Foreword

The cross of Christ is at the very center of gospel proclamation, and thus a thorough, biblical grasp of this central truth is necessary for every gospel minister. Yet our day has seen (like ages before us) much confusion on this vital point of truth. This little book, In My Place Condemned He Stood, is offered as an aid and encouragement to Christians who want more deeply to understand the nature and accomplishments of Jesus' death and thus to be lost in wonder, love, and praise to the gracious Father who gave and delivered up his only begotten Son on our behalf, and to the Son who loved us and gave himself for us, by the Holy Spirit, who alone enables us to say truly, "Jesus is Lord."

The book that you are holding has a history. It exists, at least in part, because of the same friendships that brought us "Together for the Gospel." It contains what have already been reckoned classic, contemporary, evangelical essays on the subject of the atoning work of Christ. Al, Mark, C. J., and I (Ligon) were talking late one night (as is typical for us), and remarking on how singularly useful is J. I. Packer's introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ for articulating a robust, biblical view of salvation and for setting forth succinctly the Bible's teaching on the intent of the atoning work of Christ.

After a suitable season of reflection on our own first encounter with that piece, and how often it had been used to clarify the minds of growing Christians on the comforting truth of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, we began to muse other choice, short pieces on the subject of the meaning and achievement of Christ's death on the cross. Almost simultaneously we named another famous Packer essay, "The Logic of Penal Substitution," given at Tyndale House many years ago. This essay is a little more academic than the Owen introduction, we all agreed, but it is solid gold, superb argument, sound, and edifying. Then one of us said, "Don't forget 'The Heart of the Gospel' from Knowing God"-yet another Packer piece that had pierced our hearts and grown us in grace.

I think it was Mark who then blurted aloud a thought, an idea, a wish: "Wouldn't it be great if all three of these were in one little book that you could give out to people who want to learn more about the atonement?" It was a stroke of genius, for all three of these short works are enormously helpful, devotionally powerful, and biblically faithful. We all hummed and nodded our agreement. "Yes, yes." But how would this happen?

It was agreed that Mark would call his old friend and senior colleague Jim Packer and inquire into his interest and willingness about such a project. Mark did. Dr. Packer graciously and enthusiastically consented, as did the good folks at Crossway. But Dr. Packer also suggested that Mark Dever's brilliant piece from Christianity Today be included. Mark protested mightily. "It doesn't remotely compare with the three works of yours, Jim." But Professor Packer was having nothing of it. "I insist," he said.

Then Mark asked me to do a brief annotated bibliography. "Please don't throw me in the briar patch," I thought to myself. What a joy to offer suggestions for further study on the work whereby our Savior ransomed, redeemed, and reconciled us, propitiating God's wrath by the Father's own loving design and expiating our sin by his blood and righteousness, by his whole, perfect obedience and penal substitutionary sacrifice. Well, it may not pass the test as brief, but I pray that it is useful nevertheless.

So that's how the book and the concept came together. Now it's up to you to read and be edified.

-Ligon Duncan

Ligon tells the story well. The book you now hold in your hands was born out of our shared concern that the eclipse and denial of this doctrine is endangering the health of the church. In these essays you will find a passionate and eloquent defense and exposition of the Bible's teaching that Christ "died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3). We believe this doctrine to be central and essential to the gospel. While the atonement accomplished by Christ cannot be reduced to this understanding alone (and no one should claim that it should), to deny or confuse this doctrine is to deny that Christ died on the cross for our sins and as our substitute. In other words, we honestly believe that those who deny, dismiss, and disparage this doctrine do injury to the gospel. If we truly stand together for the gospel, we stand together for the fact that Christ died on the cross as our substitute, paying the infinite penalty for our sins we could never pay. So read these essays, not only for the health of your soul, but for the health of the church.

-R. Albert Mohler Jr.

I have a couple of things to add. First, I believe this whole idea grew out of Al's certainty that we should address this issue-with which we all agreed. May God use our poor efforts (and Jim Packer's better ones) to aid his church in this. Second, Lig is correct in saying that I was reluctant to add my chapter to this volume. Anything I've said of enduring theological value on this topic is echoing Jim Packer, especially his lecture "What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution." Many critics have suggested that proponents of penal substitution are trashing all other views, or at least ignoring them. I'm not sure I've ever read a book on the atonement that does this. Such a suggestion is, I think, theological caricature. The truth is that there is a soundly biblical and logically compelling case for considering various biblical images of the atonement, and the image of penal substitution is legitimately considered central. That is a more subtle argument, and Jim Packer makes it superbly. Okay, a third thing: don't miss Lig's bibliography at the end. Bibliographies are valuable-annotated bibliographies ten times more so. Lig has read for all of us, and he makes his reading available to us through his concise comments and summaries. Use and enjoy this little volume and be edified.

-Mark Dever

There is no true pastoral ministry apart from the cross. The cross must be central to all preaching and pastoring. In a day when the message of the cross is so often marginalized and its meaning so often undermined, these classic essays could hardly be more timely and relevant. They will help you love the Savior and serve the church he died for. So that's enough by us. Proceed immediately to the profound content of this little volume.

-C. J. Mahaney