Template Laboratory: Saved from Sacrifice, Class 1: The Crisis of Penal Substiutionary Atonement

May 2, 2007

Saved from Sacrifice, Class 1: The Crisis of Penal Substiutionary Atonement

Many Christians are struggling with the model of penal substiutionary atonement (PSA), the dominant and almost exclusive interpretation of the cross in evangelical churches. The biggest problem with PSA is that it seems to situate violence in the very nature of God. Yet, the bible does view the cross as a “sacrifice” that “saves” us. Thus, is there a reading of Scripture that reads the cross as a sacrifice but that does not implicate God in bloody violence? This series (based on S. Mark Heim’s book Saved from Sacrifice) will seek to find such a reading.

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About Experimental Template

Welcome to the blog of Richard Beck, Professor and experimental psychologist at Abilene Christian University (brief vita).

The title of this space comes from two places. First, as a research psychologist I try to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences. Second, many of the essays here are theological experiments, exploratory and provisional essays that do not necessarily represent my views on matters of faith or ethics.

Experimental Theology was a 2008 Millennia Award winner and has been listed as a Top 100 Theology Blog. Essays from ET have been discussed in a variety of books -- from the geo-political The J-Curve to the ecclesial Introverts in the Church and Mere Churchianity to a national bestselling management book. Essays at ET have also been cited in articles in the Huffington Post, The Christian Chronicle, Wired and the Princeton Theological Review.

Experimental Theology is also available on the Kindle.

About Experimental Template

Experimental Theology is also available on the Kindle.

Welcome to the blog of Richard Beck, Professor and experimental psychologist at Abilene Christian University (brief vita). The title of this space comes from two places. First, as a research psychologist I try to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences. Second, many of the essays here are theological experiments, exploratory and provisional essays that do not necessarily represent my views on matters of faith or ethics.

Experimental Theology was a 2008 Millennia Award winner and has been listed as a Top 100 Theology Blog. Essays from ET have been discussed in a variety of books -- from the geo-political The J-Curve to the ecclesial Introverts in the Church and Mere Churchianity to a national bestselling management book. Essays at ET have also prompted articles in the Huffington Post, The Christian Chronicle, and Wired. Essays at ET have also been turned into journal articles, Bible Study materials, and readings for university and high school classes in theology, psychology, network theory, and ethics. Experimental Theology is also available on the Kindle.