Like a lot of people, I object to the Penal Substitution theory of the Atonement. The idea that God punished Jesus for the sins of everyone else is not only a bad picture of God, but it is also unbiblical. More on that another time.
My more-theologically-correct-than-thou attitude ran into a significant challenge, however, when I found myself counseling someone who grew up in a fundamentalist church that taught that even believers were constantly in danger of being sent to hell for their sins. When that way of thinking is combined with severe clinical depression and anxiety, the result is extremely toxic.
As we prayed and talked together I found myself assuring my friend that Jesus had already borne the punishment for all of us and that fact is the basis for our salvation.
I'm not sure that the other person was helped significantly, but it was a needed reminder to me that God is not impressed with my theological sophistication.
My more-theologically-correct-than-thou attitude ran into a significant challenge, however, when I found myself counseling someone who grew up in a fundamentalist church that taught that even believers were constantly in danger of being sent to hell for their sins. When that way of thinking is combined with severe clinical depression and anxiety, the result is extremely toxic.
As we prayed and talked together I found myself assuring my friend that Jesus had already borne the punishment for all of us and that fact is the basis for our salvation.
I'm not sure that the other person was helped significantly, but it was a needed reminder to me that God is not impressed with my theological sophistication.