Good Friday – what’s it mean?

Today’s the day when we remember that momentous event, when Jesus Christ died on a cross to take the sins of the world. I’ve seen some debates on places like Ship of Fools, and in the wake of Steve Chalke’s controversial comments, about what did Jesus’ death (and resurrection) do exactly? Some people, such as Mr Chalke, take issue with the idea of “penal substitutionary atonement” (PSA), which is basically the idea that Jesus died to take the punishment (hence “penal”), in our place (hence “substitutionary”) to reconcile, or make us at one with, God (hence “atonement”). Its critics say that explaining the cross in this way makes God into some kind of angry monster, a cosmic child-abuser taking out his anger on his son. I think one of the issues here is that people aren’t appreciating the unity of the trinity. Jesus is God, and it is a willing self-sacrifice on his part – a beautiful act of love that is both entirely just and entirely merciful on his part.

I agree that it can be unhelpful to seek to understand the wonder of what Christ accomplished only through one description of it, such as PSA. One of the “alternatives” is the Christus Victor view which says that when Jesus died on the cross he defeated death, sin, and evil. I can agree with that, and I don’t see why people set it up as in some way opposed to PSA. It seems to me that Jesus defeated death, sin and evil by taking the punishment for us to reconcile us to God. The defeat of death and evil is intimately linked with the punishment and forgiving of our sins, because death is the result of sin. I won’t get in to proof texting now – a quick Google for will furnish you with the various arguments on the subject.

Anyway, however the mechanics of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross work, I thank and praise him for that wonderful demonstration of his great love. It’s such a mind-boggling act, the Lord of the universe choosing to undergo a humiliating and painful death out of love for this sad and sorry world. Of course, the best is still to come on Sunday, when we remember his victory over death by coming back to life. More on that later…

Oh, and hello to my Uncle Colin and family – thanks for the comment, and have a great Easter!