Episode

277

Yes, the Early Church Taught Penal Substitutionary Atonement

July 24, 2025

Yes, the Early Church Taught Penal Substitutionary Atonement

It is often argued that the early church did not teach penal substitutionary atonement, but rather taught Christus Victor. Dean Taylor argues that penal substitutionary atonement thinking was present in the texts of early Christian writers such as Origen, Eusebius, and Chrysostom alongside Christus Victor teachings. Dean believes that Anabaptists have misunderstood the early church position on the atonement. He makes a case that the early church taught penal substitutionary atonement. Dean wrote a related essay which you can read here.

Christus Victor by Gustaf Aulén

The Nonviolent Atonement by J. Denny Weaver

Origen: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Books 1-5

Commentary on Isaiah by Eusebius of Caesarea

Episode Guest Info

Dean Taylor

Dean Taylor is a writer and traveling Bible teacher, as well as the author of “A Change of Allegiance”. He and his wife, Tania, are members of Altona Christian Community in Henderson, Minnesota.

Read More

Episode Host

Reagan Schrock

Reagan is a member of Wellspring Mennonite Church and lives with his wife Patricia in southeast Tennessee. Reagan, along with Jaran, started Anabaptist Perspectives in 2017, and serves in leadership in the organization, in addition to being deeply involved in overseas missions work.

Read More

Leave a Reply

“Using digital media to encourage allegiance to Jesus’ sacrificial kingdom.”

Privacy Policy and Site Terms