Reasonable Faith Podcast Scholars Scuffle Over the Atonement Part Two
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Jan 26, 2026 Max Botner, a scholarly critic of penal substitution in atonement studies, joins a lively debate. They clash over substitution versus participation and whether Levitical sacrifices imply vicarious punishment. The discussion dives into Isaiah 53, hand‑laying rituals, and how representation and substitution might coexist in Christ.
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Substitution And Participation Can Coexist
- William Lane Craig argues substitution and participation can coexist when Christ functions as our proxy before God.
- He calls Christ a substitutional representative combining substitution and participation motifs.
Concrete Analogies Clarify Theological Roles
- Craig illustrates substitution versus representation with concrete analogies like pinch hitters, agents, and proxies to clarify theological roles.
- He uses the proxy example to show a person can both stand in place of and vote on behalf of another.
Rillera Says Substitution Precludes Participation
- Craig cites Rillera's claim that "Substitution, by definition, precludes any sort of participation."
- He points to Rillera's rejection of Christ as substitute because New Testament participation appears to disallow substitution.
