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Theology

Atonement & all things pertaining

L
Logic Sep 15, 2007

[b]Genisis 2:17[/b] [color=990000]But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof [b]you shall surely die[/b].[/color]
The judment was death, therefore, the Atonement includes the punishment for sin as our substitute(Penal) so that the judgment of death is caried out.
The Atonement is not disciplinary or the law is not for rehabilitation intended to reform humankind of which it would be if it wasn't penal.

Atonement is the translated word kaw-far' from Hebrew to English which means “to cover” of the Jewish Fast of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It incorporates the words reconciliation, propitiation (satisfaction) and forgiveness. The work of Christ on His cross makes away for salvation while the salvation it's self comes from the relationship one has with Him and not just in what he did on the cross.

[b]1:[/b] Reconciliation = To restore a broken relationsip.
[b]2:[/b] Propitiation = A satisfaction, appeasement of wrath from a transgression of the law.
[b]3:[/b] Forgiveness = To pardon an offense or an offender of the law.

To understand how the the Atonement (sacrifice of Jesus) restores a relationsip with God, appeases his wrath, and pardons our sin, we must know what God says.
God uses His law on the account of sin to implement the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God says,
[b]Deut 21:23[/b] [color=990000]His body shall not remain overnight on the tree (cross), but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who hangs on a tree is accursed of God.[/color].
Jesus was taken off the cross that same day He died so the curse of sin would stay on Him.

[b]Hebrews 9:14-15[/b] [color=990000]How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through his eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
[b]:15[/b] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new covenant, [b]that by means of death[/b], for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.[/color]
[b]Lev.17:11[/b] [color=990000]For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the alter to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.[/color]
[b]Eze 18:20a[/b] [color=990000]The soul that sins, it shall die.[/color]
[b]Heb. 9:22[/b] [color=990000]for without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin[/color]

For man to be legally pronounced just, is not impossible, however, there is but one ground of the justification of man outside of grace, that is by obedience to the law.
I repeat, there can be no justification in a [b]legal sense[/b], but upon the ground of perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law.
Jesus is the only Man that has accomplished this, He performed the law perfectly, therefore, while in His earthly ministry, He would have had a perfect conscience from sin according to(Hebrews 9:9)

Christ was required perfect obedience to the law for Himself, however, since he perfectly obeyed, he did not need to suffer the penalty of death for breaking the law as we who have broken the law do. He could, therefore, suffer the penalty of death for in our place as a proxy.

[b]Romans 3:19a[/b] [color=990000]We know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those under the Law[/color]
Therefore, in order for man to be justified; man must be taken out from under the law. This only comes by death which is to satisfy the law. Having been set free from the Law by dieing to the Law through the body of Christ.(Romans 7:4)

Since the penalty for sin is death and we die to the Law through the body of Christ(Romans 7:4) we must also rise from the dead with Him(Ephesians 2:6).

When Jesus shed His blood on the cross which is Gods’ alter, God accepted His sacrifice. In verification of Gods' acceptance, He raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is the basis of our Faith
[b]1Corinth 15:14[/b] [color=990000]and if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.[/color]

God lets there be a proxy (replacement for you & I) to take the judgment, but the proxy must not be guilty like the one accused or he would be taking the judgment for himself and not for us. So then the only person who could be with out the judgment of sin must not be created So that is where the seed of the woman comes in. In the bible, the seed is always from the man, The Hebrew word for seed is zera` {zeh'-rah} it can mean, semen virile (sperm), offspring, descendants, posterity, or children. The man would plant his seed into the woman. God said in
[b]Genesis 3:15[/b] [color=990000]And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.[/color] Notice the term her seed. Mary was the mother of Jesus but Joseph, Mary's husband, wasn't the father of Jesus. Jesus was not from a seed of a man but conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is sinless; therefore He can take our place of judgment.

If it not had been for Jesus, we would have to satisfy the law because of our sin by our own blood.
Atonement is the complete leagal and retributive justice of God.

[b]Hebrews 10:29-31[/b] [color=990000]Of how much worse punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done insult unto the Spirit of grace?
[b]:30[/b] For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.[/color]
This vers is implying that if one does not recive the Atonement there remains a retribution of God's wrath for the sin of who ever is not taking Christ as his proxy or scapegoat.

N
Nile Sep 15, 2007

Hey Logic, good thread!

I think you've outlined the penal substitution view of the atonement nicely. As you may or may not know by now, I don't ascribe to this view. Hopefully this can be a good discussion of the issue. I know I could certainly learn more about the Atonement.

1: Reconciliation = To restore a broken relationsip.
2: Propitiation = A satisfaction, appeasement of wrath from a transgression of the law.
3: Forgiveness = To pardon an offense or an offender of the law.

The way 2 and 3 are defined here is one of the main reasons I don't believe penal substitution is correct. I have trouble understanding how about 2 and 3 can [i]both occur[/i]. That is, how can someone offer forgiveness yet still demand judgment at the same time? That is not true forgiveness, and is certainly not true pardon.

Let me give a simple example to explain...

...

Scenario A.
I catch a thief who has stolen $100 from me.
I demand that the thief pay me $100.

Scenario B.
I catch a thief who has stolen $100 from me.
I pardon the thief and do not demand that he pay me $100.

Scenario C.
I catch a thief who has stolen $100 from me.
I demand that someone pay me $100 (I don't care who).

In A, I demand judgment for the crime. I in no way extend pardon or forgiveness.

In B, I extend pardon and forgiveness. I in no way demand judgment.

In C, [b]I am still demanding judgment[/b]. I deserve to get my $100 back and that's what I want. [b]I have not extended pardon or forgiveness[/b]. If I had extended pardon, I would not be concerned with the exaction of the judgment, for I would have [b]set aside the offense[/b].

...

My point is, if we as humans can forgive others, truly forgive them, that is, [i]not require that judgment be executed[/i] (as in B) - why can't, indeed, why do we say that God doesn't do this?

Is God so incredibly angry with sinners, even repentant sinners, that He is unable to forgive them, that He is just so angry He has to take out His wrath on someone? It almost sounds like we're saying that God has angry issues and just needs to "vent His anger".

And don't be confused - I'm not saying in any way that the death of Christ wasn't necessary for forgiveness! Although if you don't understand why I think it was necessary you might be inclined to believe that.

Looking forward to your response!
(And now I need to do some homework!)
Nile

I
InTheLight Sep 15, 2007

Here is a good place to begin a study on atonement...

from Torrey's Topical Textbook

[b]Atonement, the[/b]

Explained
Romans 5:8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10

Foreordained
Romans 3:25; 1 Peter 1:11,20; Revelation 13:8

Foretold
Isaiah 53:4-6,8-12; Daniel 9:24-27; Zechariah 13:1,7; John 11:50,51

Effected by Christ alone
John 1:29,36; Acts 4:10,12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 2:24

Was voluntary
Psalms 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:5-9; John 10:11,15,17,18

EXHIBITS THE
Grace and mercy of God
Romans 8:32; Ephesians 2:4,5,7; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 2:9
Love of God
Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9,10
Love of Christ
John 15:13; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2,25; Revelation 1:5

Reconciles the justice and mercy of God
Isaiah 45:21; Romans 3:25,26

Necessity for
Isaiah 59:16; Luke 19:10; Hebrews 9:22

Made but once
Hebrews 7:27; 9:24-28; 10:10,12,14; 1 Peter 3:18

Acceptable to God
Ephesians 5:2

Reconciliation to God effected by
Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:13-16; Colossians 1:20-22; Hebrews 2:17; 1 Peter 3:18

Access to God by
Hebrews 10:19,20

Remission of sins by
John 1:29; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5

Justification by
Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Sanctification by
2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 5:26,27; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 10:10; 13:12

Redemption by
Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 5:9

HAS DELIVERED SAINTS FROM THE
Power of sin
Romans 8:3; 1 Peter 1:18,19
Power of the World
Galatians 1:4; 6:14
Power of the devil
Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14,15

Saints glorify God for
1 Corinthians 6:20; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:20,21

Saints rejoice in God for
Romans 5:11

Saints praise God for
Revelation 5:9-13

Faith in, indispensable
Romans 3:25; Galatians 3:13,14

Commemorated in the Lord�s supper
Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Ministers should fully set forth
Acts 5:29-31,42; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Typified
Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 22:2; Hebrews 11:17,19; Exodus 12:5,11,14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20; Leviticus 16:30,34; Hebrews 9:7,12,28; Le 17:11; Heb 9:22|

sermonindex Sep 15, 2007


I wasn't aware that 'Atonement' means 'to cover', although that is in line with the Old Covenant expectation of the Day of Atonement.

Our atonement through Christ, does much more than 'cover' our sins. (1 John 1:7)

There is an inner cleansing of the soul, the spirit and the mind, as well as healing of these in some measure although many of us need more.


Hi InTheLight,

I did a search on this page for any reference from Romans 6, and it is not in your post. I wondered if that is conscious on your part?

But, I have not checked out any of the texts you [i]have[/i] offered. Still Rom 6:6 is the only one which says 'knowing this, that [u]our old man[/u] was crucified with [i]Him,[/i] that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.'

This seems to be less about the wrath of God for sins, and more about God taking upon Himself to deal with man's bent towards sinning.

sermonindex Sep 15, 2007


Hi Nile,

I believe Romans 6:6 deals with an aspect of Christ's death which is controversial amongst those who believe that each man 'falls' individually, rather than that he arrives in this world already in a state of falleness due to Adam's sin of disobedience, (by which we are all already dead spiritually, going to die eternally, unless we turn to Christ).

This emphasis on the individual sins of individuals, as the cause rather than the SIGN of their falleness, means that the full meaning of Christ's death and what Paul wrote about it in Romans 6 and Gal 2:20, is not acknowledged by some Christians.

I believe differently.... that in Christ we are also put to death, (with our permission, of course!) so that in resurrection with Him through the Spirit, we are also freed from the sin [u]principle[/u] and its outworkings.

Have you ever heard this explanation before?

L
Logic Sep 15, 2007

Nile wrote:
Hey Logic, good thread! I think you've outlined the penal substitution view of the atonement nicely.

Thanx
Quote:

As you may or may not know by now, I don't ascribe to this view.

Can you deny any of the conclusions that I gave, give some rebuttals, I am interested to find any errors that I have made in my conclusions.

On the matter of forgiveness, I think we need to have some definitions set forth.
Forgiveness is not the deletion of a crime but a covering. The fact of our sin is still real.
For example:
David’s sin with Bathsheba. He murdered and committed adultery. God forgave him but the consequences of the sin are still in effect.
A man is still dead and a child was still born from David’s sin. The forgiveness of David’s sin is that God will not hold his sin against him and never bring it up again to remembrance. That is true forgiveness.
Another example is the if you stole $100.oo from me and I say that I forgive you but bring the fact of your theft up to you every time we meet, that would not be true forgiveness.
So with God, Because of the legal act of payment for the crime, God is justified in over looking our sin to never bring it up again.
Quote:

Nile wrote:
In C, I am still demanding judgment. I deserve to get my $100 back and that's what I want. I have not extended pardon or forgiveness. If I had extended pardon, I would not be concerned with the exaction of the judgment, for I would have set aside the offense.

God is 100% just & 100% loving, God love says forgive but God's justice says the law must be satisfied.

With the definition of forgiveness that I have set fourth makes possible for God to truly forgive us and still satisfy the law.
Quote:

Nile wrote:
Is God so incredibly angry with sinners, even repentant sinners, that He is unable to forgive them that He is just so angry He has to take out His wrath on someone? It almost sounds like we're saying that God has angry issues and just needs to "vent His anger".

In order to keep justice and not sweep sin under the carpet, there needs to be a punishment or payment for the crime.
Quote:

Nile wrote:
And don't be confused - I'm not saying in any way that the death of Christ wasn't necessary for forgiveness! Although if you don't understand why I think it was necessary you might be inclined to believe that.

Tell me, why do you think the death of Christ was necessary for forgiveness?
Quote:

(And now I need to do some homework!)

How old are you that you go to school?

sermonindex Sep 16, 2007

Nile wrote: Is God so incredibly angry with sinners, even repentant sinners, that He is unable to forgive them that He is just so angry He has to take out His wrath on someone? It almost sounds like we're saying that God has angry issues and just needs to "vent His anger".

Honestly brother, whenever I read many of your posts I think "This guy must have read my mind. I have thought and said the EXACT same thing!" What you just said, I said the identical thing in a discussion on the atonement 2 weeks ago.

I agree with you Nile. The blood atonement was a governmental requirement, not a personal requirement. No blood shed is needed on a person to person relationship when it comes to forgiving sin. A blood atonement is only needed on a government to criminal relationship.


Logic answered: In order to keep justice and not sweep sin under the carpet, there needs to be a punishment or payment for the crime.

The governmental atonement theory says that God requires blood shed in order to forgive sin, so that nobody believes that they can sin with impunity, and so the atonement is to uphold God's government.

But the governmental atonement says that the blood offering of Christ is substituted with our punishment. The death of Christ was not our punishment. We deserve eternal hell but Christ was crucified on a cross. But the atonement of Christ was substituted for our punishment, enabling God to be able to set aside our punishment (forgiveness by grace).

I
InTheLight Sep 16, 2007

I did a search on this page for any reference from Romans 6, and it is not in your post. I wondered if that is conscious on your part?

Sister, I just directly copied the Scripture references on The Atonement from Torrey's Topical Textbook.

In Christ,

Ron

N
Nile Sep 16, 2007

dorcas:

I believe differently.... that in Christ we are also put to death, (with our permission, of course!) so that in resurrection with Him through the Spirit, we are also freed from the sin principle and its outworkings.

Have you ever heard this explanation before?

hmm, not sure. You might have to explain a little more fully.

Jesse:

Honestly brother, whenever I read many of your posts I think "This guy must have read my mind. I have thought and said the EXACT same thing!" What you just said, I said the identical thing in a discussion on the atonement 2 weeks ago.

^_^


Logic:

I just wanted to mention this real quick:

there can be no justification in a legal sense

Then is what sense is there justification? Follow the logical path of this question...and you arrive at Moral Government Theology.

Can you deny any of the conclusions that I gave, give some rebuttals, I am interested to find any errors that I have made in my conclusions.

I believe that you have many of the right conclusions!
In fact, I would go so far as to say that you probably believe in a Governmental Atonement without realizing it - you just believe that there are other aspects of the atonement as well.
I do not believe that these "other aspects" are necessary or Biblical, but that a Governmental Atonement alone is the sum of everything necessary, the satisfaction of everything required, and the complete fulfillment of every Biblical description of the Atonement.

A man is still dead and a child was still born from David’s sin. The forgiveness of David’s sin is that God will not hold his sin against him and never bring it up again to remembrance. That is true forgiveness.

A good argument brother! Consider though, that God's forgiveness of David saved him from the legal penalty...Hell. The death of his child was a reminder of his sin and a chastisement, but was in no ways "justly required" by his crime. Do you see what I mean?
David prayed that God would not let the child die. If the child's death was "justly required" of David's crime, then would David have been asking that God do something unjust? Do you see how, therefore, the child's death is not pertaining to a satisfaction of the law?

God is 100% just & 100% loving,

I agree.

God love says forgive but God's justice says the law must be satisfied.

I disagree in how you mean it. See below.

In order to keep justice and not sweep sin under the carpet, there needs to be a punishment or payment for the crime.

I believe it is possible to set aside the law and forgive without requiring any payment.
Go back to my previous example.
Am I being unjust in scenario A, by not requiring payment?
Is it wrong of me to "forgive" the man like this?
Are you saying that for every wrong done to us, we should demand payment of some sort be exacted?
Does this mean that in our courts, there should never be any pardons or mercies given ever?
I would very much like to know how you answer these questions, as I think it's critical to this discussion.

Tell me, why do you think the death of Christ was necessary for forgiveness?

Awesome :-)

First, let me point out that God cannot forgive in the way I described above for this reason: forgiveness as such would be detrimental to His kingdom. While accomplishing pardon (1 below), it accomplishes nothing of punishment (2 below).
Let me be clear: it is not because God is just "so angry" with repentant sinners that He demands bloodshed. No, it is because a just, good, peaceable, and [u]Moral Government[/u] demands it.

[b]Christ's death was necessary to accomplish two things simultaneously, which otherwise cannot be accomplished simultaneously:

1. The accomplishments of pardon. Of having mercy and letting a sinner go free.
2. The accomplishments of punishment. Of which are these:
a. Punishment stops/hinders the sinner from sinning more.
b. Punishment deters others from sinning.
c. Punishment declares and establishes God's sovereign rule and ability to maintain His Law.

With Christ's death, all of these things are accomplished!! AMEN!!!!![/b]

Aside from why it was justly necessary, Christ's death does so much more!!!

Christ's death puts to death the old man and allows us to be partakers of the divine nature!

Christ's death declares God love for all the universe to see!

Christ's death [b]actually lessens[/b] the total suffering in the world! Do you know what I mean by this??? Instead of billions suffering in hell for all of eternity, One Man died on a tree in a matter of hours!!! What a glorious trade!!! What a blessed exchange! Praise God!!!

You see, [b]God was not required by the law to dish out so much punishment in order to be counted just.[/b] No, God merely needed to satisfy the requirements of justice. He did so with the death of Jesus - without dishing out any supposed "wrath" at all! Jesus suffered, oh yes...but His suffering was not equal to the suffering of billions in Hell for eternity...[i]it did not have to be equal to satisfy justice[/i].

:-)

Looking forward to your responses.

How old are you that you go to school?

19 :-P

One last thing, I highly suggest reading "The Atonement" by Albert Barnes. It's online for free, just do a search. I'll post some excerpts from it sometime.

Thanks for the good discussion Logic!
Nile

sermonindex Sep 16, 2007


Nile said

hmm, not sure. You might have to explain a little more fully.
After I left this post for you, I realise I'm not qualified to explain it much more fully or formally, but I notice that Christian (hmmhmm) has posted the links to two talks which cover this, by someone who [i]is[/i] qualified to explain it thoroughly.


[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=19602&forum=34&0]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=19602&forum=34&0[/url]


You will be able to answser with your comments in that thread, if you feel this one is inappropriate for a more detailed discussion.

L
Logic Sep 17, 2007

Nile wrote:
there can be no justification in a legal sense

Then is what sense is there justification?
By perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law.
Maybe I don't get your question, I answered this in my first post.

Nile wrote:
I believe that you have many of the right conclusions!
In fact, I would go so far as to say that you probably believe in a Governmental Atonement without realizing it - you just believe that there are other aspects of the atonement as well.
I do not believe that these "other aspects" are necessary or Biblical, but that a Governmental Atonement alone is the sum of everything necessary, the satisfaction of everything required, and the complete fulfillment of every Biblical description of the Atonement.
I don't know what a "Governmental Atonement" is.

What specific "other aspects" are not necessary?

Nile wrote:
A good argument brother! Consider though, that God's forgiveness of David saved him from the legal penalty...Hell.
How did God forgive David with out letting the law go unsatisfied?

Nile wrote:
The death of his child was a reminder of his sin and a chastisement, but was in no ways "justly required" by his crime. Do you see what I mean?David prayed that God would not let the child die. If the child's death was "justly required" of David's crime, then would David have been asking that God do something unjust? Do you see how, therefore, the child's death is not pertaining to a satisfaction of the law?
I agree tha the death of davids child was not "justly required", because the child did not do the crime. It is the soul that sins that shall die(Eze 18:20)

Nile wrote:
I believe it is possible to set aside the law and forgive without requiring any payment.
If you believe this, you do not understand justice, let alone "divine justice"

Nile wrote:
Go back to my previous example.
Am I being unjust in scenario A, by not requiring payment?
Is it wrong of me to "forgive" the man like this?
We christians can only foregive because Jesus forgave us, that is the only basis that we can forgive others.
[b]Mat 18:35[/b] [color=990000]So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.[/color]

Nile wrote:
Are you saying that for every wrong done to us, we should demand payment of some sort be exacted
No, we forgive knowing that those who do not repent for the sins and/or debts against us will have their just dessert in the end, that is how we are able to forgive.
[b]Rom 12:19[/b] [color=990000]Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.[/color]

Nile wrote:
Does this mean that in our courts, there should never be any pardons or mercies given ever?
The only way that there should be any pardons is because the law gives that authority to those who can pardon.
The law says that the president can pardon:
Constitutional Authority for Presidential Pardons
The presidential power to pardon is granted under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.

"The President ... shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment."

Pardons are not just given away at whim by just any judiciary; not just any judge can say at the bench, "I forgive you" or "the court forgives you"
The judge himself needs to have othority from the law to forgive.

Nile wrote:
I would very much like to know how you answer these questions, as I think it's critical to this discussion.
I hope these are suficiant.
Forgiveness is always costly. there is always a price with forgiveness.
The King in Mat 18:22-34 who forgave his servant was paying the debt himself by the lose of the monies owed to him.
Just as it is with our sin, GOD the Father is paying the debt himself by the price of His Son.

Nile wrote:
but His suffering was not equal to the suffering of billions in Hell for eternity...it did not have to be equal to satisfy justice.
I agree, some might figure that Christ would need to have suffered in the amount to which was due for each and every person to satisfy justice.

This is to suppose that Jesus needed to suffer an eternal punishment multiplied in intensity, and duration, by the whole number of the the human race.
However, the penalty of sin is spiritual death, [b]not[/b] "to suffer an eternal punishment".

The only reason That the damned suffer an eternal punishment is because they die physicaly without Eternal Life.
To explain further:
If Eternal Life after physical death is in the presence with God, then to die physicaly without Eternal Life is eternal punishment outside the presence of God.

If one does not stay in the presence of Christ, there is no other place to be, but in outer darkness where there is gnashing of teeth.

N
Nile Sep 17, 2007

By perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law.
Maybe I don't get your question, I answered this in my first post.

My point is, this is the [u]only[/u] type justification that the law recognizes. Any other type of justification is not recognized by the law.
Since the only justification that the law is capable of has been made impossible, another method of justification must be sought.
We agree so far, I'm sure.

Here is where I'm going with this:
[b]Penal Substitution claims that ultimately, justification comes from the law.[/b]

I do not believe this is correct. Our justification comes by the grace of God, [u]not[/u] by the law.
I will explain more, but I want to see if you grasp what I'm saying first.

What specific "other aspects" are not necessary?

Boiled down, these are the "other aspects":

1. Jesus paid the debt we owed. That is, Jesus suffered the wrath of God intended for us.
-I see this no where in the Bible.

2. Jesus suffered for us by suffering [/i]*as* us[/i].
-Again, I see this no where in the Bible. I would stop, as the Bible does, at Jesus suffered simply *for* us.

If you believe this, you do not understand justice, let alone "divine justice"

Or perhaps you do not understand forgiveness. :-)
I was mightily liberated and overjoyed when I first understood [i]true[/i] forgiveness.

No, we forgive knowing that those who do not repent for the sins and/or debts against us will have their just dessert in the end, that is how we are able to forgive.

This is the view I held for a long time...I now believe it is wrong.

Is that the only way you can bring yourself to forgive someone, if you remind yourself that they'll be punished if they don't repent? I don't believe it for an instant. I know without a doubt that you, I, and everyone is able to genuinely forgive an offense against us [u]and not have concern for retribution[/u]. That is not to say that retribution will not be dealt or that retribution is not good. I am saying that forgiveness need not be based on that - it should be based on love.

The only way that there should be any pardons is because the law gives that authority to those who can pardon.

What would you say of God? Can He pardon, as in our court systems? Can He forgive someone and not require that any punishment be made?
If no, Why not?
What obstacles stand in the way?

Here is a very pointed that question that I think strikes the heart of the issue.

[b]What is accomplished by punishing a sinner for his sin?[/b]

If it can be shown that Christ's death accomplishes everything that would be accomplished if the sinner was punished as he deserved, then Christ death is a sufficient reason to extend pardon to the sinner (the sinner of God's choice - that is, the repentant one), for nothing more can be accomplished by punishing the sinner.

I hope these are suficiant.

Yep, thanks. I feel like we're actually discussing things as opposed to going around in circles :-)

I agree, some might figure that Christ would need to have suffered in the amount to which was due for each and every person to satisfy justice.

This is to suppose that Jesus needed to suffer an eternal punishment multiplied in intensity, and duration, by the whole number of the the human race.
However, the penalty of sin is spiritual death, not "to suffer an eternal punishment".


Aha, a good point. However, what do you mean by "spiritual death"?
Are you suggesting that Christ died such a spiritual death?

Nile

L
Logic Sep 17, 2007

Nile wrote:
By perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law.
Maybe I don't get your question, I answered this in my first post.
My point is, this is the [u]only[/u] type justification that the law recognizes. Any other type of justification is not recognized by the law.
Since the only justification that the law is capable of has been made impossible, another method of justification must be sought.
We agree so far, I'm sure.

Here is where I'm going with this:
[b]Penal Substitution claims that ultimately, justification comes from the law.[/b]

I do not believe this is correct. Our justification comes by the grace of God, [u]not[/u] by the law.
I will explain more, but I want to see if you grasp what I'm saying first.


I agree to this but we must know what the grace of God is.
Grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, kindness of God.
Grace:
Strongs Greek #5485 χάρις - charis is another word for gift.

Now we must know how a fallen man can find grace with a Holy and Just God.
God must punish sin, He can not have a relaitionship with a sinner.
How, then, can God show favore to an object of His wrath who spit in His face, who broke relaition with Him?
God didn't break our relaition with Him, we did by sinning.
There must be a way to make the relationship posible between God & man, that is the Atonement.

Nile wrote:
What specific "other aspects" are not necessary?
Boiled down, these are the "other aspects":

1. Jesus paid the debt we owed. That is, Jesus suffered the wrath of God intended for us.
-I see this no where in the Bible.

2. Jesus suffered for us by suffering [/i]*as* us[/i].
-Again, I see this no where in the Bible. I would stop, as the Bible does, at Jesus suffered simply *for* us.


[b]1.[/b] As for debt:
[b]Mat 20:28[/b] [color=990000]Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to [b]give his life a ransom for many.[/b][/color]
A ransom is the price paid of that wich is demanded.
If Jesus did not need to pay the debt we owed, then what is this vers about?
[b]2.[/b] this might just be a matter of symantics, but I will give this to you.

Nile wrote:
If you believe this, you do not understand justice, let alone "divine justice"
Or perhaps you do not understand forgiveness.
I was mightily liberated and overjoyed when I first understood true forgiveness.
I think I descirbed my view of forgiveness quite well, could you disagreee on any of it?

Please explain "true forgiveness" if it is not as I have.

Nile wrote:
This is the view I held for a long time...I now believe it is wrong.
This is the view I held for a long time...I now believe it is wrong.

Is that the only way you can bring yourself to forgive someone, if you remind yourself that they'll be punished if they don't repent? I don't believe it for an instant. I know without a doubt that you, I, and everyone is able to genuinely forgive an offense against us and not have concern for retribution. That is not to say that retribution will not be dealt or that retribution is not good. I am saying that forgiveness need not be based on that - it should be based on love.

Yes, Love, How do we love anybody without knowing that Christ was first loving us?
Likewise, with forgiveness, How doe we Forgive without knoing that Christ, first forgave us.

Mankind is created with a sence of justice. We know that crimes can not be swept under the carpet through love with no saticfaction of the law that God created in us.
A man murders your wife:
How can you [b]love[/b] him without reminding yourself that you were first forviven and that you could have done the same accept for the grace of God?

How can you [b]forgive[/b] him without reminding yourself the will be punished if he don't repent in the end?

Nile wrote:
The only way that there should be any pardons is because the law gives that authority to those who can pardon, as in our court systems?
What would you say of God? Can He pardon,
Only on the bases of His divine law, just as our law gives authority to those who can pardon.

Nile wrote:
He forgive someone and not require that any punishment be made?
If no, Why not?
What obstacles stand in the way?
No.
Because He is %100 just & %100 loving.
If God forgave and not require that any punishment be made, He would not be just; that would devalue HIS Righteousness and Holyness.

Say that the court forgave that man who murdered your wife and now he is back on the streets.
You, the victim, have been devalued as a citizen and in many more ways.

Nile wrote:
What is accomplished by punishing a sinner for his sin?

If it can be shown that Christ's death accomplishes everything that would be accomplished if the sinner was punished as he deserved, then Christ death is a sufficient reason to extend pardon to the sinner (the sinner of God's choice - that is, the repentant one), for nothing more can be accomplished by punishing the sinner.

Yep.

Nile wrote:
Aha, a good point. However, what do you mean by "spiritual death"?
Are you suggesting that Christ died such a spiritual death?
Death in the Bible is always pictured as a separation between two things.
Physical death, spirit for body - [b]Eccl 12:7[/b] [color=990000]then shall [b]the dust return to the earth[/b] as it was: and [b]the spirit shall return unto God[/b] who gave it.[/color]
[b]James 2:26[/b] [color=990000]as [b]the body without the spirit is dead[/b], so faith without works is dead also.[/color]
Spiritual death, God from man - [b]Isa 59:1-2[/b] [color=990000]But [b]your iniquities have separated you between and your God[/b], and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.[/color]

Jesus died physically & spiritually on the cross.
Jesus died spiritually when He cried, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, [b]My God[/b], my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
He was separated from God which is spiritual death.
However, He dain Spiritual life again when HE said, " [b]Father[/b], into your hands I commend my spirit(Luke 23:46)
Jesus died physically when He cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. Mat 27:50, Luk 23:46, John 19:30.

E
Eli_Barnabas Sep 18, 2007

Here is an interesting thought to ponder...

Both forgiveness and justice can happen without the nullifaction of one or the other. Consider, a criminal is put in jail for murder, but the family of the victim forgives him. This does not mean he now doesn't have to go to jail... he goes to jail and justice is served, but at the same time he is forgiven. So both aren't mutually exclusive.

I say this because there are some who say if God forgives us that means there is therefore no justice served, for, they reason, that if justice is served how can that be forgiveness? I say that it can be both and it doesn't have to be one or the other.

Jesus Christ has received the punishment that our sins owed; [i]"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."[/i] (Isaiah 53:5-6) This fact does not nullify the free grace of God in forgiving us of our sins. It was a necessity of the law and the curse which required blood, and the law has now been satisfied, and God can now forgive us. It is both.

Just something to consider in this discussion.

L
Logic Sep 18, 2007

Eli_Barnabas wrote:
Here is an interesting thought to ponder...

Both forgiveness and justice can happen without the nullifaction of one or the other. Consider, a criminal is put in jail for murder, but the family of the victim forgives him. This does not mean he now doesn't have to go to jail... he goes to jail and justice is served, but at the same time he is forgiven. So both aren't mutually exclusive.

Consider, a criminal is put in jail for murder, but the family of the victim forgives him.
However, they will not let the courts let him loose to ravage the city and muder more people.

There are difernt ways to forgive, the family of the victim forgave him personaly but not judicialy.
We can not forgive judicialy but we may forgive personaly without payment, in any way, of the crime; The courts van not forgive personaly, but can only forgive judicialy according to the law.

God is both a peronal God and Law giver/Judge, God forgives personaly but judicialy, He demands the requirements of the law to be saticfied.

E
Eli_Barnabas Sep 18, 2007

Yes, that is what I am saying.

N
Nile Sep 18, 2007

Our posts are getting quite long, aren't they? :-P
This will probably take more than one post to cover.

Now we must know how a fallen man can find grace with a Holy and Just God.
God must punish sin, He can not have a relaitionship with a sinner.
How, then, can God show favore to an object of His wrath who spit in His face, who broke relaition with Him?
God didn't break our relaition with Him, we did by sinning.There must be a way to make the relationship posible between God & man, that is the Atonement.

I agree! We differ merely on [b]why[/b] this necessary and [b]how[/b] it is accomplished.

1. As for debt:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
A ransom is the price paid of that wich is demanded.
If Jesus did not need to pay the debt we owed, then what is this vers about?

He ransomed us, yes. He paid what was needed to be paid, yes. The catch is, what He paid [i]was not our debt[/i]. There is no reason why it needs to be, and in fact there is no way it could be! The only person who can pay my debt is me, for the law explicitly says that the soul who sins must die. Not someone must die. The soul who sins must die. There is nothing given in the Law to allow someone to die for someone else. Not that I know of.

2. this might just be a matter of symantics, but I will give this to you.

I don't think it's semantics. Consider what implications I draw from this statement that are contrary to popular teaching:
If Christ doesn't suffer [i]as[/i] us, then we do not stand before God [i]as[/i] Christ. If our sin did not cause God to see us on the cross when Christ died, then Christ's righteousness does not cause God to see Christ when He looks at us. More on this later depending on how you see it.

Please explain "true forgiveness" if it is not as I have.

After thinking about it, when I said "true forgiveness" I was actually meaning mercy (which includes forgiveness). I think the examples you gave fall apart if you substitute "mercy" for forgiveness.

Yes, Love, How do we love anybody without knowing that Christ was first loving us?
Likewise, with forgiveness, How doe we Forgive without knoing that Christ, first forgave us.

I concede here. "We love for Christ first loved us."

How can you forgive him without reminding yourself the will be punished if he don't repent in the end?

Here is an important point that I've been assuming but haven't stated:
Forgiveness and mercy should [b]only[/b] be extended given the following:
The offender is genuinely repentant.
It is deemed wise by all to extend mercy.
Justice is not sacrificed by extending mercy.

If those three are satisified, then I could forgive the man and not demand his punishment.
So your question is somewhat amiss: we should not forgive unless the person has actually repented. This does not mean to hold a grudge or to be angry. But Jesus says, "If your brother repents, forgive him." Also, I never see God forgiving someone before they repent.

No.
Because He is %100 just & %100 loving.
If God forgave and not require that any punishment be made, He would not be just; that would devalue HIS Righteousness and Holyness.

But WHY! Dig down deep and ask: WHY would it devalue His Righteousness and Holiness?
(I agree with you, it does! But to understand why is a critical thing to understanding the Atonement.)

Say that the court forgave that man who murdered your wife and now he is back on the streets.
You, the victim, have been devalued as a citizen and in many more ways.

You're starting to see it Logic! You're getting at the reasons [b]why[/b] punishment is necessary.
[b]1. The criminal is back on the streets with no guarantee that he will not do more harm.
2. The crime has not been shown to be heinous.
3. Others are not discouraged for committing the same crime.[/b]

Now here is what I say: [i]All these things have been accomplished with Christ's death, thus allowing God to extend mercy and forgiveness all who will repent.[/i]

All of these are accomplished with Christ's atoning sacrifice:

[b]1. The only ones God will let into His Kingdom are those who have repented and proved here on Earth that they will not be a menace to others in Heaven. That they will not be a menace is sure, because their hearts have been captured by God's love, as demonstrated in the cross.
2. Oh the evilness of sin! That only the death of God Incarnate could remove the stain! How much a greater testament of the evilness of sin than the death of billions of worthless sinners! No one in this age or any age to come should ever have any reason to doubt God's hatred of sin, as demonstrated in the cross.
3. The death of an innocent man does far more to motivate men than the death of innumerable wicked men. This is an undeniable fact proven throughout history. How much more does a martyr inspire passion and devotion than a filthy criminal punished for his crime?[/b]

Are there any more things that need to be satisfied before a sinner can be justly pardoned? (I might have forgotten something, so this is an honest and rhetorical question.)

Jesus died physically & spiritually on the cross.
Jesus died spiritually when He cried, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
He was separated from God which is spiritual death.

What makes you say Jesus was separated from God?
I will post more later on what death I think Christ died.

Joyfully praising God,
Nile

N
Nile Sep 18, 2007

What makes you say Jesus was separated from God?
I will post more later on what death I think Christ died.

Jesus died a death that He was in no ways deserving of.
He was despised, shamed, and mocked.
He was killed in a most painful death, the same death dealt to murderers and thieves.
Indeed, He was put death between two sinners.
Nothing was said of His righteousness.

He was indeed forsaken by God.

...

Now what is this about Him being separated from God? Jesus was in perfect communion with God even while hanging on the cross.

More later,
Nile

L
Logic Sep 18, 2007

Nile wrote:
1. As for debt:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
A ransom is the price paid of that wich is demanded.
If Jesus did not need to pay the debt we owed, then what is this vers about?

He ransomed us, yes. He paid what was needed to be paid, yes. The catch is, what He paid [i]was not our debt[/i].
What debt or whoes, then?


Nile wrote:
There is no reason why it needs to be, and in fact there is no way it could be! The only person who can pay my debt is me, for the law explicitly says that the soul who sins must die. Not someone must die. The soul who sins must die. There is nothing given in the Law to allow someone to die for someone else. Not that I know of.
Yes, you were already paying the debt by dieing spiritualy before your salvation, you were separated from the life of God.
However, the problem is, how to regain that relaishonship to be unseparated from God.
How do we become spiritualy alive again?
We need spiritual reserection.
The debt of our sin needs paid for us to live spiritualy again.

Nile wrote:
I don't think it's semantics. Consider what implications I draw from this statement that are contrary to popular teaching:
Okay, HE died for us :-). He paid the debt of our transgressions, trespasses, iniquities for us.
Nile wrote:
1. The only ones God will let into His Kingdom are those who have repented and proved here on Earth that they will not be a menace to others in Heaven. That they will not be a menace is sure, because their hearts have been captured by God's love, as demonstrated in the cross.
In other words, The only ones God will let into His Kingdom are those who have proved faithful.
Nile wrote:
3. The death of an innocent man does far more to motivate men than the death of innumerable wicked men. This is an undeniable fact proven throughout history. How much more does a martyr inspire passion and devotion than a filthy criminal punished for his crime?
Jesus' death was more that a "motivation" and an "inspiration"
Nile wrote:
Are there any more things that need to be satisfied before a sinner can be justly pardoned?
I think that you are implying that only a physical death by a completly inocent man was needed for God to have mecy to forgive.

The fact is, that a physical [b]and spiritual[/b] death by a completly inocent [b]eternal[/b] man was needed to pay for all mankind.

A completly inocent, created, finite man can only pay for one man and one of that man's many sins, furthuremore, that would leave the inocent, created, finite man who payed the debt, dead with no reserection.

Furthermore, if Jesus death was a ransom that was paid, then whoes debt was paid, if it wasn't ours?
Yes, we were paying the debt of spiritual death before salvation, however, that debt is infinite. We can never be dead spiritualy long enough to be completly paid off.

What makes you say Jesus was separated from God?
Notice what Jesus said, ""Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, [b]My God, my God[/b], why hast [b]thou forsaken me[/b]?"
Sinners and those who are already separated from His Father call Him God. Jesus never called His Father God accept for this time because He was [b]counted with the transgressors[/b](Isa 53:12)
Isa 53:11 says he shall [b]bear their iniquities...[/b]

Therefore, [b]Isa 59:1-2[/b] [color=990000]But your iniquities have separated you between and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear[/color]
In other words, your I forsake you because of your iniquities.
What is God hiding His face from us mean?

Furhtermore, how would Jesus not experiance spiritual death if the wages of sin is spiritual death?

L
Logic Sep 18, 2007

Nile wrote:
What makes you say Jesus was separated from God?
I will post more later on what death I think Christ died.
Jesus died a death that He was in no ways deserving of.
He was despised, shamed, and mocked.
He was killed in a most painful death, the same death dealt to murderers and thieves.
Indeed, He was put death between two sinners.
Nothing was said of His righteousness.
He was indeed forsaken by God.
...
Now what is this about Him being separated from God? Jesus was in perfect communion with God even while hanging on the cross.
I am greatly enjoying this conversation with you. I am impressed with you, a 19 yaer old and your knowledg.

I don't think physical death is the penalty for sin.
The reason for my statment is that animals and plants die, but they do not sin.
Furthermore, christians still die physicaly.
If physical death was the penalty for sin, then forgiven christians still pay the penalty of that which they were forgiven of, not to mention the plants and animals paying a price for what they never commit.

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