Evangelical Alliance reignites controversy over ideas of the cross
-15/03/05
In the face of ongoing debate amongst Evangelicals concerning the understanding of Jesus crucifixion, the Evangelical Alliance has announced the adoption of a new ‘Basis of Faith’ which appears to endorse the idea of penal substitution and will reignite a controversy that has split evangelicals in the UK.
Evangelicals have already raised concerns that they would no longer be able to stay as members of the Evangelical Alliance after the Alliance announced that their previous doctrinal statement implied support for ‘penal substitution’ – the idea that God punished Jesus on the cross.
For many Christians such a belief conflicts with the character of God revealed in the gospels, and implies an idea of justice that is both violent and far from the biblical vision.
But despite previous assurances that the Alliance wanted an open debate about the idea, a doctrinal statement which appears to come down firmly on one side of the debate has been unanimously approved by the Alliance’s council.
The news comes before a 3-day symposium which was intended to explore the idea more fully, and which is being co-sponsored by the Evangelical Alliance at the London School of Theology (LST) in July.
The symposium followed controversy surrounding Rev Steve Chalkeís book, ‘The Lost Message of Jesus’, which questioned the idea of penal substitution.
The publication provoked outcry from conservative Evangelicals.
A public debate in Westminster followed, attended by 700 people, during which Steve Chalke publicly responded to his critics.
Questions had already been raised about the Evangelical Allianceís objectivity. At the event in Westminster, three speakers were allowed on the platform to oppose Steve Chalke, whilst he had only one to support his case.
The London School of Theology, formerly the London Bible College, which will host the follow-up symposium, is known for its conservative views. It is also home to lecturer Dr Anna Robbins who opposed Steve Chalke at the Westminster debate.
Given the heat that the debate has generated ñ conservatives have withdrawn funding from Steve Chalkeís charity the Oasis Trust, and others have publicly suggested he can no longer be called an ìEvangelicalî ñ many saw it surprising that a more neutral venue was not chosen.
The Evangelical Alliance also publicly criticised Steve Chalke for questioning the doctrine of Penal Substitution, urged him to “think again” and said he had “insufficient appreciation” of the extent to which the idea had shaped Evangelicalism.
An editorial in a well-known denominational newspaper suggested that the Evangelical Alliance had “raised the stakes” with its criticism of the Baptist minister Steve Chalke, and suggested that there was little point in having the public symposium, if the Alliance had already ruled out Steve Chalke’s viewpoint.
However, the heat was taken out of the controversy when a joint statement was issued by Steve Chalke and the Evangelical Alliance in December.
The joint statement recognised “the very real diversity within the evangelical family” and affirmed “devotion to Christ” and “commitment to evangelical unity”. It also affirmed “a commitment to wrestle honestly together in understanding and applying the truth of Christís substitutionary sacrifice”. “We look forward therefore to discussing these issues in greater detail in the forthcoming symposium,” it said and invited “the whole evangelical family to walk with us in making ëevery effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.í (Ephesians 4:3)”
The announcement of a new doctrinal statement which appears to pre-empt the symposium is likely however to reignite the controversy and may be seen by many as going back on the commitment that the Alliance made.
The new basis of faith affirms that people are corrupted by sin which “incurs divine wrath and judgement” and “eternal condemnation to the lost”. It also states that Jesus died “in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil”.
Such statements will be read by many as affirming the idea of penal substitution in all but name.
Joel Edwards, General Director of the Alliance, said: “The way our Theological Commission, Board and Council have worked together on this revision process is exemplary. Many people have participated in the process and there has been a lot of debate and re-working along the way, but it was great to see such unanimity when the final version was approved and adopted.”
Dr Derek Tidball, Principal of the London School of Theology which will host the symposium on atonement, and who is also Chair of the Alliance’s Council, similarly commended the new text: “It is a real improvement”, he said. “It elegantly expresses the essentials of Evangelical faith, and defines clearly what underpins the Alliance’s ministry and mission.”
The new Basis of Faith is as follows:
We believe in…
1. The one true God who lives eternally in three personsóthe Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
2. The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.
3. The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of Godófully trustworthy for faith and conduct.
4. The dignity of all people, made male and female in God’s image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.
5. The incarnation of Godís eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christóborn of the virgin Mary, truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.
6. The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.
7. The bodily resurrection of Christ, the firstfruit of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.
8. The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
9. The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
10. The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believersógiven life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.
11. The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.