BILLY CRONE: WILL THE PRETRIB RAPTURE BE PASSED OFF AS A MASS ALIEN ABDUCTION?

 Their Plan to Hide the Rapture | Billy Crone (youtube.com)

Billy Crone has done some good research on witchcraft and the occult, but unfortunately, when it comes to the rapture he is unreliable. Both Billy Crone and Mondo Gonzalez reject the influential but inaccurate "Left Behind" version of the rapture promoted by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins. This misleading interpretation of the rapture portrays believers' instantaneous disappearance with just their clothes remaining.

The departure from "Left Behind" is long overdue within the pre-trib camp, but there are serious issues in that they still fail to connect with the scriptures. In the above video, Crone and Gonzalez refer to Jesus' visible ascension in the clouds.

After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).

The pretrib view of the rapture is so embedded within the Western church that teachers of this error will resort to almost any interpretation other than the correct one. Crone has omitted the critical information that everyone will actually see the Son of Man coming on the clouds i.e. no one will be in any doubt about what is happening when the rapture occurs. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26 cf. Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7,24:30,6:15-17).

Billy Crone's fantastical red herring

Crone: "We go up, they show up".  In other words, those left behind after the rapture will be deceived into believing that aliens have abducted millions of people.

Crone: "The ultimate excuse is to explain away the rapture.. ..you should see the government going from denial to admittance including the admittance of aliens.. it has slowly methodically foisted on us. It started 150 years ago or more with the lie of evolution/Charles Darwin, moving forward just to get that mindset, to lead to the next mindset, now that there are aliens/evolution out there and then you can explain this away. But as soon as that happens, here comes spaceships in whatever form right maybe they land on the White House lawn or whatever and other places around the world.. people will fall for it just like that.."

Crone's claim that UFOlogy has become the new world religion and that the rapture will be passed off with the rationale that Mother Earth is cleansing herself is extremely problematic biblically. No doubt these speculations sell books and DVDs, but that is not what we need; Christians need truth! (John 8:32). Incredibly, Crone and Gonzalez would rather resort to fantastical and unverifiable speculation instead of simply reading the scriptures. There is no information in the bible that people will believe that the rapture is an alien abduction. The only instance of a mass invasion of the demonic is when Satan and his angels are thrown down. (Revelation 12:7-9). This event is generally understood to be the ultimate expulsion of Satan from heaven rather than his original expulsion. (Daniel 12:1). Satan's expulsion from heaven precedes the abomination of desolation event at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel. No doubt things will get very weird at that point, and there will be unprecedented deception, but there is no indication that the Antichrist will pose as an alien, rather he will claim to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4). In any event, the pre-trib camp claims that the rapture will precede the 70th week of Daniel. No other event in the scriptures describes Crone's fantastical scenario. (1 John 4:1).

Pretribbers have been indoctrinated with the falsehood that Matthew 24-25 does not apply to the church but to the Jews, and that Matthew 24 refers to the regathering of Israel. There are a number of problems with this assumption. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus addresses his followers i.e. the future church. When Jesus says "Therefore when you see.." (Matthew 24:15) he expands on his response to the disciples' original question about the destruction of the temple and the sign of his coming and the end of the age. (Matthew 24:3). The sum of the scriptures confirms a prewrath rapture between the 6th and 7th seals of Revelation. (Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). A straightforward reading of the text exposes the folly of a pre-70th-week rapture. It is inexplicable that pretrib teachers fail to acknowledge the relevance of the Olivet Discourse to the church, especially considering its potentially devastating repercussions for themselves and their followers. (Matthew 23:36,24:10). I recommend Alan Kurschner's article below for a detailed exegesis of the Olivet Discourse as it relates to this subject.* 

Immediately after the tribulation of those days:‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 cf. Isaiah 13:10,34:4; Joel 2:10; Daniel 7:13-14).

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. (Revelation 1:7).

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64).

 

* The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24–25) is for the Church, Not the Jews (alankurschner.com)

EMMA STARK CLAIMS THAT SHE WILL SPEAK THE PLAGUES OF REVELATION 11 INTO EXISTENCE!

Living By God’s Voice | What The Prophets Say | Episode 10 (youtube.com)

The utter bankruptcy of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is exposed once again in the above video where Emma Stark and Sam Robertson pose as "prophets". Sam Robertson claims that he was flown to heaven and that the entire global map was tattooed on his body - there is no sign of it here however! Emma Stark announced that she would speak the plagues of Revelation 11 into existence in 2022. The original video was recently re-posted on YouTube because Global Prophetic Alliance claims it is one of their most popular episodes despite its non-fulfillment. The false claims of NAR prophets are worthless and extremely damaging to the church. (Matthew 7:15).

This post focuses on Revelation 11 and Emma Starks's alleged "Revelation 11 Church". 

Revelation 11 in context

The two witnesses will minister for 1260 days and their ministry will end before the seventh trumpet is sounded. The general consensus is that the timeframe of the two witnesses occurs during the second half of Daniels's 70th week in the period known as "the Great Tribulation" approximately three and a half years prior to Jesus' return at Armageddon. (Matthew 24:21). This period follows the abomination of desolation event at the midpoint of the 70th week when the Antichrist takes his seat in the Jerusalem temple, proclaims himself to be God and sets himself up as the world ruler. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 11:36). Many unbelievers (earth dwellers) will exclude themselves from salvation by taking the mark of the beast during this time. Unprecedented persecution against believers will occur during the great tribulation with many paying the ultimate price of their lives. It was granted to him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them” (Revelation 13:7a). There is no evidence to suggest that anyone in the church will have the capacity to speak plagues into existence, in fact the reverse is indicated. The church will be decimated and virtually extinguished from the earth during this period. (Matthew 24:9). The remnant who remain at the end of the great tribulation will be raptured in between the 6th and 7th seal. (Matthew 24:31). In contrast the two witnesses will be imbued with special power to execute various judgements upon the Antichrist kingdom. 

Note that this prophecy refers specifically to the two witnesses, it does not refer to anyone else. In particular, it does not refer to Emma Stark, Bill Hamon, Chuck Pearce or any other NAR "prophet"! The two witnesses are described as.. the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:4). This figure is loosely based on Zechariah 4:3,11-14. These are two literal individuals who are also described as prophets. ( Revelation 11:10). The two witnesses do not represent the church, rather they are direct agents of God Himself. Christians are not given authority to call down judgements on the world, rather they are called to "overcome the world" by following Jesus' example. Jesus' victory on the cross extends beyond earthly limitations. (John 18:36; 1 Corinthians 15:55).

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:11 cf. 1 John 5:4-5,16:33).

The ministry of the two witnesses is based in Jerusalem but their influence is far-reaching culminating in a great earthquake in which a tenth of the city will fall. (Revelation 11:5,13). There are various candidates for the two witnesses. The most convincing in my view are Moses and Elijah (Malachi 4:5) or possibly Moses and Enoch.  

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. 

When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified. For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly. (Revelation 11:1-14).

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).

Further Links 

(Video) Do the Two Witnesses Symbolize the Church? | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
PeopleThe Two Witnesses.wps - ClickBoo (prewrath.com)

SUSAN HIND ONE CHURCH LEICESTER: BREATH PRAYERS - A WARNING

The Jesus Rhythm | Susan Hind (One Church Together, 14th July 2024) (youtube.com)

The problem with many New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) associated churches like One Church in Leicester is that they are ecumenical and apostate. In reality, they have no true regard for the scriptures.

The practice of breath prayer involves selecting a specific word or short phrase from the scriptures and repeating it in conjunction with the breath. This is pseudo-prayer and is classic contemplative mysticism promoted primarily by false teachers Rick Warren and Richard Foster. 

Christians should be careful not to participate in ancient mystical pagan practices and mind-emptying techniques. Entering the “silence" involves centering prayer, lectio divina, breath prayers, chanting mantras etc. These techniques are common to Eastern meditation and the New Age and have no part to play in biblical Christianity. The Hinds' form of Christianity is not Christianity at all and is very dangerous. I do not recommend putting an empty chair for "Jesus" in front of you when you pray, practicing breath prayers or decreeing and declaring (a hallmark of the NAR). 

..having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:5 cf. Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:16,23; Ephesians 4:14).

Prayer is simply presenting our requests to God, it does not involve relying on pagan influences or other man-centered unscriptural techniques. (Proverbs 30:6)

..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:6-12).

Taking two months out for a so-called "sabbatical" on the Isle of Lewis is a luxury that very few, if any, Christians can afford to do. I guess the Hinds consider themselves so special and entitled that they can justify it, just as they justify many other problematic things. 

Susan Hind falls at the first hurdle since the scriptures are clear that women are not permitted to teach or have authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:12). Any "church" employing a woman pastor is not a legitimate church. 

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18:4).

Further Links

Breath Prayer—Not Biblical Prayer (lighthousetrailsresearch.com)
The Dangers of Contemplative Prayer – Berean Research
Contemplative Prayer, Mysticism & Kundalini (youtube.com)

ADAM FANNIN LAW OF LIBERTY BAPTIST CHURCH: REPENTANCE CHALLENGE

REPENT OF SINS - False Gospel (youtube.com)

Adam Fannin is the pastor of The Law of Liberty Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, I have decided to take him up on his Repentance Challenge. 

Fannin's interpretation of repent is "to change our minds about Jesus Christ " or "to be persuaded to change your faith." (Luke 16:30-31). Fannin insists that the bible defines repentance as a change of mind and he rejects the concept of repentance as a change in direction or turning from sin. Isn't turning away from a false belief system such as the JW'S to Jesus Christ the ultimate in turning away from sin? 

Repentance encompasses two sides of the same coin i.e. it involves changing one's mind about sin as well as putting one's trust in Jesus Christ. Don't the demons believe without repentance? (James 2:19). The scriptures inform us that salvation is the gift of God by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8). Those who define repentance as a "work" do so because they understand "repent" in rudimentary terms as "turning from sin". However, repentance cannot be considered a "work"; it is a volitional response to God's grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8-11).

Fannin says he is not an advocate of going back to the Hebrew and the Greek languages. The Law of Liberty Baptist Church is an Independent Baptist church that adheres to the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. The KJV is a good version, but it is not 100% correct and King James Onlyism can sometimes impede our understanding of the original texts. In this instance, Fannin uses the short definition of repent - metanoeó: to change one's mind.1 

The short definition of μετανοέω is restrictive as demonstrated below.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary:

1. (a.) Prostrate and rooting; -- said of stems.
2. (a.) Same as Reptant.
3. (v. i.) To feel pain, sorrow, or regret, for what one has done or omitted to do.
4. (v. i.) To change the mind, or the course of conduct, on account of regret or dissatisfaction.
5. (v. i.) To be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to love and practice sin.
6. (v. t.) To feel pain on account of; to remember with sorrow.
7. (v. t.) To feel regret or sorrow; -- used reflexively.
8. (v. t.) To cause to have sorrow or regret; -- used impersonally.2 

Blue Letter Bible:
to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins
"Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)3 

Ellicott: "(2) Repent.--Etymologically, the word 'repent,' which has as its root-meaning the sense of pain, is hardly adequate as a rendering for the Greek word, which implies change of mind and purpose. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word is used of divine rather than human repentance, i.e., of a change of purpose implying pity and regret (1Samuel 15:29; Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 18:8). In Wisdom Of Solomon 5:3; Ecclesiasticus 17:24; Ecclesiasticus 48:15, it includes the sorrow out of which the change comes."4  

Meyer: "Matthew 3:2. Μετανοεῖτε] denotes the transformation of the moral disposition, which is requisite in order to obtain a share in the kingdom of the Messiah."4

Cambridge Bible: Repent ye] The original implies more than 'feel sorrow or regret for sin,' it is rather 'change the life, the heart, the motive for action.' It was a call to self-examination and reality of life.4

Clarke: "Repent — μετανοειτε. This was the matter of the preaching. The verb μετανοεω is either compounded of μετα, after, and νοειν to understand, which signifies that, after hearing such preaching, the sinner is led to understand, that the way he has walked in was the way of misery, death, and hell."5 

Blue Letter Bible: "The Hebrew word 'נָחַם' (nâcham) has several meanings, depending on the context:
To be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent:This usage refers to feeling remorse or regret for one’s own actions. For example, in the Bible, it is used in passages like Genesis 6:6, where God regrets creating humanity.
It can also mean to change one’s mind or turn away from a previous course of action."6 

For the benefit of Fannin and his followers, I have used the KJV in the quotes below. The concept of repentance from sin is a definite factor in these verses.  

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19).

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3; Mark 1:4).

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10). 

I have addressed the further error of "once saved always saved" (OSAS) in a previous post.7

1. Strong's Greek: 3340. μετανοέω (metanoeó) -- to change one's mind or purpose (biblehub.com)
2. Bible Dictionary: Repent (biblehub.com)
3. G3340 - metanoeō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (esv) (blueletterbible.org)
4. Matthew 3:2 Commentaries: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (biblehub.com)
5. Matthew 3 Clarke's Commentary (biblehub.com)
6. H5162 - nāḥam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (rsv) (blueletterbible.org)
7. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

WARREN MCGREW (IDOL KILLER): PENAL SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT (7)

Jesus Saved us from God? - PSA Examined (youtube.com)

This is the seventh and final episode in a series of seven videos in which Warren McGrew and Paul Vendredi refute the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). They attribute PSA primarily to Augustine of Hippo (AD354-430), followed by Anselm of Canterbury (AD 1033-1109), and the 16th-century Reformers.  

The first fifteen PSA claims (see previous posts).

1. Adam as mankind's federal head transmits the guilt of his sin to all mankind. (Anselm)
2. Because of Original Sin mankind is now totally depraved. (Anselm)
3. Even Infants, innocent of personal sin, are guilty of Original Sin. (Anslem)
4. The sin of Adam infinitely offends God because the gravity of the offense depends on the worth of the one offended. (Anselm)
5. All sin is to be understood as a debt we owe God for the crime of having dishonored him. (Anselm)
6. Even Infants owe this debt. (Anslem)
7. In the Old Testament era, God insists that this debt be paid by shedding an innocent animal's blood. (Appeasement school)
8. God could have redeemed man by the simple act of wiling it... (false claim)
9. ...but God cannot forgive sin without first punishing the sinner. (Anselm)
10. Not only must the redemption mirror the fall, but it must also be as painful as possible since the fall was easy. (Anselm)
11. Only the death of God-man is worthy to serve as a recompense to God for his offended honor. (Anselm)
12. Christ becomes incarnate so his humanity can suffer as a substitute for us. (Anselm)
13. God pours out His wrath on Christ pretending that Christ is we, the ones who actually deserve punishment (Appeasement School)
14. On the cross, Christ becomes literal sin and a literal curse. (Appeasement School)
15. God's eyes are too holy to look upon sin, so the Father turns his back on Christ, abandoning him. (Appeasement School)

16. Christ dies on the cross as an unblemished sacrifice and thereby removes the need for further sacrifice by appeasing God's wrath once and for all. (Appeasement School)

Vendredi: "Claim 16 was not found in the medieval system of atonement, but it is something that the modern exponents of the atonement teach.. Aquinas briefly touches upon this in the Law Section of the Summa Theologica and he offers a surprisingly weak defense of this."

PSA is not limited to "modern exponents of the atonement". It can be demonstrated unequivocally that the Church Fathers affirmed PSA.

Vendredi's objection re "literal sin" Claim 14. (8:00 mark) The false doctrine that Christ became "literal sin" is a minority view and is unrepresentative of the "Atonement School".  RC Sproul's grotesque depiction of Jesus on the cross goes beyond the scriptures. (Proverbs 30:6). In a controversial sermon, false teacher and scam artist Todd White voiced some equally blasphemous depictions of Jesus, claiming that He "became every terrible sin in the world" during His crucifixion. (2 Corinthians 5:21).1  There was widespread condemnation of White's "sermon" across the board.

Vendredi's objection (9:00 mark): Vendredi challenges the common belief that Christ fulfills the Old Testament scapegoat ritual. (Leviticus 16:7ff.). Vendredi: "Wrong day and wrong animal! Passover is not Yom Kippur and sheep are not goats." 

 

Vendredi: "Christ fulfills the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). He does not fulfill the sacrifices that were instituted after the golden calf incident in Exodus 32. He fulfills the pre-golden calf sacrifices, specifically the iconoclastic sacrifice of the Passover Lamb."   

Vendredi's isolated claim that Jesus does not fulfill Yom Kippur is contrary to Orthodox Christianity. His argument goes as follows: The people who offered up the sacrifices are the Aaronic Order. To qualify to offer sacrifices it was necessary to be from the tribe of Levi, the clan of Kohath, the family of Aaron. If Jesus represents the animals offered by the Levites he would be born into that tribe. However, Jesus is the Lion of Judah and comes from the tribe of Judah. (Revelation 5:5). Vendredi answers his own question: Jesus is after the Order of Melchizedek, He is not of the Levitical Order. (Hebrews 7:11). To summarize Vendredi's argument: Melchizedek offered up bread and wine, he did not offer up an animal sacrifice when he met Abram at the Valley of Shaveh. (Genesis 14:17-18). Jesus instituted the sacrifice of bread and wine at the Last Supper. Therefore Jesus rejected the temple sacrifices and disassociated himself from animal sacrifices.. (16:00 mark) Response: Melchizedek did not bring an offering; he "brought out" bread and wine for the refreshment of Abram and his soldiers as a friendly gesture. (Genesis 14:18).2 

Keil and Delitzsc: "Melchizedek brings bread and wine from Salem 'to supply the exhausted warriors with food and drink, but more especially as a mark of gratitude to Abram, who had conquered for them peace, freedom, and prosperity.' (Delitzsch)."2 

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: "Bread and wine; not for sacrifice to God; for then he had brought forth beasts to be slain, which were the usual and best sacrifices: but partly to show the respect which he bore to Abram, and principally to refresh his weary and hungry army, according to the manner of those times. See Deu 23:3,4 25:18 Judges 8:5,6,15 1 Samuel 17:17.2     

Vendredi's proposal: Animal sacrifices were rejected by Jesus due to the disruption He caused during the cleansing of the temple, allegedly on three separate occasions, i.e. three years running, when animal sacrifices were prevented. (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:13-16). This proposal is highly speculative and unrealistic. Firstly, the suggestion that Jesus cleansed the temple three years running is conjecture. Secondly, Jesus' actions were not a rejection of animal sacrifices, he condemned the unethical practices of the sellers. (John 2:16). Furthermore, the scriptures indicate that the cleansing of the temple was an isolated incident. It is not likely that Jesus prevented the sellers from trading for an extended period. It is possible that the sellers recovered and returned to the temple courts, or alternatively they withdrew and continued their trade outside the temple courts. We simply do not have the information and Vendredi's eiesgesis clutches at straws.   

The Orthodox view is that all the Old Testament sacrifices typified Jesus Christ. The primary representation of Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. (John 1:29). Expositors agree that both the Passover and Yom Kippur are distinct events that foreshadow Jesus Christ. This position is corroborated by the Church Fathers.

The Epistle of Barnabus - Chapter VII - Fasting, And The Goat Sent Away, Were Types Of Christ.

"Take two goats of goodly aspect, and similar to each other, and offer them. And let the priest take one as a burnt-offering for sins. And what should they do with the other? "Accursed," says He, "is the one." Mark how the type of Jesus now comes out."3  

Justin Martyr - Chapter XL - Dialogue With Trypho

"And the two goats which were ordered to be offered during the fast, of which one was sent away as the scape [goat], and the other sacrificed, were similarly declarative of the two appearances of Christ.."4 

Tertullian - Chapter XIV - Conclusion. Clue To The Error Of The Jews.

"So, again, I will make an interpretation of the two goats which were habitually offered on the fast-day. Do not they, too, point to each successive stage in the character of the Christ who is already come?"5

17. Thus Christ's death ransoms us from the wrath of God. (Anselm)

Proof texts for this claim: Mark 10:45; Matthew 20:28;1 Timothy 2:5-6.

Cambridge Bible: "45. and to give his life] We have here one of the early intimations of the mysterious purport of the Passion, that the Redeemer was about to give His life as a ransom for many (1 Timothy 2:6). The word translated 'ransom' only occurs here and in the parallel, Matthew 20:28. Wyclif renders it “and yyue his soule, or lyf, redempcioun, or ayen-biyng, for manye.” The three great circles of images, which the Scriptures employ when they represent to us the purport of the death of Christ, are (a) a sin-offering, or propitiation (1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10); (b) reconciliation (= at-one-ment) with an offended friend (Romans 5:11; Romans 11:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19); (c), as here, redemption from slavery (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14)." 6 

Vendredi: "To whom is the ransom paid?  There are three candidates: death, Satan or God." 

Vendredi proposes "None of the above". He presents a little-known definition of "ransom" based on the writings of Gregory of Nazianzus. Vendredi: "The word ransom (lutron) is not being used in the lexical sense. It is being used in a stipulative sense to mean rescue. God says that He will redeem Israel from Egypt. (Exodus 6:6) The word redeem in the Septuagint is the Greek word lutrosome (?) which is the verbal form of the word lutron. I am unable to determine where Vendredi sourced this form of lutron. The forms and transliterations of λύτρον are: λύτρα λύτροις λυτρον λύτρον λύτρου λύτρων lutron lytron lýtron. Gregory of Nazianzus' writings are extensive, and unfortunately, Vendredi did not give a specific reference.7 In any event this is an obscure citation that does not correspond to lexical definitions.

Thayers Greek Lexicon: "λύτρον, λύτρου, τό (λύω), the Sept. passim for כֹּפֶר, גְּאֻלָּה, פִּדְיון, etc.; the price for redeeming, ransom (paid for slaves, Leviticus 19:20; for captives, Isaiah 45:13; for the ransom of a life, Exodus 21:30; Numbers 35:31f): ἀντί πολλῶν, to liberate many from the misery and penalty of their sins, Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45. (Pindar, Aeschylus, Xenophon, Plato, others.)"8 

Go, speak to the children of Israel, saying, I am the Lord; and I will lead you forth from the tyranny of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from bondage, and I will ransom (וְגָאַלְתִּ֤י ve·ga·'al·ti) you with a high arm, and great judgment. (Exodus 6:6). (Brenton's Septuagint Translation)

In response to Vendredi's "rescue from Egypt view", the Hebrew gâ’al encompasses considerably more than the idea of rescue, gâ’al is to resume a lapsed claim or right.9

Cambridge Bible: "redeem] The proper sense of the Heb. gâ’al is to resume a claim or right which has lapsed, to reclaim, re-vindicate: it is thus used Leviticus 25:25ff. of the ‘redemption’ of a house or field, after it has been sold (cf. Jeremiah 32:7-8), and in the expression, the ‘avenger (gô’çl) of blood,’ properly the one who vindicates the rights of a murdered man: it is also often used metaphorically of deliverance from oppression, trouble, death, &c., as here, Exodus 15:13, Genesis 48:16, Hosea 13:14, Psalm 103:4, and especially in II Isaiah, of Yahweh’s reclaiming His people from exile in Babylon, Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:1, &c. On the syn. pâdâh, see on Exodus 13:13."10

The overwhelming consensus is that Christ offered Himself to God as a ransom. 

The Old Testament sacrifices were types of Jesus' sacrifice and were offerings to God. (Exodus 30:11-12; Numbers 8:12; Jeremiah 31:10-11; Hosea 13:14; Isaiah 53:10-11 etc.)

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:12-15).

Vendredi attempts to convince his audience that the second-century document The Epistle to Diognetus also refers to "rescue". The context of the passage is self-evident and needs no further comment!

The Epistle to Diognetus - Chapter 9

"But when our wickedness had reached its height, and it had been clearly shown that its reward, punishment and death, was impending over us; and when the time had come which God had before appointed for manifesting His own kindness and power, how the one love of God, through exceeding regard for men, did not regard us with hatred, nor thrust us away, nor remember our iniquity against us, but showed great long-suffering, and bore with us, He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for those who are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!"11

Vendredi has given it his best shot, but ultimately he has failed to obliterate the doctrine of PSA. His utilization of unrepresentative examples, spurious claims, selective information, obscure references and illogical argumentation is rife throughout this series. Vendredi's arguments fail the test of both the scriptures and the requirements of scholarly research. Initially, I was willing to give Warren McGrew the benefit of the doubt. However, as I progressed through this series my impression was that he played the part of a useful idiot rather than someone genuinely seeking after truth. (1 John 4:1; Romans 16:17).

1. Todd White Jesus Became EVERY Filthy Sin on the Cross Including... (youtube.com)
2. Genesis 14:18 Commentaries: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. (biblehub.com)
3. The Epistle of Barnabas (translation Roberts-Donaldson) (earlychristianwritings.com)
4. Saint Justin Martyr: Dialogue with Trypho (Roberts-Donaldson) (earlychristianwritings.com)
5. Tertullian (Roberts-Donaldson) (earlychristianwritings.com)
6. Mark 10:45 Commentaries: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (biblehub.com)
7. NEW ADVENT: Search
8. Thayer's Greek: 3083. λύτρον (lutron) -- a ransom (biblehub.com)
9. Strong's Hebrew: 1350. גָּאַל (gaal) -- to redeem, act as kinsman (biblehub.com)
10. Exodus 6 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)
11. CHURCH FATHERS: Epistle to Diognetus (Mathetes) (newadvent.org)

WARREN MCGREW (IDOL KILLER): PENAL SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT (6)

Most Sinful Man In The Universe - PSA Examined (youtube.com)

This is the sixth in a series of seven videos in which Warren McGrew and Paul Vendredi refute the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). They attribute PSA primarily to Augustine of Hippo (AD354-430), followed by Anselm of Canterbury (AD 1033-1109), and the 16th-century Reformers.  

The first twelve PSA claims (see previous posts).

1. Adam as mankind's federal head transmits the guilt of his sin to all mankind. (Anselm)
2. Because of Original Sin mankind is now totally depraved. (Anselm)
3. Even Infants, innocent of personal sin, are guilty of Original Sin. (Anslem)
4. The sin of Adam infinitely offends God because the gravity of the offense depends on the worth of the one offended. (Anselm)
5. All sin is to be understood as a debt we owe God for the crime of having dishonored him. (Anselm) 6. Even Infants owe this debt. (Anslem)
7. In the Old Testament era, God insists that this debt be paid by shedding an innocent animal's blood. 
8. God could have redeemed man by the simple act of willing it.. (false claim)
9. ...but God cannot forgive sin without first punishing the sinner. (Anselm)
10. Not only must the redemption mirror the fall, but it must also be as painful as possible since the fall was easy. (Anselm)
11. Only the death of God-man is worthy to serve as a recompense to God for his offended honor. (Anselm)
12. Christ becomes incarnate so his humanity can suffer as a substitute for us. (Anselm)

13. God pours out His wrath on Christ pretending that Christ is we, the ones who actually deserve punishment. (Appeasement School)  

The primary proof text for claim 13 is Isaiah 53:4-6.

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:1-12).

Isaiah 53:4 is cited in Matthew 8:17. Vendredi takes the limited view that the entire passage refers to the Restored-Icon Model. While Isaiah 53:4 refers to Jesus' healing ministry, verses 5-6 cannot refer to anything other than the crucifixion. 

And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases. (Matthew 8:14-17). 

Meyer: Matthew 8:17. This expelling of demons and healing of diseases were intended, in pursuance of the divine purposes, to be a fulfilment of the prediction in Isaiah 53:4. Observe that this prophecy is fulfilled by Jesus in another sense also, viz. by His atoning death (John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24). 

Barnes: "The word translated 'griefs' in Isaiah, and 'infirmities' in Matthew, means properly, in the Hebrew and Greek, 'diseases of the body.' In neither does it refer to the disease of the mind, or to sin. To bear those griefs is clearly to bear them away, or to remove them. This was done by his miraculous power in healing the sick. The word rendered 'sorrows' in Isaiah, and 'sicknesses' in Matthew, means 'pain, grief, or anguish of mind.' To 'carry' these is to sympathize with the sufferers; to make provision for alleviating those sorrows, and to take them away. This he did by his precepts and by his example; and the cause of all sorrows - 'sin' - he removed by the atonement."

Vincent Word Studies: "Bare (ἐβάστασεν) This translation is correct. The word does not mean 'he took away,' but 'he bore,' as a burden laid upon him.1 

     

Isaiah 53 is also cited in 1 Peter 2:19-25. Vendredi claims this passage refers to the Moral Exemplar Model (the Moral-Example Theory proposed by Pelagius). Pelagius (354-420 AD) was condemned as a heretic due to his alleged denial of the sinful condition of mankind and his assertion that sinless perfection was attainable. Jesus' suffering did of course leave us a powerful example. However, the Moral-Example Theory, taken in isolation is inadequate and fails to acknowledge the vicarious aspect of Jesus' death. The death of Jesus Christ has far deeper significance. A moral exemplar cannot die for our sins. (Mathew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6). 

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19-25).

Vendredi: "It is an abomination for the righteous to suffer for the unrighteous. (Proverbs 17:15,26,24:24)." Ultimately God's mercy prevails over judgement. (James 2:13). Jesus laid down His own life voluntarily, it was not taken from Him. (John 10:18). The heart of the gospel is the call for sinners to repent and trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. (1 Peter 3:18; John 15:13). Without the cross there is no mechanism for the remission of sin because sin cannot go unpunished. The Book of Proverbs embodies practical and speculative wisdom about the world. Proverbs does not address God's solution for the deep sin problem that plagues humanity.

14. On the cross, Christ becomes literal sin and a literal curse. (Appeasement School)

It is important to note that there are different understandings of PSA within Western Christianity. No doubt we all agree with the main tenets of PSA: Christ died on the cross as a substitute for sinners; God imputed the guilt of our sins to Christ and he bore the punishment that we deserve. However, there are differences in specifics even within the Reformed camp itself. 

Vendredi's objection: Given the testimony of the scriptures, it is impossible to reconcile God's holy and unchanging nature with the assertion that Jesus became a literal curse and literal sin. (Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 13:8). 

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:10-14; cf Deuteronomy 21:23).

Having become a curse for us: Jesus became cursed on our behalf; He stood in our place and took upon Himself the curse we deserved. 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The teaching that Jesus became "literal sin" is promoted by RC Sproul, John MacArthur and others. However, a number of expositors take a different view. Expressions such as: Jesus was clothed with mankind's sin; mankind's sin was imputed to Him; Jesus identified with man's sin; Jesus was the representative of sin; sin-bearer (vicariously); Jesus became sin in the abstract i.e. the penalties of sin were laid on Christ on our behalf.2

Cambridge: "He made Him to be sin, i.e. appointed Him to be the representative of sin and sinners, treated Him as sin and sinners are treated (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15). He took on Himself to be the representative of Humanity in its aspect of sinfulness (cf. Romans 8:3; Php 2:7) and to bear the burden of sin in all its completeness. Hence He won the right to represent Humanity in all respects, and hence we are entitled to be regarded as God’s righteousness (which He was) not in ourselves, but in Him as our representative in all things."2

Ellicott: forensic theories of the atonement, of various types, might be and have been developed. It is characteristic of St. Paul that he does not so develop it. Christ identified with man’s sin: mankind identified with Christ’s righteousness—that is the truth, simple and yet unfathomable, in which he is content to rest.2

Vincent Word Studies: "Not a sin-offering, nor a sinner, but the representative of sin. On Him, representatively, fell the collective consequence of sin, in His enduring 'the contradiction of sinners against Himself' Hebrews 12:3), in His agony in the garden, and in His death on the cross."2

Problematically, those who over-develop Galatians 3:13 go too far and end up with grotesque portrayals of Jesus Christ such as those depicted in the RC Sproul clips presented by Vendredi. (18:00 mark)

15. God's eyes are too holy to look upon sin, so the Father turns his back on Christ, abandoning him. (Appeasement School)

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (Matthew 27:45-50 cf. Psalm 22:1).

Matthew 27:46 is a quotation from Psalm 22:1. The entire psalm speaks of unequaled spiritual struggle and is a clear reference to the crucifixion. Based on Psalm 22:24, it is difficult to agree with MacArthur and others who teach the doctrine of divine abandonment i.e. the doctrine that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the cross.3  ..and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. Immediately afterward, Jesus cried out what are believed to be His last words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46). If the Father had intervened and delivered Jesus from the cross, then the entire plan of salvation would have been compromised. I do not doubt that the crucifixion was unimaginably painful not only for the Son, but also for the Father, who held back and allowed His Son to suffer.  

The arguments presented by Vendredi and McGrew against PSA are a direct attack on the gospel. McGrew describes Idol Killer as "A ministry dedicated to the cause of destroying sacred cows for the cause of Christ". As I have progressed through this series I have become increasingly convinced that Idol Killer is a ministry dedicated to destroying the gospel!

1. Matthew 8:17 Commentaries: This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES." (biblehub.com)
2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Commentaries: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (biblehub.com)
3. The Doctrine of Divine Abandonment (gty.org)

WARREN MCGREW (IDOL KILLER): PENAL SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT (5)

Only The Blood of a Godman - PSA Examined (youtube.com)

This is the fifth in a series of seven videos in which Warren McGrew and Paul Vendredi refute the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). They attribute PSA primarily to Augustine of Hippo (AD354-430), followed by Anselm of Canterbury (AD 1033-1109), and the 16th-century Reformers.  

The first seven PSA claims (see previous posts).

1. Adam as mankind's federal head transmits the guilt of his sin to all mankind. (Anselm)
2. Because of Original Sin mankind is now totally depraved. (Anselm)
3. Even Infants, innocent of personal sin, are guilty of Original Sin. (Anslem)
4. The sin of Adam infinitely offends God because the gravity of the offense depends on the worth of the one offended. (Anselm)
5. All sin is to be understood as a debt we owe God for the crime of having dishonored him. (Anselm) 6. Even Infants owe this debt. (Anslem)
7. In the Old Testament era, God insists that this debt be paid by shedding an innocent animal's blood. 

8. God could have redeemed man by the simple act of willing it.. (?)

Vendredi: "Claim number 8 tells us God could have cancelled mankind's debt by any means He had chosen to. The big proof text is Psalm 135:6: 'Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and in all deep places.'"

Not for the first time, Vendredi misquotes and misrepresents the source material he allegedly quotes from. It is my contention that claim 8 does not exist within Anselm's Cur Deus Homo. In his dialogue with his foil Boso in Chapter XII Anselm introduces the concept: "Whether it were proper for God to put away sins by compassion alone, without any payment of debt." Anselm does not quote Psalm 135:6, nor does he entertain the idea that God could have cancelled mankind's debt by the simple act of willing it. His answer is unequivocal.. "It is not proper for God to pass over sin unpunished." 

Anselm. Let us return and consider whether it were proper for God to put away sins by compassion alone, without any payment of the honor taken from him. 

Boso. I do not see why it is not proper. 

Anselm. To remit sin in this manner is nothing else than not to punish; and since it is not right to cancel sin without compensation or punishment; if it be not punished, then is it passed by undischarged. 

Boso. What you say is reasonable. 

Anselm. It is not fitting for God to pass over anything in his kingdom undischarged. Boso. If I wish to oppose this, I fear to sin. Anselm. It is, therefore, not proper for God thus to pass over sin unpunished.."1  

Fictitious claim number 8 gives Vendredi a suitable backdrop for his presentation of the "Restored Icon Model" i.e. the scenario that God has indeed freely forgiven mankind without penal substitution, allegedly taught by Gregory of Nazianzus. 

Vendredi describes the restored icon model as follows:

"God created humankind as an immortal icon of Himself, but Satan smashes the icon thereby destroying our immortality. According to Nazianzus, the second person of the Trinity becomes incarnate in the man Jesus of Nazareth, and in that hypostatic union, He unites to His divinity all the shattered pieces of the mosaic. In other words, He takes all the components of our human nature and attaches it to the divinity thereby restoring the restored icon.. The human nature has to be united to the divine nature to be healed as well..  the human nature is mortal.. So Christ has to come and He has to attach our mortal nature to Himself. So He takes death unto Himself.. Hebrews 2:14-15 - Death is the work of the devil. That was his destruction of the icon.. also in 1 John 3:8.. Jesus of Nazareth is a hypostatic union of a divine will and a human will. That seems to be indicated in Matthew 26:39 when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane.."

Vendredi's selection bias comes into play yet again. Critically, Vendredi fails to point out that Gregory of Nazianzus also stated that Christ's submission to the Father's will involved taking the form of a servant, bearing our sins, and ultimately redeeming us. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 30, paragraph 5-6: "as for my sake He was called a curse, Who destroyed my curse; and sin, who takes away the sin of the world; and became a new Adam to take the place of the old, just so He makes my disobedience His own as Head of the whole body. As long then as I am disobedient and rebellious, both by denial of God and by my passions, so long Christ also is called disobedient on my account.."2 

Themelios: "Writing in the fourth century, Gregory of Nazianzus16—again, a giant in the defense of orthodoxy frequently labelled the Trinitarian theologian17—was a staunch proponent of ransom language when discussing Christ’s atonement yet distanced himself from the view that his sacrifice was a price paid to Satan.3  

Vendredi draws attention to William Lane Craig's model of the hypostatic union which is the denial of Jesus’ possession of both a human soul and a human will. These are the heresies of Monothelitism and 

Apollinarianism. While Craig is an influential proponent of PSA, there are significant problems associated with his theology that I was unaware of when I quoted him in my previous post.* The concept of Christ’s humanity is profound and central to Christian theology. The orthodox doctrine of the hypostatic union was adopted by the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The creed asserted two distinct natures, human and divine, and affirmed the one person of Jesus Christ.4 I fully endorse this doctrine based on a number of scriptures, including Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: "..nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 cf. Luke 22:42; John 1:1; 5:30; John 6:38; Hebrews 4:15 vs James 1:13. Orthodox soteriology depends on the belief that Christ had to become fully human to share his full divinity with humanity. Jesus is the Word incarnate: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.. (John 1:14). 

Vendredi and McGrew lost no time in seizing the opportunity made by Craig's heresy to take a further swipe at PSA. 

Vendredi: "Frankly, if you believe in PSA, the fine details of the hyperstatic union matter not at all.. All that matters is that Jesus had a physical body with blood in it so that God the Father in his wrath can spill the blood..  In PSA, Jesus of Nazareth is really nothing more than a bag of blood that is stapled to the second person of the Trinity."  

McGrew: "In PSA it really seems to me that the incarnation has hardly any meaning or merit to it other than just to make a bloody piñata.."   

These horrible depictions of the crucifixion do not reflect the true picture of PSA, and as far as I know, those who teach PSA do not hold such views. The suffering of Jesus Christ in the flesh is a crucial part of the atonement that prompts our sense of wonder and gratitude. 

Vendredi: "His human blood is like ours, it's a blood that has been fused to divinity but it's not magic. Its not supernatural, it is human blood just like His body is a human body. We are saved precisely because Jesus had human blood.."

For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. (Leviticus 17:14). Jesus was fully human and yet he was without sin. (1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). However, there was something different about Jesus' blood. Unless we destroy the doctrine of the virgin birth, we must acknowledge that Jesus was conceived by/through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18-25). Jesus' blood type is the subject of much debate and speculation given that we all inherit our genetic blood type from both our parents. Jesus' unique blood type is therefore a matter of great significance theologically. Jesus Himself referred to the importance of his blood in the institution of the Lord's Supper, stating that his blood is "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

Family Education: "ABO blood type is an inherited trait. Each person carries two genes, or alleles, for this trait. One ABO allele is inherited from the father, and the other is inherited from the mother. Therefore, both parents influence the blood group of their baby."5 

After His resurrection, Jesus' body consisted of "flesh and bones". (Luke 24:39). There is no blood in Jesus' body presently because His blood was poured out for our sins upon the cross. Note that animal sacrifices were drained of blood, and the consumption of blood was forbidden in the Old Testament. (Leviticus 3:17,7:26,17:10-14; Deuteronomy 12:15-16,20-24. The prohibition of blood is a universal precept that was enjoined not only upon Israel, but it was prohibited before the Mosaic Law. The consumption of blood is also prohibited in the New Testament. (Genesis 9:4 cf. Acts 15:20,21:25).6  It is reasonable to conclude that Jesus' blood was quite literally the currency that made atonement for sin. Anyone who claims that Jesus' blood is not special is in error.   

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22).

9. ...but God cannot forgive sin without first punishing the sinner.

Having debunked Vendredi's claim 8 as non-existent within Cur Deus Homo, the correct view is that claim 9 reflects Anselm's original and unequivocal position: "It is not proper for God to pass over sin unpunished." 

Vendredi: "If you can't forgive someone until you first punish him, and if you can't forgive a debt unless you first collect the debt elsewhere then it's not forgiveness." 

Vendredi's proof texts are three parables: the two debtors (Luke 7:41-42), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), and the unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:23-34).

Vendredi's claim that the above parables destroy the notion of forgiveness is a further example of his selection bias. (Proverbs 11:3). In each of the parables above, sinners are freely forgiven, with the proviso that the person forgiven practices mercy towards others. (Matthew 6:15). In the case of the prodigal son, the Father had already suffered a substantial loss. God doesn't punish the sinner, He pays Himself through the God-man Jesus Christ. Parables were a powerful teaching method employed by Jesus to convey different aspects of spiritual truth. These short, fictitious stories wrap deep meanings in everyday scenarios, making complex ideas accessible. When we quote alleged proof texts selectively the inevitable result is inaccuracy. The truth is determined by considering all the scriptures, not selective parts of it. The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160).

And the Word {Jesus Christ} became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:1,14).

He himself [Jesus Christ] bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24).

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.. (1 Peter 3:18).

McGrew brings another example that allegedly denies PSA: Isaiah 55:7 ..let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  McGrew: "There is no debt collection, there is no alternative source - it is simply 'come and be forgiven'. Scripture doesn't say that some other innocent man, the righteous man would have to bear his burden for him.."  At the time of the crucifixion, the sacrificial system was in place in which the blood of animals made atonement for sins. (see my previous post). Isolated verses held up as proof texts fail to take into account the whole counsel of God.. (Acts 20:27).

Between them, McGrew and Vendredi demolish the very gospel itself with these perverse points.

10. Not only must the redemption mirror the fall, but it must also be as painful as possible since the fall was easy.

Vendredi breaks down Anselm's tenth claim into two clauses:

Clause 1: The atonement must mirror the fall and must be as painful as possible because the fall in the Garden of Eden was as easy as possible. 

Clause 2: Therefore since the fall at the knowledge of good and evil was so easy, the atonement at the cross of Christ must be as painful as possible.  

Anselm: "If man sinned with ease, is it not fitting for him to atone with difficulty? And if he was overcome by the devil in the easiest manner possible, so as to dishonor God by sinning against him, is it not right that man, in making satisfaction for his sin, should honor God by conquering the devil with the greatest possible difficulty? Is it not proper that, since man has departed from God as far as possible in his sin, he should make to God the greatest possible satisfaction?"7 

The ease with which Adam and Eve sinned compared with the difficulty of the cross is arguably the wrong focus. Jesus Christ the God-man came to address the massive repercussions of the fall. The scriptures juxtapose Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience. (Romans 5:19-21). Adam was not deceived; he sinned knowing the magnitude of the sin he was committing. (Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:14). Anselm's tenth claim is not biblical and does not determine the doctrine of PSA. Believers are not called to theorize. (1 John 4:1).

11. Only the death of God-man is worthy to serve as a recompense to God for his offended honor.

Vendredi: "This is the claim of propitiation.. the only commodity viable enough to recompense God for his offended honour and to render Him finally once and for all propitious toward mankind is the shed blood of a God-man." 

Proof text:  ..whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:25 cf. 1 John 2:2,4:10). 

Vendredi's definition of atonement  "..to take some one who is not well disposed toward you and make him well disposed toward you by means of atonement." This definition is correct as far as it goes, but it conveniently excludes the specific biblical definition. 

Strongs definition: "ἱλαστήριον (a) a sin offering, by which the wrath of the deity shall be appeased; a means of propitiation, (b) the covering of the ark, which was sprinkled with the atoning blood on the Day of Atonement."8 

Vendredi: " How do you translate ἱλαστήριον as atonement, as propitiation or mercy seat.?"    

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). This verse does not mention atonement and Vendredi quotes it to deny propitiation and suggests that Jesus is our mercy seat without propitiation.

Vendredi: "God the Father sent God the Son because God the Father was already propitiously inclined toward us.. If God  sent His Son because He already loved us then He doesn't need propitiation. 

The obvious flaw in Vendredi's argument is that the mercy seat was sprinkled with atoning blood on the Day of Atonement. Romans 3:24-25 is an allusion to the mercy seat which was a type of Jesus Christ. There is no escaping the fact that blood is necessary for atonement in both the Old and New Testamens. (Hebrews 9:22).

And he [Aaron] shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. (Leviticus 16:14-16).

12. Christ becomes incarnate so his humanity can suffer as a substitute for us.

Vendredi "The Son of God becomes incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth so that His human nature can suffer and die as our substitute." 

Vendredi claims a contradiction between the following two verses of scripture. 

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.. (1 Peter 3:18).

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32).

Vendredi: "If God for Christ's sake forgave us by wacking Christ, and if we are supposed to forgive the way God did, then that means that before we can prefer forgiveness to someone we first have to wack an innocent party.. How can finite human nature pay off an infinite debt?" 

This is perverse reasoning and is similar to the straw man arguments and misrepresentations of the atonement by those who propagate the myth of redemptive violence. Those who deny PSA are committing slander against God Himself since they deny His justice and righteousness. The cross demonstrates God's mercy and forgiveness without compromising His holiness. 

Jerry Shepherd: "The movement which is currently masquerading as 'The' cruciform hermeneutic has actually abandoned reading the entirety of Scripture through a Christocentric and cruciform lens. Two of its main tenets are that (1) God is completely nonviolent, and (2) the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement is untrue because that would imply there is violence in God. However, unlike previous Christological and crucicentric readers, it fails to deal with the entirety of Scripture, and it fails to deal with the whole Christ, the totus Christus. It claims to be reading Scripture through the lens of Christ and through the cross of Christ, but it fails on both counts, because it does not deal with the entirety of what Christ said and did, or with the entirety of what Scripture says this Christ will do. It fails to deal in any responsible way with the many places in which Christ himself talks about the retributive judgment of God, and eliminates any reference in Christ’s words to any kind of violent action by God, only by employing special pleading, bizarre and highly implausible readings, and twisting Christ’s words beyond the bounds of any proper responsible hermeneutic. Furthermore, it seriously truncates the meaning of the cross of Christ, which is not only a means of redemption, but also serves as a criterion of judgment."9  

The infinite nature of the God-man Jesus Christ enabled Him to pay the infinite penalty owed by sinful humanity. The heart of the gospel lies in the unique aspect of Jesus' nature being fully human and fully divine. Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross was not a mere human death at the hands of the Romans.

1. ST (saintsbooks.net) Chapter XI, p27.
2. Atonement Sources EC Gregory of Nazianzus — The Anástasis Center (anastasiscenter.org)
3. Appeasement of a Monster God? A Historical and Biblical Analysis of Penal Substitutionary Atonement - The Gospel Coalition
4. Two natures of Jesus | Theopedia
5. What Blood Type Will My Baby Have? A Genetic Explanation - FamilyEducation
6. Blood (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)
7. ST (saintsbooks.net) Chapter XI, p67.
8. Strong's Greek: 2435. ἱλαστήριον (hilastérion) -- propitiatory (biblehub.com)
9. There Is No Such Thing as “The” Cruciform Hermeneutic | The Recapitulator

Further Links

Appeasement of a Monster God? A Historical and Biblical Analysis of Penal Substitutionary Atonement - The Gospel Coalition
*William Lane Craigs 3 most dangerous teachings , part 2 (youtube.com)