This essay attempts to explain the belief that the death of Christ on the cross had the character of penal substitution, and that it was by virtue of this fact that it brought salvation to mankind. First, the author clears up some questions of method. He then continues to explore what it means to call Christ's death substitutionary.

Written to defend the substitutionary view of the atonement, this article shows that viewing the cross of Christ as an example of personal sacrifice for Christians to follow is contrary to the teaching of scripture. God's justice necessitated the substitutionary work of Christ on our behalf.