Substitutionary Atonement Under Fire: William Lane Craig Refutes a New Theory

November 20, 2025

00:00 51:35

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Do we need to rethink penal substitutionary atonement? According to a new popular book, the answer is a resounding YES. In his book "Lamb of the Free," Dr. Andrew R. Rillera argues against there is no such thing as substitutionary atonement in the Torah and that substitutionary atonement is both misguided and harmful. As far as I am aware, there has not been an in-depth response to this book. Dr. William Lane Craig joins me to set the record straight.

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

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Meet Your Host

Sean McDowell is a professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has earned two Master's degrees in philosophy and theology and his Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies. He is the author, editor, or co-author of more than 20 books, including "More Than A Carpenter," "Chasing Love," "End the Stalemate," and "The Fate of the Apostles." Sean has one of the top apologetics YouTube channels with over 340k subscribers. He is an internationally renowned speaker and he is on the teaching team at his home church in southern California.