In this bumper episode, Jamie and Clinton round out this series with a thorough discussion of two significant theories of the atonement. The Abelardian view of the atonement sees the cross as an act of God's love which seeks to bring about shame for sin, repentance and reconciliation with God, whilst penal substitutionary atonement says that the death of Christ constitutes a propitiation of the wrath of God through the transference of our penalty on to Christ on the cross. We debate the merits and potential drawbacks of both of these positions.
We close with some final reflections on the way that we see the death of Christ by arguing that it must not be reduced to one specific theory but can be conceived of as a confluence of atonement for sin, exemplary obedience to God and victory over the cosmic powers of death and hell.
For the essay by Fr Robert Crouse 'Atonement and Sacrifice' please see here: http://www.stpeter.org/crouse/writings/atonement_and_sacrifice.htm
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