Help with "penal substition" .

[Wesley7]

I tried several times to explain the traditional understanding of the Crucifixion event but it always ended up being called “penal substitution” . .

Not sure why

 

[MikeDunphy]

You might find something helpful in this Catholic Encyclopedia article on the Doctrine of the Atonement.

 

[Wesley7]

Thanks . . so ‘Penal Substitution’ is Catholic doctrine of the Atonement.

 

[Ghosty]

No, penal substitution is something different from Catholic teaching. Penal substitution is the idea that Christ bore the punishment for all sins, that there is nothing left of this punishment. Catholic belief is quite different.

Peace and God bless!

 

[Wesley7]

Is “Penal Substitution” a Protestant understanding of the Crucifixion event? . .

 

[Ghosty]

Is “Penal Substitution” a Protestant understanding of the Crucifixion event? . .

Yes.

In Catholic understanding the “penalty” is not eliminated by Christ’s Crucifixion. What’s more, the Crucifixion wasn’t strictly necessary in Catholic understanding, but was rather a fitting Sacrifice. Atonement could have happened in any way, even simply by Divine fiat, but God chose to atone through the Crucifixion.

Peace and God bless!