assurance of God’s love, confidence in God’s truthfulness, a passion for God’s justice and realism about our sin are presented. This is followed by looking at 21 preachers and theologians from early church times to the present day, including Justin Martyr, Athanasius, Chrysostom, Aquinas, Bunyan, Spurgeon, Lloyd-Jones and Stott, who have taught how significant penal substitution is to the Christian gospel. To help those who have been unsettled by the recent criticisms of the doctrine, or who are suspicious of it, or are undecided, 26 objections are analysed and responses made in a charitable yet firm way. The authors also draw attention to the vague and sometimes emotive language of objectors to the doctrine and encourage readers not to be intimidated but to engage in the hard work of looking at the biblical teaching. An appendix gives both a warning and helpful advice particularly to preachers over the use of illustrations to describe the doctrine of penal substitution. The book also possesses a useful bibliography, a subject and author index and an index of biblical references. There is nothing stodgy or dull about this book. It is very readable, clear and pastoral in its approach. Every preacher and church member should possess a copy. Highly recommended. Philip H. Eveson, © Evangelicals Now - October 2007 |