I was raised up in a faith tradition in which the question of the theological purpose of Jesus’s death is pretty simple— PSA. PSA stands for Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Jesus died as a willing perfect sacrifice taking on our deserved punishment before God and giving us access to eternal life.

I am still part of that faith tradition and I see that as a valid aspect. However, I don’t want to be guilty of being reductive… or sliding into a theological rut. I have a friend in whom whenever someone talks about how it is good for Christians to do good things, seems to feel compelled to say, “You know we are saved by grace, NOT through works.” I have known people that not only see the Bible in terms of salvific history (a true thing, I believe) but feel compelled to interpret every portion of Scripture through the lens of conversion.

<I am not planning to dust off my “Atonement Theories” handout from seminary. However, some of what I will be saying here will line up with some of the most well-known atonement theories. I just want to be a bit more personally reflective here.>

So can we see the death of Jesus in terms that include PSA, but other things as well? First, I would note that PSA is valuable in that it links well to not only the Old Testament practice of sin sacrifice, but also to a myriad of cultures that see sacrifice as needed as needed for positive response from the spirit world. The metaphor is a strong enough one that “Jesus as Sin Sacrifice” could be seen not merely as a metaphor, but as a model. (I believe it was Sallie MacFague who spoke of models as broad, strong, and enduring metaphors.)

That being said, PSA focuses on the Guilt/Innocence focus in culture. Is that a valid focus. Sure… but it is not the only one. That leads to…

Second, It expresses God’s plan to honor. This lines up with the Shame/Honor focus in culture. This interpretation is quite common. The death of Jesus and His resurrection is seen as taking away our shame and giving us access to honor and blessing. This is similar to PSA in that it is a different facet of salvation. Rather than focusing on being justified, the emphasis here is on being glorified, adopted into the family of God, joint heirs with Christ.

Third, the death of Jesus is used as an example for us. In Hebrews 12, it is an example to us to persevere through suffering. In Philippians 2, it is part of the overall example of Jesus as a call to humility.

Fourth, it is an example (ultimate example?) of God’s love. Romans 5:8, while in a passage about justification, notes that Jesus dying for us demonstrates His love for us. John 3:16. While one could make the argument that love is a motivation to an end (justification and adoption), it should not be glossed over. It is common to say that “there was no other possible way for God to save us except through the death of His Son.” We don’t really know the limits of what God COULD have done— all we have access to is what God ACTUALLY DID. And what He did, shows how much God is invested in His creation and the desire He has to draw us to Himself. Perhaps (being imaginative for a moment), there were a thousand ways that God could have undid the Fall, potentially reconciling us to Him. If that is the case, He chose the one that most clearly demonstrated His love in a visceral way.

Fifth, His death allowed us to see His resurrection, thus showing His victory over death. Death is perhaps the defining quality of being a living creature in this world. For each of us, our end is assured and any destination after is uncertain. Even the prophets of the Old Testament seemed a bit vague or questioning about what happens after we are in the grave. Jesus demonstrated that victory over death was not merely a possibility, but a reality. Resurrection is important to us, but can only be demonstrated if there is first a death. Also, since death is linked to the Fall of Man, victory over death can also be seen as victory over sin.

Sixth, His death demonstrates the truth of His message. This is a bit more practical. But Jesus was seen by many of His generation to be either mad (a “demon-possessed Samaritan” as He was at least one time tagged) or a blasphemer (identifying His Sonship to the Father). A natural death and burial leaves his words as uncertain— much as the words of most other “prophets.” A death of causes, such as execution, may actually be seen as divine retribution— the righteous end to an unrighteous teacher. But resurrection is an undeniable stamp of approval on Jesus and His words.

Penal Substitutionary Atonement is important… but it is not the only thing that makes the death of Jesus important. PSA is good doctrine, but when it becomes the rut with slip into every time we talk about the death and resurrection of Jesus, we miss a LOT.