One of the most important doctrines of Christendom is the doctrine of substitutionary atonement or penal substitution.
It basically states that Christ took upon Himself the griefs, sorrows, transgressions, iniquity and sins of believers while dying of the cross, thereby satisfying the wrath of the Father. This teaching is beautifully states in Isaiah 53 where the prophet tells us that “it was the will of the LORD to crush Him.” Isaiah 53:10a ESV
It is highly disappointing that churches today reject part of this doctrine.
Today, my friend Romeo Fulga pointed out that the Presbyterian Church USA has publicly rejected one of the most popular hymns sang in our churches today, “In Christ Alone.” To get an idea of how popular this song is, I typed “in ch” in my google search bar and the first item that popped up was “in Christ alone lyrics.” This liberal denomination who also happens to ordain gay ministers is rejecting the song because of the following stanza which references the wrath of God in the context of substitutionary atonement:
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
Other Christian artists also have a problem with this line. Some have recorded the song, but either left out the “wrath of God” stanza or changed it to “the love of God was magnified.”
Christianity today in some circles has become a lukewarm, love-only type of Christianity which avoids preaching such concepts as the wrath of God, the existence of hell, death as the penalty against sin, and many other unpalatable to the flesh doctrines found on the pages of the Bible.
It is time for the church to wake up and realize that an incomplete Gospel is a false Gospel. We cannot have the love of God without the wrath of God. We cannot have God’s love and mercy without His justice. We cannot separate His attributes, nor pick and choose which ones we want to accept or reject.
It is time to accept the Bible as inerrant, and accept the teachings found there in their entirety.
Delight in Truth 
Love this song! I cannot fully appreciate Christ’s suffering for me on the cross if I deny God’s wrath.
Interestingly even wiki answers shows how much you would have to ignore biblical instances of God’s wrath in the Bible.
God’s wrath is mentioned in both the old and new testaments a total of 95 times.
Wrath of God = 31
God’s wrath = 11
The universal church is ripping more and more pages out of the Bible to suit their politically correct feelings.
Thank you Rodi, for the stats. It is such a well grounded doctrine, how can Christians not embrace it? Even in our own churches there are those who have a problem with it.
The problem is that people are trying to avoid being abrasive in the presentation of the Gospel and they are literally amending it. Such deep penalty will they pay for changing the Word of God. Some would be willing to take pages out of Scripture, like Romans 1 and Romans 9. And many others.
I’m with rodi. It’s a great song.
I don’t know how one can toss the words “The Wrath of God Was Satisfied” without separating themselves from an important truth.
I accept the Bible as inerrant. To do otherwise is to become a lukewarm, love-only type of Christianity of which you write, Delight.
The Presbyterian Church USA has been deceived for some time now. By rejecting the words of this song, the PCUSA has taken another step in the wrong direction.
Large numbers of Americans are turning from basic doctrines that have always been the foundation for true Christians.
Only 1/3rd of the Christian Churches (230) in the county in which I live are willing to stand up for these foundational principles. Living in the “Bible Belt” makes this stat difficult to stomach.
It is becoming hard to find true men of God in our pulpits.
May the Lord have mercy on us.
God’s blessings…
PC USA church has 2 million members in it, Chris.
That is a very large number of Christians who have to accept practicing gay clergy. This particular church will head closer and closer to universalism in the near future, I predict. I hope not, sincerely. But the spirit of Rob Bell’s false teaching is infiltrating many churches.
We are getting closer and closer to the end. Will the Son of man find faith when He returns?
Such a great post! I’m tired of listening to “pretty” sermons that hide the wrath of God -I feel “old school preaching” has gone 😦
You are right kingintraining, we rarely hear fire-and-brimstone sermons these days. Occasionally Paul Washer delivers one, or an old school Pentecostal may venture to preach that style, but our lukewarm churches need them…
I so miss fire and brimstone. And people make you feel bad for talking about it!
My church sings this, not sure if they omit the line, have changed it or sing it as it was written. Thank you for this post, I will be aware next time and act if it is necessary to point out the error. Standing on the promises of God.
Thank you, Ali, for having the courage to bring up such a thing to your worship leader.
God bless you
One great thread Delight. I answered your comment on my blog prior to coming only to find you are talking about it “Love,” here. The PC USA has along and colorful history of producing men who disregard doctrines of the Bible for their own supposed brilliance.
i have read accounts of two such ministers back in the early 17th century who were instrumental in formulating the doctrines and beliefs of Freemasonry in Europe. I will not go there but say it is happening all over again. Not just PC USA but many others as you have said.
In Christ ALONE – AMEN!
Great post!