Featured The Meanings of 'For'

All theories have a common element of Scripture (all theories within orthodox Christianity, that is). All believe that while were sinners Christ died for us, that He bore our sins, that He lay down His life as an atonement. Typically what differs is what people add to Scripture (Scripture itself being objective truth). The larger issue is when people cannot identify the things they carry into God's Word to from theory.

 

I am not "slamming" PSA, but I am pointing out that what separates these theories (to include PSA) is not Scripture but what each brings into Scripture. I am, perhaps, "slamming" those who cannot see the human element (what is brought in, what makes it "theory") within PSA itself but instead believe it is the same as Scripture as this shows a lack of discernment. I wouldn't use the word "slamming", but I am identifying the error.

 

No one has been able to provide a passage proving this. They believe it "implied" (not "it is written" but it fits their understanding).

 

No. I am not having difficulty at all with the concept. I held your view for over three decades. I taught and preached your view. I know it very well.

You and I seem to have the exact same difficulty - that of reconciling the contextual framework your theory presupposes with Scripture.

 

God opened by eyes to a truth that I cannot now un-see. So yes, at one time I held close to the assumptions you are making now. But just like you I found it impossible to prove via Scripture. The difference is what we do with that truth.

 

Christ has indeed ransomed us from the law of sin and death and made us alive to the law of God. While this has nothing to do with the theory God poured out His wrath on Christ, I think we can at least agree Christ died for us.

 

I disagree with the idea that we can pit God's righteousness against His holiness in such a manner. What you are doing is elevating the idea of a righteousness through the Law above God's own nature. Christ had to become flesh and die so that through death He would defeat the power of evil and free us from the slavery of sin and death. The reason He came, after all, was to destroy the works of the devil. The Cross was not something to be avoided, but rather God's predetermined plan. It was God's will that Christ die at the hands of men.

I understand PSA, and reject its base assumption. Based on your arguments, it does not seem that you fully understand the arguments against your view.

 

Then move closer to Scripture.

 

Then why are you so puzzled that you complain my view look too much like Scripture?

I will when we get there.

 

It just dawned on me...you are talking about post # 35.

You asked how God ransomed us from the law of sin and death and made us alive to the law of God.

See, brother, that you are not taken captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men. God delivered us by forgiving our transgressions, having canceled out the debt of the law which was against us, having taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

Is this so foreign to you? God gives us new hearts, new spirits. He puts His Spirit in us. We die to our old selves, to sin. We live in Him. We die to the law of sin and death and are made alive in Christ.