Sean McDowell interviews Dr. Craig on Andrew Rillera’s book, Lamb of the Free, which is a vehement attack on penal substitutionary atonement. Sadly, the book has been widely hailed by indiscriminating readers.

Rillera’s objection is not, like most critiques, aimed at the “penal” aspect of penal substitutionary atonement, but at the “substitutionary” and “atonement” aspects of the theory. He denies not only that Jesus died in our place but, remarkably, that his death atoned for our sins!

Dr. Craig takes the mistaken views espoused by Rillera head on in this critique.

Special thanks to ‪@SeanMcDowell‬ for this interview and footage.

READ: Atonement and the Death of Christ, by W.L. Craig (amzn.to/49I93An)

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00:00 - Teaser & Intro

01:24 - What Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement and what is it important?

02:42 - Rillera’s unusual critique of penal substitution

07:40 - Five pivotal mistakes in Rillera's approach

14:35 - The levitical animal sacrifices aren't substitutionary?

20:04 - The biological death of the animal is not about death?

24:40 - OT ways around a blood sacrifice

28:27 - Sacrifice is not about suffering

32:10 - Interpreting Passover

34:40 - Interpreting the Lord's Supper

40:50 - Why did Jesus have to die?

42:30 - Interesting questions

46:20 - Is penal substitutionary atonement necessary as a biblical theory?