Trinity Bible ChapelTrinity Bible ChapelTrinity Bible ChapelTrinity Bible Chapel
  • Jesus
  • About
    • Service Times & Location
    • Our Mission
    • Our Four Pillars
    • Our History
    • What We Believe
      • Our Doctrinal Statement
      • Specific Issues
        • Baptism and Communion
        • Church Government
        • Church Membership
        • Church Planting Philosophy
        • Church Structure
        • Counseling Philosophy
        • Creation, Evolution and God’s Sovereignty
        • Eternal Security of the Believer
        • Sufficiency of Scripture
        • Spiritual Warfare
        • The Trinity
        • Women in Ministry
        • Worship
    • Church Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Project Rehoboth
      • Rehoboth Updates
    • King Alfred Academy
  • Connect
    • New Here?
      • Welcome to Trinity!
      • What Should I Expect?
      • How Can I Be Saved?
      • Get Baptized
      • University Bus Shuttle
    • Get Connected
      • Step 1: Connect
      • Step 2: Consider
      • Step 3: Commit to a Small Group
      • Step 3: Commit to Serve
      • Step 4: Covenant in Membership
    • Resources
      • Weekly E-News
      • Events Calendar
      • Church App
      • Subscribe to Our Podcast
      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Bible Reading Plans
      • Weddings
      • The Church At War Conference
      • Antichrist and His Ruin Documentary
  • Ministries
    • Trinity Kids
      • Parenting Resources
      • Web Protection Guide
      • Parenting Conference Audio
    • Trinity Youth
      • Youth Ministry Blog Posts
    • Small Groups
      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Small Groups Blog Posts
      • Accountability Resources
    • University Bus Ministry
      • Adopt-A-Student Ministry
    • Worship Ministry
      • Family Worship
      • Weekend Song List
    • Sunday Support
    • Evangelism
      • Evangelism Videos
    • King Alfred Academy
    • Homeschool Collective
      • New to Homeschooling
      • Resources
      • Planning Pages
  • Sermons
    • Latest Sermon
    • View All by Date
    • View by Series
    • View by Preachers
    • View by Topics
    • View by Scriptures
    • Subscribe to Our Podcast
  • Blogs
    • The Pastor’s Blog
    • Trinity Ministry Blog
  • Give

The Pastor's Blog

By Jacob Reaume

Are All Atonement Theories Equal?

By Jacob Reaume | July 26, 2017 | Leave a Comment |
Tagged: atonement, penal substitution, penal substitutionary atonement

Some think that if we believe in a theory of the atonement we believe a good-enough theory of the atonement.  After all, atonement theories are just theories.  So just pick a theory, and you’re as doctrinally astute as Jesus.  At least that’s the thought pattern.  Further, to disagree is to be divisive.  Saying one theory is true while others are false is to divide the church.  Instead, we should “humbly” accept the theory that all theories are good enough.  I disagree with all of that, and I’ll show why below.  Some theories are nonsense, some theories are sneaky, some are diametrically opposed to truth, and all theories require discernment.  Just because it’s a theory doesn’t mean it’s a true theory.  Just because it’s a theory doesn’t mean it’s only a theory.

BAD LOGIC

For starters, if we apply that logic consistently, it gets wildly crazy.  Let’s suppose, hypothetically, that Dr. Dairymoon from Milkinglight Seminary develops the Lunar Fromagerie Theory of the Atonement (LFTA). He believes unequivocally that Christ died for sinners, that God forgives sinners, and that God is not angry with sinners who believe.  But the good doctor theorizes that for sinners to be forgiven the moon must be turned to cheese, and, therefore, the reason Christ died is to turn the moon to cheese so sinners can be forgiven.  It could pass as a theory about the atonement, after all.   Is it wrong?  I believe so.  But if you believe that all atonement theories are equal then the LFTA is equal to all atonement theories, including yours.  So, just because someone says it’s an atonement theory doesn’t mean it is a true theory.  Some theories are lies.

SNEAKY THEORIES

Saying that all theories are equal is a sneaky little trick.  It is a sly way to move the goal posts.  Again, going to the hypothetical, let’s say Dr. Postmoderntheologian from the Seminary of the Zeitgeist develops the Equality of All Atonement Theories Theory (EAATT).  In doing so, he offers no reasons other than that many people disagree over theories and he’s morally superior because he’s not divisive like the rest.  He believes in all theories, all theories about theories, and even in all theories about theories about theories.  Essentially, he makes the rules, judges the others, and thus renders himself morally superior to all the divisive theorizers.  Dr. Postmoderntheologian presents himself as the true loving unifier.  In reality, he’s only developed another theory, but it’s a theory about theories and is vacuous of anything Scriptural.  It’s just a sneaky way of developing a theory that looks better than other theories.

OPPOSING THEORIES

Another problem is that some theories are opposed to other theories.  For example since the rise of theological liberalism, Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) has become a favourite whipping boy for all the other theorizers.  Some talk about Moral Influence Theory.  They reason that Christ did not die to propitiate God, but rather to influence us positively morally.  Of course, they are right to note that Christ’s death should motivate our actions, but they are wrong to deny PSA.  Christ died as a penal substitute, which was an act of God’s love, which teaches us about love, which influences us morally.  PSA is foundational for Christ’s moral influence over us.   Or take for example the Governmental Theory.  It reasons that Christ did not pay for sins, but that He only suffered to show that when God’s laws are broken a payment must be made.  They are right to note that payment must be made, but they are wrong to dismiss Christ as necessary payment.  Within the Moral Influence and Government Theories we find truth.  But that truth is coupled with denial of foundational truth.  Even the (not-so?) hypothetical EATT from the previous paragraph denies the claims of other theories.  If EATT is right, then the PSA, Governmental, and Moral Influence Theories cannot be.  Some theories are deficient.  Some theories are opposed to other theories.

BAD THEORIES

A major problem comes with the word, theory.  When we see that word, theory, we tend to dismiss it as just a theory, as in simply an innovation of fallen men.  But we shouldn’t.  Some theories are true.  Some theories are lies.   Not all theories are equal.  “Some theorize that I didn’t give the money, but I theorize that I did,” Ananias could have reasoned.  Or, “Some theorize that worshipping golden calves is sin, but I theorize that it’s all good and we should never divide over mere theories,” Aaron could have rationalized.  “Some theorize that God said don’t eat of that tree, but I theorize that God’s Word is not authoritative,” Satan could have argued.  Not all theories are equal.  Some are true.  Some are lies.  Some are purely evil.

CONCLUSION

Having a theory about the atonement is not necessarily a good thing.  There are all kinds of theories out there, and even some theories about theories.  We should test all theories against facts, and after testing we should discern truth.  And in order to discern truth we look to the Scriptures.  I happen to believe that PSA is the unifier of all other implications of the atonement.


SHARE


Comments

Related Posts

  • We Lost our Constitutional Appeal: Now What?

    By Jacob Reaume | March 14, 2023

    The week before last the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled on Trinity Bible Chapel’s constitutional challenge.  I’ll talk about that in a moment, but first let me offer some background. Back in 2020 and 2021, the Canadian people got scared because the news said we were facing a death-dealing pandemic.  Our provincial government granted PremierRead more

  • Wine at the Lord’s Table: Our Broken Tradition

    By Jacob Reaume | February 9, 2023

    Paul, when admonishing the Corinthians to be orderly and proper at the Lord’s Supper, said, “For what I received from the Lord that I also delivered to you” (1 Corinthians 11:23).  In other words, the institution is a tradition that is passed hand to hand and generation to generation.  Starting with Jesus, He passed itRead more

  • The Rainbow Flag, Local Council, and Elmira’s Streets

    By Jacob Reaume | August 23, 2022

    Elmira is Ontario’s latest community to look at painting a trendy rainbow on one of it’s streets.  Apparently, the Canadian Association of Mental Health has requested that the municipality paint one on a local crosswalk as a show of support for the LGBTQS2+ community.  Those letters — LGBTQS2+ — are likely the latest alpha-numeric codeRead more

  • A Gay Bar with Free Math Lessons

    By Jacob Reaume | June 15, 2022

    I have been advising parents to pull their children from public schools for several years.  The primary objective of education should be to foster Christian virtue in the hearts of children.  Apparently this view was once shared by the majority of Ontarians to the point that they had it enshrined in law.  Section 264.1.c ofRead more

  • Protect Your Children from Public School

    By Jacob Reaume | June 9, 2022

    A few months ago, I reported (here) of a Waterloo Region public school teacher who the WRDSB chair censored at a board meeting.  Her offence?  She questioned whether school officials should be teaching children that hormone blockers are a good idea.  She did so while quoting a public school library book that presented hormone blockersRead more

Newer PostOlder Post

Top 5 Trending

  • What does “makes her commit adultery” mean? (Matt. 5:32)

    October 25, 2018
  • We Lost our Constitutional Appeal: Now What?

    March 14, 2023
  • Wine at the Lord’s Table: Our Broken Tradition

    February 9, 2023
  • King Alfred and Why He’s Called “Great”

    June 21, 2018
  • Yes, Bruxy Cavey Is A False Teacher

    July 11, 2018

Latest Posts

  • We Lost our Constitutional Appeal: Now What?

    March 14, 2023
  • Wine at the Lord’s Table: Our Broken Tradition

    February 9, 2023
  • The Rainbow Flag, Local Council, and Elmira’s Streets

    August 23, 2022
  • A Gay Bar with Free Math Lessons

    June 15, 2022
  • Protect Your Children from Public School

    June 9, 2022

About the Author

Jacob Reaume

Born and raised in Guelph, Jacob holds a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He became pastor of Trinity Bible Chapel in August, 2009. Jacob is married to his high school sweetheart, Joanna, and together they have six children.

CHURCH LOCATION
Address:    1373 Lobsinger Line
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4G8

Phone: 519-658-6333
Email: info@trinitybiblechapel.ca

NEW HERE?

  • Service Times & Location
  • Welcome to Trinity!
  • What Should I Expect?
  • How Can I Be Saved?
  • University Bus Shuttle
  • Our Mission
  • Our Doctrinal Statement

OUR MINISTRIES

  • Trinity Kids
  • Trinity Youth
  • Small Groups
  • University Bus Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
  • Sunday Support
  • Evangelism

GET CONNECTED

  • Step 1: Connect
  • Step 2: Consider
  • Step 3: Commit to a Small Group
  • Step 3: Commit to Serve
  • Step 4: Covenant in Membership
  • Get Baptized
  • Events Calendar
Trinity Bible Chapel on Rumble
Copyright © 2022 Trinity Bible Chapel
  • Jesus
  • About
    • Service Times & Location
    • Our Mission
    • Our Four Pillars
    • Our History
    • What We Believe
      • Our Doctrinal Statement
      • Specific Issues
        • Baptism and Communion
        • Church Government
        • Church Membership
        • Church Planting Philosophy
        • Church Structure
        • Counseling Philosophy
        • Creation, Evolution and God’s Sovereignty
        • Eternal Security of the Believer
        • Sufficiency of Scripture
        • Spiritual Warfare
        • The Trinity
        • Women in Ministry
        • Worship
    • Church Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Project Rehoboth
      • Rehoboth Updates
    • King Alfred Academy
  • Connect
    • New Here?
      • Welcome to Trinity!
      • What Should I Expect?
      • How Can I Be Saved?
      • Get Baptized
      • University Bus Shuttle
    • Get Connected
      • Step 1: Connect
      • Step 2: Consider
      • Step 3: Commit to a Small Group
      • Step 3: Commit to Serve
      • Step 4: Covenant in Membership
    • Resources
      • Weekly E-News
      • Events Calendar
      • Church App
      • Subscribe to Our Podcast
      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Bible Reading Plans
      • Weddings
      • The Church At War Conference
      • Antichrist and His Ruin Documentary
  • Ministries
    • Trinity Kids
      • Parenting Resources
      • Web Protection Guide
      • Parenting Conference Audio
    • Trinity Youth
      • Youth Ministry Blog Posts
    • Small Groups
      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Small Groups Blog Posts
      • Accountability Resources
    • University Bus Ministry
      • Adopt-A-Student Ministry
    • Worship Ministry
      • Family Worship
      • Weekend Song List
    • Sunday Support
    • Evangelism
      • Evangelism Videos
    • King Alfred Academy
    • Homeschool Collective
      • New to Homeschooling
      • Resources
      • Planning Pages
  • Sermons
    • Latest Sermon
    • View All by Date
    • View by Series
    • View by Preachers
    • View by Topics
    • View by Scriptures
    • Subscribe to Our Podcast
  • Blogs
    • The Pastor’s Blog
    • Trinity Ministry Blog
  • Give
Trinity Bible Chapel