An article written by Dr Clifford Hill and published in Prophecy Today a few weeks ago provoked a large volume of concerned comments from readers. (Clifford was, of course, sharing his own considered thoughts, and not speaking on behalf of either Issachar Ministries or Prophecy Today).
Dr Hill was writing about the influence of worship songs in shaping our understanding of the Christian faith. He cited a particular verse written by Stuart Townend in the popular modern hymn, ‘In Christ Alone’ that he believes could give a distorted view of the Fatherhood of God. The hymn includes the line ‘On that cross, as Jesus died / the Wrath of God was satisfied’. Clifford claimed that in Paul’s writing to the Romans there is no suggestion that the justice of God was satisfied by the crucifixion of Jesus.
Clifford is not the first to query the efficacy of this line in the otherwise masterful ‘In Christ Alone’, nor to query aspects of various theories of the atonement. With hindsight he fully acknowledges that he could have explained himself more coherently. Some of his thoughts are perhaps better summed up in this thoughtful blog by evangelical Anglican minister, the Rev Ian Paul, although their approaches differ, with Clifford coming at it from his study on the Roman influences on theology in the early centuries of Christianity, and how it has misinterpreted the concept of ‘justice’ as used by the prophets of Israel, Jesus and Paul.
The atonement itself – the belief that Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice necessary to make possible the forgiveness of the sins of humankind – is a central and essential Christian doctrine to which PT and Clifford fully adhere. Yet while major creeds such as the Nicene Creed affirm atonement, they don’t tell us how such atonement has achieved our salvation.
The atonement itself – the belief that Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice necessary to make possible the forgiveness of the sins of humankind – is a central and essential Christian doctrine
In attempting to fill that gap, various doctrines of the atonement have developed over the centuries. One of these is the Satisfaction theory, which draws significantly from the works of Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (1033–1109). This states that we have all robbed God of the honour that is due to him. For that honour to be fully repaid, something greater than all creation needs to be offered in compensation. Only humans can pay it, but only God has the power to do so. God became human in Jesus Christ, and freely offered himself to the Father; thus dealing with the sins of mankind.
The doctrine of Penal substitution is a later development, being advocated by Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin. ‘Penal’ implies that God needed to punish sinners, and that the Father poured out his wrath and judgement on the Son in penal substitution, judgement is absorbed (whereas in the satisfaction theory, it is averted).
While there is no single biblical verse that fully supports penal substitution (Anselm relied on logic and reason), the clearest scriptural support is found in 2 Corinthians 5.21 and Galatians 3.13, although many also quote parts of Isaiah 53. Penal substitution is the theory accepted by the majority of evangelicals, including many within Issachar Ministries and Prophecy Today.
Human models which try to explain biblical truths are often best held loosely and not applied rigidly
Other theories of the atonement include the ransom theory, the recapitulation theory and the Abelardian theory. Each theory has its strengths, but each also its limitations. Human models which try to explain biblical truths are often best held loosely and not applied rigidly, in the same way that biblical images such as the parables of Jesus aren’t meant to be taken too literally.
In the past we have not been afraid of dealing with controversial issues in Prophecy Today. Jesus encouraged his disciples to search for the truth by thinking for themselves; e.g., when dealing with the young man who asked how he might be saved, Jesus responded with another question, “What does the law say?” This forced him to search for the truth, because once he had worked it out for himself, he was more likely to truly embrace it.
That is one of the ways that believers can grow in their faith, and a main task of Prophecy Today is to equip the Bible believing remnant to be able to stand fast in these days of great deception.
