The Divine Substitute: The Atonement in the Bible and History

by Ian J. Shaw; Brian H. Edwards

Publisher:

Day One

, 2006

Overview

Why did Christ have to die such a terrible death on the cross? Was there no other way? Why was there need for a divine substitute? This book explores the very heart of the Christian Gospel—that Christ died in the place of sinners, bearing their sin and guilt and the just and holy punishment that they deserved from God. The doctrine of the atonement has become the subject of intense debate, and this book shows that the understanding of the death of Christ as a work of penal substitution is the principal way—though not the only way—in which the Bible views the death of Christ, and that this has been taught at every period in the history of the church.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In summary, sin is falling short of God’s perfect standards; God is holy, and therefore the rebellion of sin is an offence in his sight. God is also absolutely just, and he must punish sin. There are fearful consequences for those who die with their sin unforgiven.” (Page 12)

“Throughout the Old Testament God underlined the gravity of sin and his relentless opposition to it” (Page 15)

“Why is atonement needed, and what is the nature of the God who planned it?” (Page 9)

“he atonement: that of Christ’s death as a divine substitute for sinners.” (Page 5)

“No Greek would ever have thought of keeping a spiritual diary’¹⁴. Nor, we may add, was there anything in the writing of pagan devotees of the gods comparable to the deep expressions of love and loyalty that we find in the psalms of David, and certainly nothing that approaches the warm love and commitment to Christ reflected in the New Testament in such expressions as: ‘Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy’ (1 Peter 1:8) and Paul’s longing ‘That I may know him …’ (Philippians 3:10 AV).” (Page 35)

Praise for the Print Edition

A timely reminder…that the theme of penal substitution has always been at the very heart of biblical Christianity.

—John Brand, U.K. Director, Africa Inland Mission International

Product Details

• Title: The Divine Substitute: The Atonement in the Bible and History
• Authors: Brian Edwards and Ian Shaw
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 160

About the Authors

Brian Edwards was pastor of Hook Evangelical Church, Surbiton, for twenty-nine years, before becoming president of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. He is an international speaker and a member of the Tyndale Society. He has a ministry of writing, lecturing and preaching, and is the author of over eleven books. Brian lives in Surrey and has two sons and three granddaughters.

Ian Shaw has been lecturer at the International Christian College in Glasgow since 1996. He has a Ph.D. in church history from the University of Manchester.