What if the story of the Cross was never about satisfying a wrathful God, but about defeating the very forces that hold humanity in bondage? In this episode, Tim and Steve unpack the ancient view of the atonement known as Christus Victor—the belief that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin, death, and Satan were overthrown once and for all. They explore how this early church understanding offers a cosmic perspective of salvation, rooted not in guilt and punishment but in liberation and restoration. Along the way, they revisit the teachings of Irenaeus and Pelagius, challenging centuries-old assumptions and rediscovering the triumphant love revealed at Calvary.

Highlights:

• How Pelagius, often misunderstood as a heretic, actually reflected the sacred anthropology of early Celtic and Eastern Christianity.
• The contrast between Augustine’s doctrine of original sin and Pelagius’s view of the divine image in humanity.
• Why the early church understood the Cross as a cosmic victory over sin, death, and the devil—not divine punishment.
• Jesus' death as a triumphant descent into death and Hades to rescue humanity, not a ransom paid to God or Satan.
• The role of the Trinity in the crucifixion: God was in Christ, reconciling the world through self-giving love.
• How the Christus Victor perspective calls us into a life of freedom, restoration, and participation in Christ’s victory.

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For centuries, the dominant explanation for the cross in Western Christianity has been rooted in retribution—Jesus taking the punishment we deserved. Is that really the whole story? Does it reflect the true heart of God?

In this episode we trace the historical development of the Penal Substitutionary Atonement theory. How did theology, empire, and culture combine to shape a view of God that is more violent than loving? Is it time for a different lens?

If this episode challenges or encourages you, drop a comment and share it with a friend. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation!

🎧 Listen to the full series at: https://impactnations.com/podcast
🌍 Learn more about the mission: https://impactnations.com
❤️ Become a Monthly Giving Champion: https://impactnations.com/give-monthly

This week on The Road to the Cross, Tim and Steve dive into one of the most influential ideas in Western Christianity: original sin. How did a fifth-century theory by Augustine come to dominate our understanding of salvation, the cross, and even our identity?

Tracing the theology from Eden to empire, they uncover a progression that reshaped how many Christians understand God's character—introducing fear, shame, and legalism into what was meant to be good news.

📌 Highlights include:

• The history and impact of Augustine’s doctrine of original sin
• Why translation errors in Romans 5 changed everything
• What the early church believed about humanity’s nature
• Why PSA (Penal Substitutionary Atonement) became dominant—and what's missing
• How recovering a restorative gospel can reshape your faith

This is Part 1 of a two-part exploration of atonement theories—don’t miss next week’s episode as we examine Christus Victor.

💡 If you’ve ever felt like the gospel was more about shame than restoration, this conversation is for you.

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