Rethinking the Atonement and the Meaning of Sacrifice | Dr. David Moffitt Artwork

Gospel Simplicity Podcast

The Gospel Simplicity Podcast is centered around the conviction that the gospel is really good news. Here you will find conversations with Christians from various traditions as we seek to unpack the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel. Gospel Simplicity is known for ecumenical dialogue that is charitable and open to learning from people with whom you might disagree. We believe that God desires for his Church to be one, united in love for God and neighbor, and on mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people.

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Gospel Simplicity Podcast

Rethinking the Atonement and the Meaning of Sacrifice | Dr. David Moffitt

April 21, 2026 • Austin Suggs

0:00 | 1:03:08

In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. David Moffitt, one of the world's leading experts on the atonement and the book of Hebrews. We discuss how the ascension is a critical, yet overlooked, part of Christ's atoning work, how misunderstanding Jewish sacrifice causes us to misunderstand the cross, and why Hebrews is every bit as important as Romans for understanding the atonement.

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About the Guest: Dr. David Moffitt’s research focuses on the variety of ways the earliest Christians understood Jesus and their own identities in relation to Jewish scripture, practices, and beliefs. His core areas of ongoing research concern the Epistle to the Hebrews, the ways this early Christian sermon develops claims about Jesus’s person in high-priestly and sacrificial terms, and ancient practices of and beliefs about sacrifice. Beyond Hebrews, Prof. Moffitt has particular interests in the ways the early Christian confession of Jesus’s resurrection and ascension influence the theologies of the various books of the New Testament. Learn more: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/people/dm206/

00:00 Introduction to Atonement and Hebrews
04:19 The Role of Hebrews in Atonement Discussions
10:47 Broad vs. Narrow Understanding of Atonement
16:17 The Significance of the Ascension in Atonement
26:35 Ongoing Ministry of Christ and Its Implications
31:41 The Significance of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
36:41 Early Church Fathers and the Interpretation of Hebrews
41:02 Understanding Sacrifice in the Context of Atonement
50:21 The Multifaceted Nature of Atonement
59:50 The Ongoing Intercession of Christ

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