Theological Comparisons
The Westminster
So to put forth what may be considered the
present day expression of the Reformed view of the atonement, I shall employ
the words of the Westminster Confession.
The Lord Jesus,
by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the
eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of
His Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting
inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given
unto Him.[i]
This is one basis for the present
formulation of the atonement theory which is referred to as “penal
substitution” or “substitutionary atonement”. It has been worked out in all its
implications in various sources since then; to name a few reliable ones: Loraine Boettner, John Murray, J.I. Packer, Mark
Dever, Leon Morris, Robert L. Reymond, and John Stott. This theory has obvious
legal overtones and surmises that, being the due punishment for original and
actual sins, Christ’s death was a substitute for our own which is henceforth
applied by God’s gracious instrument—faith.
[i]
Westminster Confession of Faith contributors, The Westminster Confession of Faith, (Georgia
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