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.

PHILARET OF MOSCOW on the Atonement

Walk the path that the torn veil of mysteries reveals to you; enter into the inner sanctuary of the sufferings of Jesus, leaving behind you the outer court, given over to the nations to trample. What's there? Nothing but the holy and blessed love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit for the sinful and wretched human race. The love of the Father -- crucifying. The love of the Son -- crucified. The love of the Spirit -- triumphing through the power of the cross. God so loved the world (John 3:16)!

PHILARET OF MOSCOW

id., another Homily on Holy Friday, delivered at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg on Holy Friday, 1816

Nineteenth Century