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Governmental Theory of the atonement. Biblical? Orthodox?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by webdog, Dec 7, 2010.

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  1. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Curious on your take on this view of the atonement.

    A summary from Theopedia...

    The Governmental theory of the atonement (also known as the moral government theory) maintains that Christ was not punished on behalf of the human race. Instead, God publicly demonstrated his displeasure with sin by punishing his own sinless and obedient Son as a propitiation. Because Christ's suffering and death served as a substitute for the punishment humans might have received, God is able to extend forgiveness while maintaining divine order, having demonstrated the seriousness of sin and thus appeasing his wrath.


    This view holds that Christ by His death actually paid the penalty for no man's sin.
     
    #1 webdog, Dec 7, 2010
  2. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    Sounds a like a quote from Mary, Glover, Patterson, Eddy(Christian Science founder)--..Key??? to the Scriptures.

    Selah,

    Bro. James
     
    #2 Bro. James, Dec 7, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 7, 2010
  3. Jarthur001

    Jarthur001 Active Member

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    Grotius, who BTW was an Arminian, tried to find the middle ground, between the reformed view..."penal substitutionary" and the view of Socinus.



    You find the Arminian slant in his view from the start. God's love is his driving force as it is in the Reformed view, but Grotius wants to play down God"s wrath in his nature. Grotius said that the cause of atonement, is apart from God nature. The cause of Christ death is found in the interests of what the universe requires, not what the nature of God might demand.



    Christ's death comes because of the sanctity of DIVINE GOVERNMENT.



    So.... Christ died as a PENAL EXAMPLE and not a penal subsitute, to show us his displeasure with sin. Grotius said this was done to encourage us not to sin.



    This is weak for many reasons.
     
    #3 Jarthur001, Dec 7, 2010
  4. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    Sounds off. Why beat up one kid because you're angry at another? Also this statement "Christ's suffering and death served as a substitute for the punishment humans might have recieved" seems to question if there is really a consiquence for human sin apart from Christ? Since his wrath is satiated and God can randomly extend forgiveness to whom ever what is the point of faith? weird.
     
    #4 Thinkingstuff, Dec 7, 2010
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