A "Knockout Blow" to Penal Substitution? Engaging John Mark Comer on the Atonement
Gavin Ortlund
23.12
12 August 2025
25 November 2025
In this video, Gavin Ortlund responds to recent comments by John Mark Comer suggesting that a new book may be the “final knockout blow” to penal substitutionary atonement (PSA). Gavin offers four reasons why PSA remains a vital part of Christian theology.
Gavin's longer video on the atonement: https://youtu.be/doIAkUycaHM?si=JIoYN__QxpQ1FcS0
Jeremy Treat books: https://www.amazon.com/Incarnation-Renewal-Sacred-Spiritual-Classics/dp/1955424322/ and https://www.amazon.com/Atonement-Introduction-Studies-Systematic-Theology/dp/1433575698/
Gospel Coalition article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/penal-substitution-early-church/
Bobby Jamieson: https://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Offering-Hebrews-Testament-Monograph/dp/1108474438/
Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.
Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.
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00:00 John Mark Comer's Comment
00:16 What is PSA?
00:53 Caricatures of PSA
02:58 Summary of Argument
03:09 1. PSA is Biblical
07:28 2. PSA is Ancient
13:58 3. PSA is Integrative
18:20 4. PSA is Trinitarian
20:57 Closing Metaphor
