What Did the Cross Achieve?: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church

This short classic is actually a lecture J.I. Packer gave in 1973. For some, being 50 years old may not be old enough to consider it a "classic," but I think we could at least say it's a modern classic. The book begins with a foreword from Mark Dever and a brief biographer of Packer. I think the foreword is mainly there to have a contemporary theologian commend a classical one. Dever provides a personal insight into Packer as a teacher which leads well into the helpful biography.The first third of the lecture addresses theological method so that it's clear how Packer is proceeding with and conceiving of penal substitutionary atonement. Next, Packer focuses on what it means for Christ's atonement to be "substitutionary" and then what it means for it to be "penal." In the final section, Packer reflects on his model in light of contemporary exegesis.I was expecting a more pastoral book on the subject, but this is definitely more of academic. Packer's concerns and the theologians he interacts with are largely relating to issues that may be difficult for most lay people to follow. There is, of course, much value in it regardless, but it's best for readers to know what they're getting into. Also, this book is not an argument for penal substitutionary atonement, but a contextualization and defining of Packer's view of it. It's more about how we should think of it than why we should believe it. With that in mind, it's an incredibly helpful lecture that demonstrates Packer's incisive mind and remarkable knowledge of the subject.

Was the death of Christ merely a hypothetical atonement for all, or was it an actual atonement for some? That is the question this book answers. It is an amazing defense of substitutionary penal atonement and the actual satisfying of God's wrath through propitiation. For any who struggle with this topic, please read this book!

Looking to build your book shelf? this is a good book. Easy quick read

I took my time with this one and I’m glad I did. It was a good read and I say this because it was thought-provoking

This was a really solid and illuminating defense of penal substitution. I came in expecting a rather simple, run-of-the-mill analysis, especially given the short length of this work. But while it was only an hour read, there was a lot packed in here, and Packer managed to deliver a rather fresh look at a fiercely-debated issue. I enjoyed this short book a fair bit.Rating: 4.5 Stars (Very Good).