A Passionate Review

Pierced for Our Transgressions
Steve Jeffery, Mike Ovey, and Andrew Sach, Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007. 384 pp. $25 (paperback).

When a book's first ten pages consist of forty blurbs from some of the most respected evangelical and reformed scholars singing its praises, it's difficult to begin reading without having some sort of higher-than-normal expectation. I know I did. Having said that, the book exceeded all of those expectations. Upon finishing 'Pierced For Our Transgressions' I felt as thought I had just left a table where I had been feasting on the most royal fruits - delicious and varied – and each more splendid than the last. In a word: I left "stuffed." Stuffed and yearning to share with others this book and the truth contained therein.

If the title of the work hasn't given away it's theme, I'll give it to you here – it's on the atonement. More specifically, it's a polemic for the view of penal substitution, which states "that God gave himself in the person of his Son to suffer instead of us the death, punishment and curse due to fallen humanity as the penalty for sin." It is a view that has been increasingly under attack from liberal theologians and the emergent/post-modern camps, and a view that, the authors argue, is fundamental to understanding salvation.

They begin by building a biblical framework for the doctrine. Their arguments are lucid and succinct, expository and logical, as they present their case through an overwhelming amount of scriptures spanning the Old and New Testaments in favor of Christ's substitutionary work. The authors wisely refrain from only expounding the biblical framework and opt rather to set the stage by introducing the reader to foundational Christian doctrines alongside their thesis, such as the total depravity of man, the gravity of sin, and some of the "harder" and "offensive" attributes of God. The centrality of penal substitution in the "theological jigsaw" is here affirmed, and they clearly affirm that neglecting this doctrine forces us to ignore or dislocate other aspects of the Bible's teaching.

A large and very valuable portion of the book is dedicated to examining the historical pedigree of the doctrine, focusing heavily on the atonement views of the patristics, both Ante-Nicene and Post. The reason for such a detailed examination of the church fathers is a response to the accusation that penal substitution is a result of the reformation and holds no historical value in the early church – an accusation which the authors plainly prove to be wrong. From Justin Martyr, through Eusebius, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Owen, Charles Spurgeon, and all the way to J.I. Packer (to name a few), the authors present this case. Though they are well aware that scripture is the final authority on the matter, they also see the value in the thoughts and beliefs of these great men of the faith.

The final portion of the book is laid out in a "question and answer" style, where the authors engage in tackling the criticisms of the doctrine. Covering dozens of questions on issues valid and vague, this 100-page section really shines. As I read through it I found satisfactory answers to objections I myself had asked concerning the "fairness", "narrowness", and "violence" of the doctrine. This section is an invaluable resource to anyone who wants to be able to defend penal substitution clearly and biblically. I concur with R. Kent Hughes when he states, "A well-thumbed copy of Pierced for Our Transgressions ought to rest on the bookshelf of every thoughtful Christian."

The book is admittedly concise, not exhaustive and maintains an excellent balance between academic and "tinker" language. If you're hungry for the life-changing truths of the cross, please consider picking up a copy of Pierced For Our Transgressions. Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey and Andrew Sach have laid out the banquet…won't you dine with us?

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Graeme Pitman finds beauty and joy in theology and creation and is latching onto Christ alone to save and sanctify him. He also wishes he could write better reviews.