What Happened on the Cross: Forgiveness Not Punishment

by Cyril Guérette; Nick Peros

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2020

Overview

What Happened on the Cross offers a new and biblical understanding of how salvation was accomplished upon the cross, showing that the Penal Substitution view, common since the 1500s, does not have a biblical basis, and also showing that the Christus Victor understanding is inadequate. The book is founded upon the understanding that Jesus Christ is the Second Adam, and that is the foundation of how we are to understand how salvation was accomplished. Both the shedding of blood and death were essential in the accomplishment of salvation, and What Happened on the Cross shows why these were essential. Using over 740 Scripture verses to make its argument, the book gives a comprehensive picture from Genesis to Revelation of the many aspects involved in the accomplishment of salvation--above all showing clearly that the cross had nothing to do with "punishment for sins"--our sins were never punished upon the cross, rather, our sins were forgiven. Understanding how salvation was accomplished upon the cross, and that it was about forgiveness, not punishment, both exalts God and his greatness, demonstrates his perfect love and justice, as well as liberates our hearts towards him.

Praise for What Happened on the Cross

“One of the most intriguing aspects of this work is that it does truly offer a new and refreshing paradigm for seeing salvation, which is a significant accomplishment in its own right. Whatever theory of atonement you may hold to currently, you can expect to be genuinely challenged by Peros’ presentation as he grapples with an enormous amount of Scripture from both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.”

—Cyril Guérette, Tyndale University



“Within these pages profound truths about God’s unsurpassable love for us are discovered. Could it really be that Jesus did not need to die for God to forgive our sins but he did need to die in order for us to receive forgiveness? I highly recommend reading this book to challenge your views on many topics and to lift the veil a little more to uncover the beauty and majesty of a God who is love, and to see more completely how far Father, Son, and Spirit, in complete unity, are willing to go to redeem their creation.”

—Steve Read

Product Details

• Title: What Happened on the Cross: Forgiveness Not Punishment
• Authors: Cyril Guérette, Nick Peros
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 332
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781725263642, 9781725263635, 1725263637, 9781725263697, 1725263696, 1725263645
• Resource ID: LLS:9781725263642
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T17:42:43Z

About the Authors

Nick Peros is an author and poet. He is the author of The Inextinguishable Light (2020), a collection of 150 contemporary sonnets. He was the cofounder/copublisher of the Christian arts magazine BrightRedLife. For more information on Nick Peros, visit www.nickperoswritings.com