Evangelical Alliance Ease Theology Tensions at Atonement Symposium

The Evangelical Alliance UK and the London School of Theology recently jointly held an Atonement Symposium earlier this month on 6-8 July, and the event attracted more than 200 attendants.

The quality of the papers delivered, pleased the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK) who described the event as a whole as being fruitful and enjoyable for all.

The second day of the meeting did see tragedy take place though as the 7/7 London bombings took place. The EAUK stated in its release, "On the second day of our meeting, we were deeply shocked to hear about the terrorist bombings in central London. While it might have seemed that our scholarly deliberations were far removed from these atrocities, we were led in our worship and dialogue together to remember that in his death Christ bore all the pain, terror and sin of the world, and in his resurrection offered hope in the face of evil, death and despair."

However, as the symposium continued it became obvious to all that there were greatly varied opinions on the precise formulation of atonement theology, and in particular on penal substitution theory of atonement.

Not wanting to seek to gloss over the differences in opinions, the EAUK went deep into the theological substance behind the meaning of the cross.

At the gathering, "Steve Chalke acknowledged that much of his own widely-reported opposition to penal substitution had been provoked by the crude and distorted, but still popular, versions of the theory often taught in our churches. We also note that he challenged its more sophisticated proponents to avoid association with the image of a vengeful father wreaking punishment on an innocent son—which, he claimed, has distorted our culture’s understanding of God," said an EAUK release.

The continuing problem on the issue for evangelicals was highlighted even more however, after Joel Green, Graham McFarlane, Steve Motyer, Stuart Murray Williams and Lynnette Mullings, in addition to Steve Chalke presented their critiques on penal substitution.

The Head of Theology, David Hilborn stated that "penal substitution was taken to be implicit in the Alliance Basis of Faith by those who drafted it in 1970."

Hilborn went on to explain that this 1970 Basis of Faith has been in the process of being revised for many years now and the new Basis will be incorporated into the EAUK’s constitution in September 2005.

"The wording of the new Basis, is similar in style and substance to that of the 1970 version: having acknowledged the wrath of God against sin, the new text goes on to affirm ‘the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God’. As with the previous text, the words ‘penal’ or ‘penalty’ themselves might not occur here," said Dr Hilborn, but the main elements of penal substitution were still implied, and would no doubt be viewed as such by the majority of Alliance members.

Summing up the symposium, the Alliance’s General Director, Joel Edwards, said: "Penal substitution is still central for most British evangelicals’ understanding of the cross, and the Alliance’s own ethos reflects that. However, there is an extent to which the exact mechanics of the atonement must remain a mystery to us in our limited, sinful perception.

"We are very pleased that this symposium has done so much to deepen understanding of the cross of Christ, but we recognise that study and discussion on this vital matter must continue. In particular, we welcome the fact that both Steve Chalke and Alan Mann affirmed their willingness to continue creative engagement with penal substitutionary atonement, and to work alongside its proponents in the cause of the gospel. In the spirit of the symposium, we hope that others will continue to listen to their concerns."

Steve Chalke added, "My concern has never been with labels but rather content—indeed my book does not mention Penal Substitution but does reject the crass and crude representation of atonement as the outcome of an angry Father divided against his innocent Son. I applaud Professor Howard Marshall and others for so clearly distancing themselves from this dangerous misrepresentation. The task now facing us as preachers, evangelists and song writers is to be just as explicit as we do the same."

In conclusion, Derek Tidball, Principal of London School of Theology and Chair of the Alliance’s Council, said: "The Evangelical Alliance is uniquely placed to facilitate this debate, and it has been good to work together on this symposium. London School of Theology looks forward to continuing the partnership as we seek with our fellow evangelicals to understand how best to ‘preach Christ crucified’."