God the Peacemaker 6A
Chapter Six: The death and vindication of the faithful Son
In this most important chapter in God the Peacemaker, Graham Cole explores the cosmic-impacting atoning death of the faithful Son, Jesus and His vindication through the resurrection.
Early on, our author makes a critically important statement:
“…in our broken world no shalom can come without sacrifice.”
The sacrifice of Jesus was a “cosmic necessity” integral to God’s atoning project. Graham digs into what has been achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus, namely;
Victory over the devil – Christus Victor. Our author takes us through Scriptural data (Gen 3:15; Actis 10:36-38; Col 2:13-15; Heb 2:14-18; Rev 12:11) and historical expressions of this victory through Church history.
But how exactly is victory over the devil and evil secured? This question is explored at some length and with wonderful biblical insights; developed around the concept of ‘satisfaction,’ defined as:
“…meeting the divine desires, longings, expectations and wants as well as realising divine purposes and intentions.”
Satisfaction of divine holiness, divine righteousness and divine love through Jesus’ sacrifice.
- in regards divine holiness, Jesus’ sacrifice provides satisfaction because He offers Himself as a perfect Lamb in our place (1 Pt 1:18f cf. Lev 22:21; Heb 9:14). Graham highlights two images that bpseak so powerfully into my own walk with jesus – His sacrifice is ‘once-for-all’ (Heb 9:12, 26, 28; 10:10) and the rending of the Temple curtain (Matt 27:50f).
- in regards to divine righteousness, Jesus’ sacrifice provides satisfaction because through it, God demonstrates His justices (sin must and is dealt with) and shows Himself the Acquitter of the guilty who benefit from Christ’s intervention (Rom 3:21-26).
At this point, our author provides a brief biblical and histroic overview of penal substitution. He expands this topic in the appendix – this is very worthwhile reading, as graham interacts with some modern (of which some are not so modern) criticisms of understanding the sacrifice of Jesus as penal substitution. Such as:
- how important is this doctrine? Answer: it lies at the centre of Christ’s work. Christus Victor depends on the ground of satan’s accusations being removed. Satisfaction of justice deprives satan of his hold. Having recently preached through Hebrews I found Graham’s summary of Heb 6-10 stimulating. He sees Heb 9:28 describing a penal substitutionary sacrifice (righlty, I believe). In the light of Heb 6:1, our author asks the rhetorical question: ‘Can there be Christian maturity without grasping penal substitution?’
- is the doctrine moral? Jesus is not only innocent; He is righteous. And a righteous person does what is appropriate in a relationship. As the God-Man, Jesus’ bearing of our sins was appropriate.
- is the violence in this understanding of the atonement ‘Divine Child Abuse’? As always, Graham respectfully interacts with the critics and then provides, what I believe is a compelling response in the negative, by way of Derek Tidball’s analysis of the cdriticism (254).
This is very meaty stuff, but well worth chewing on, given criticisms of traditional understandings of the atonement, including by some who are self-confessed evangelicals.
Our author, still dealing with the topic of sacrifice, examines the biblical evidence as to what kind of sacrifice it was.
Propitatory? Sacrifice directed towards the wrath of God.
Expiatory? Sacrifice directed towrds sin.
Answer? Both (see Heb 9:5; 2:17; 1 Jn 2:1f; 4:10).
Covenant-making through sacrifice. The Last Supper is ‘Passover-like’ (approvingly quoting one of my favourite authors, Scot McKnight) and through Jesus’ sacrificial death He establishes a new relationship (covenant) between God and His people.
Well, this is a BIG post – but why not? This is a key chapter in God the Peacemaker. Importantly, growing in our understanding of what Jesus has achieved through His work on the cross is essential food for all followers of Jesus.
In the next post (which will be much shorter!) I will look at the final section of Chapter Six – the vindication of Jesus though His resurrection.