What did the early church believe about the atonement? David Bercot takes us through the early church writers to show that they didn’t think of the atonement through the same frameworks we have about the atonement. David explains that the ante-Nicene Fathers did not teach penal substitutionary atonement (PSA); rather, PSA is a modern interpretation read back into the original texts.

Our episode with Dean Taylor

David Bercot’s series on the atonement

Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs

Christus Victor: An Historical Study of the Three Main Types of the Idea of Atonement

Orthodox Study Bible with the Septuagint

This is the 295th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.

Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which contains new and featured content!

Join us on Patreon or become a website partner to enjoy bonus content!

Visit our YouTube channel or connect on Facebook.

Read essays from our blog or listen to them on our podcast, Essays for King Jesus

Subscribe on your podcast provider of choice

Support us or learn more at anabaptistperspectives.org.

The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.

No, the Early Church Did Not Teach Penal Substitutionary Atonement - David Bercot

Anabaptist Perspectives

Christus Victor is one motif among many

The AI-powered Podcast Player