Theories of Punishment and the Substitutionary Atonement
Ken Pulliam broaches this subject by asking,
Why do we punish wrongdoers? What is the purpose of the punishment? It is crucial to understand the theories of punishment in order to properly understand the rationale behind the Penal Substitutionary Theory (PST) of the atonement. Link
3 comments:
Personally, I think an application of 1(c) is better than 1(a), but all of these are imperfect due to the fact that the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is the giving of His Life to buy us back from the consequences of OUR retributive 1(a) and 1(c).
There are several facets of the Atonement to look at. Self-Sacrificing Love and payment for sin are two of them. A meaningful death unto God the Father is another aspect of the propitiation.
Ken Pulliam seems to ask the question but he doesn't provide the answer. Serving (Christ as Rightful King first serving all those whom would be in His kingdom) is another aspect of the Atonment which is mult-faceted.
If Pulliam is looking for one answer like 1(a) then he is completely missing the beauty of how Jesus is serving.
These last several blogs have been great, John. All of these are important to address.
I take you're already familiar with this one..
I don't see that 1(c) is applicable. That particular remedy would presume injury, harm or loss on the part of a victim to whom the restitution is to be made. Who exactly is the victim in this case? God? What is the injury, harm or loss? And how is a human sacrifice or any other sacrifice going to relieve or compensate for that presumed injury, harm or loss?
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