Penal substitution does not turn God into a cosmic child abuser. It does not reduce Christ to the passive victim of some divine injustice. It does not pit the Trinity against itself. No, in the God-forsakenness of Christ on the cross, the love of God and the justice of God are revealed on our behalf. United in purpose, Father and Son act in concert to save God’s people. The sinless Son of God bears our sin, and then God pours out the wrath that our sin deserves, and Jesus the Son endures it so that we, who deserve that wrath, might never encounter it. This is the gospel, the good news of the cross, and it calls us to forsake our sin, to turn away from it and embrace Christ, the forsaken one, so that we may not be forsaken.
— Michael Lawrence (b. 1966), Pastor, Theologe und Autor
Topics: Grace & Redemption, God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Guilt & Forgiveness
Occasions: For Reflection
Michael Lawrence
Michael Lawrence (* 1966) ist ein US-amerikanischer reformiert-baptistischer Theologe und Pastor, der nach langjährigem Dienst in Washington, D.C., seit 2010 die Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon, leitet. Er steht in Verbindung mit Netzwerken wie The Gospel Coalition und 9Marks für das Anliegen, akademisch fundierte biblische Theologie für die praktische Gemeindearbeit und Seelsorge nutzbar zu machen. Für Bibelleser bietet er Orientierung darin, die gesamte Heilige Schrift als zusammenhängende, auf Jesus Christus ausgerichtete Heilsgeschichte zu verstehen.
All quotes by Michael Lawrence (18)
It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was love.
Max Lucado
Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.
Philip Yancey
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller