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.

Atonement Quote unknown_fr_joseph_sakkab_2017_dean_of_the_prairie_be80ce4e

The intensity of the story [of Gideon] builds up rapidly as the Angel of the Lord extended the end of the staff that was in His hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire rose out of the rock and consumed it all, as a token that it was accepted. Then the Angel of the Lord (Adonai) departed out of his sight. Notice that the young goat was consumed as a burnt offering to show what the sinner deserves. The fire that came out of this rock is an emblem of the justice which demands satisfaction for sin. At the same time it turns the offering into a sweet savor acceptable to our merciful God. In this manifestation we recognize the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ, by whose atonement we are reconciled to God (Heb. 3:1).

Fr. Joseph Sakkab (+2017) Dean of the Prairie Deanery, "A God of Peace and Man of Valor: Christ's Manifestations in the Old Testament", The Word magazine, October 2000, p. 8

Twentieth Century