What is the Orthodox Christian view on the atonement and is Penal Substitutionary Atonement Orthodox?

The patristic and biblical quotes in this collection reveal what Orthodox Christians actually teach about the atonement, debunking prevailing myths. The quotes show multiple biblical and patristic perspectives: Christ as 'ransom for all' (1 Tim 2:6), 'triumphing over' principalities and powers (Col 2:15), and the 'sweet exchange' where 'the iniquity of many should be concealed in One Righteous Man, and the righteousness of One should justify many that are iniquitous' (St. Athanasius). Rather than modern theories, the Church Fathers emphasize Christ taking 'upon Himself our sins' as 'a ransom for us, holy for lawless, guileless for evil, just for the unjust' (St. Athanasius). These truthful quotes help debunk misconceptions about what the Orthodox Church has historically taught about the atonement.

The quotes in this collection help debunk myths by showing the actual range of patristic and biblical teaching on atonement. Some emphasize Christ bearing our sins ('he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin' - 2 Cor 5:21), others focus on propitiation ('he is propitiation for our sins' - 1 John 2:2), while others highlight Christ as a ransom or victory over death. By presenting both substitutionary language and themes of divine wrath directly from the sources, this collection helps readers distinguish between prevailing myths and what the Church Fathers actually teach.

JEROME OF STRIDON on the Atonement

Now which is the more shameful and humiliating, to be subject to the Father… or to be crucified and made the curse of the cross? For cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree (Galatians 3:13). If Christ then for our sakes was made a curse that He might deliver us from the curse of the law, are you surprised that He is also for our sakes subject to the Father to make us, too, subject to Him as He says in the gospel: No man comes unto the Father but by me (John 14:6), and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me (John 12:32). Christ then is subject to the Father in the faithful.

JEROME OF STRIDON

St. Jerome of Stridon (+420), Letter 55, to Amandus

Fifth Century