Perichoresis and Patripassianism

by Peter J. Leithart

Given the unity of the Persons of God, all of God suffers for the sake of the world. Continue Reading »

22 Jul 2014

Storied Theory

by Peter J. Leithart

Atonement theories, whether built on Old or New Testaments, tend to ignore the narrative context that gives the atonement meaning. Continue Reading »

20 May 2014

Levitical Atonement

by Peter J. Leithart

The Levitical system of sacrifice cannot be wholly explained without penal substitution. But can it be explained without it? Continue Reading »

20 May 2014

Spiritualization?

by Peter J. Leithart

Religions can be said to “spiritualize” sacrifice only if sacrifice was originally “non-spiritual.” Continue Reading »

19 May 2014

Identification for Incorporation

by Peter J. Leithart

Substitution is necessary but not sufficient for a biblical understanding of atonement. Continue Reading »

16 May 2014

God Reconciles Us

by Peter J. Leithart

God reconciles us to Himself. Why would we need reconciliation in the first place? Continue Reading »

16 May 2014

The Cross in History

by Peter J. Leithart

Which discourse matters in atonement theology? Continue Reading »

15 May 2014

Not the Foundation

by Peter J. Leithart

Recent writers have emphasized the communal telos of the atonement: Jesus died to found a community. That disrupts some traditional atonement theories more than has been recognized. Continue Reading »

15 May 2014

Atonement Theory

by Peter J. Leithart

Classic atonement theories have looked past the gospel narratives in an effort to uncover the underlying substructure, logic or mechanism of atonement.What if the gospel narratives are the atonement theory? What if, instead of God’s offended honor or God’s reputation for just rule, we . . . . Continue Reading »

10 Apr 2014

Girard v. Genesis

by Peter J. Leithart

Over many decades and in voluminous writings, René Girard has elaborated a theory of sacrifice, scapegoating, and violence that purports to unveil things hidden from the foundations of the world. He has become a guru, not least to Christian theologians eager to formulate non-violent versions of . . . . Continue Reading »

14 Mar 2014