Update January 15, 2019: I explained this meme's meaning on twitter, after several people asked about it. Click on the following tweet and read the thread.
Penal Substitutionary Atonement (#PSA) is an Atonement Theory The was formulated in the post-reformation period, and was developed from Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory. There are many atonement theories, but often #PSA is wrongly believed to be the one and only biblical position.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
#PSA’s distinctive difference is that atonement is specifically achieved by making a sacrifice to god to appease god’s wrath. Is god who is angry, and must be placated by the sacrifice of his own child.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
The penal aspect of it has some strength especially when sin is seen as a debt to be repaid to god, but some personal sins like sexual abuse cannot be made right by another person paying a fee.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
The theory has some serious problems because as Hans Urs Von Balthasar said, it causes god to have solidarity with violence, and this calls into question the goodness of god.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
The meme in the OP raises the question whether #PSA is any different than child sacrifice to Baal exemplified throughout the Bible.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
For instance 2 Kings 3:27 NRSV “Then he took his firstborn son who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. And great wrath came upon Israel, so they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.”
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
Notice that the pagan king sacrifices his son and heir to the throne to placate god, and the result is they win the battle against the Israelites. There are other instances too.
— PostBarthian (@postbarthian) January 15, 2019
Related: meme, moloch, penal substitutionary atonement
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