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.

THEODORET OF CYRRHUS on the Atonement

Suddenly an angel appeared to David advancing on Jerusalem, with a drawn sword, so that he would ask for forgiveness. The very words of the king are worthy of admiration. For he says: Lo, I have sinned, I the shepherd have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house. (II Kgdms. 24:17). David, not knowing the reason, called what had happened his own sin and begged him to pronounce a true sentence upon him and on his family, expressing himself as a true shepherd and imitating his Son and the Lord, who laid down His life for the sheep.

THEODORET OF CYRRHUS

Blessed Theodoret (+457), Commentary on II Kingdoms

Fifth Century