076 – Keith Giles and the Atonement of Christ

The Bible Speaks to You: Think, Pray, Love like Jesus

The Bible Speaks to You: Think, Pray, Love like Jesus
076 – Keith Giles and the Atonement of Christ
Mar 23, 2021 Episode 76
James Early

076 – The Bible says a lot about atonement.

There are many theories about what the atonement really is. And one of the most popular ones has only been around since the 1500s.

In this week's episode, I talk with Keith Giles about his new book, Jesus Unforsaken: Substituting Divine Wrath with Unrelenting Love. In it, Keith explores the history of various atonement theories and explains how they differed from the teachings of the early Church.

Here are some of the things Keith and I discussed:

  • His journey in and out of the pulpit
  • How he started a church that gave away all its collections to the poor
  • What the gospel actually is (Hint: it's not the atonement)
  • His gradual deconstruction from believing in a wrathful God to knowing God as a loving Father who forgives freely 
  • How the penal substitution theory of atonement (i.e. Jesus died on the cross in your place and God demanded a blood sacrifice to cleanse you from your sins), which is so popular with many Christians today was formulated by John Calvin in the 1500s and wasn't part of the early Christian Church's teachings
  • Why so many churches are fixated on how sinful people are
  • Worm-free Christianity
  • Why Jesus was actually crucified
  • Why the cross is about so much more than just forgiveness of sins
  • The full scope of the atonement Christ provides for us

DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode may tip over some of your prized sacred theological cows. Proceed only if you are willing to look at things from a fresh perspective with an open and curious, but mildly cautious mind.

To study all the Bible quotes in today's episode, and there are more than usual, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/076.

I would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode whether you agree or disagree with Keith. 

Thanks for listening. If you know someone who will enjoy this episode, please share it with them. 

Have a great week.

Blessings,
James

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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.