The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

How Humanity is Reconciled to God: Penal Substitution vs. the Early Church | with Fr. Joseph Lucas

1 h 55 min · 5. mar. 2026
episode How Humanity is Reconciled to God: Penal Substitution vs. the Early Church | with Fr. Joseph Lucas cover

Description

Dr. Nathan Jacobs sits down with Fr. Joseph Lucas to discuss penal substitution atonement. The discussion examines the claim that penal substitution is the biblical and historic view of the atonement. Drawing on the writings of Cyril of Alexandria and other early Christian sources, Fr. Joseph Lucas explains how the Church Fathers understood sacrifice, sin, and the work of Christ very differently from later Western models. The discussion looks at the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, typology, and the meaning of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. The result is a picture of atonement centered on purification, victory over death, and the transformation of human nature—not a transfer of punishment. This conversation also explores how differences in biblical interpretation led to very different conclusions about what the Cross accomplishes. Support the East West Series: https://theeastwestseries.com/ [https://theeastwestseries.com/] Bio: Archpriest Joseph Lucas is an Orthodox Christian priest, theological scholar, college professor, and practical philosopher. He received his PhD in Theology at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (Netherlands) and his MDiv with Distinction in Church History and Patristics at St Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Pennsylvania). He specializes in research pertaining to patristic exegesis and historical theology. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lt40zf4KpV8 Fr. Joseph’s parish in Miami: https://www.oca.org/clergy/Joseph-Lucas/ - His blog, Prudence and Piety: https://prudenceandpiety.com/ - His parish podcast, Apostolic Tradition: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlnsUX0xxfCfBWmQmrrQ8w - Fr. Joseph Lucas’ book: How to Read the Holy Fathers: A Guide for Orthodox Christians: https://store.ancientfaith.com/how-to-read-the-holy-fathers-a-guide-for-orthodox-christians/ - Another episode Dr. Jacobs and Fr. Lucas did together: https://youtu.be/3Yt5fItpy7U?si=0BRySP8VEQgv-9I9 Mentioned: - East Vs. West (Part 1) - Dr. Nathan Jacobs, Orthodox Miami: https://youtu.be/kVGkrtzx1DY?si=hmCwdH5YTN3hcpQn - Fr. Joseph’s appearance on The Symbolic World: https://youtu.be/0FuO88QVlN0?si=8UmUZF4Cc5ZmHD1X - Fr. John Behr’s book, The Case Against Diodore and Theodore: https://www.amazon.com/Against-Diodore-Theodore-Oxford-Christian/dp/0198800215 Dr. Nathan’s series on penal substitution: Part 1: https://youtu.be/WHx21LQncFI?si=Y-WaG636sATOZ03S Part 2: https://youtu.be/-MXLs6J2JBw?si=XxHHcXmqnjhx4G95 Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:18 - Start 01:27 - Introduction 03:11 - Fr. Joseph's work 05:24 - What is penal substitution atonement? 07:41 - Fr. Lucas' background 13:44 - Approaching St. Cyril of Alexandria on atonement 18:00 - St. Cyril's influences 23:09 - An incorrect exegesis 25:08 - The Father looking away from the Son 34:04 - Origen 35:18 - Christ acting in the Old Testament 39:39 - A discussion on the term sin 56:58 - Passover 01:00:28 - Substitution 01:03:20 - Presuppositions: early vs modern Christians 01:11:31 - Assuming our nature 01:15:19 - The blameless passions 01:24:35 - Testing vs temptation 01:29:59 - Justification and vindication 01:46:33 - Salvation is a mystery ========================== Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to written essays, exclusive lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/ All the links: The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

Comments

0

Be the first to comment

Sign up now and become a member of the The Nathan Jacobs Podcast community!

Get Started

1 month for 9 kr.

Then 99 kr. / month · Cancel anytime.

  • Podcasts kun på Podimo
  • 20 lydbogstimer pr. måned
  • Gratis podcasts

All episodes

98 episodes

episode Was The Virgin Mary Sinless? The Answer May Surprise Protestants artwork

Was The Virgin Mary Sinless? The Answer May Surprise Protestants

Was the Virgin Mary sinless? While the Western debate often pits Catholic dogma against Protestant literalism, the ancient Christian East offers a completely different paradigm. In this episode, we explore how the Eastern Church Fathers view Mary’s unique holiness without the Western legal concepts of merit and original sin, and how the theology of the Dormition proves she still required Christ as her Savior. ============= Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/ [http://theeastwestseries.com/] All the links: The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ [https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast] X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod [https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs [https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs] Academia: https://cabasilasinstitute.academia.edu/NathanJacobs [https://cabasilasinstitute.academia.edu/NathanJacobs] Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS [https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS] Related Episodes & Material Mentioned: Episode 30 The Virgin Mary Grinch Slayer: https://youtu.be/bTHlv06p9U8?si=43KLlOYXc2QjAVE4 [https://youtu.be/bTHlv06p9U8?si=43KLlOYXc2QjAVE4] Episode 33: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Story Telling: https://youtu.be/H7X4Df-KEEc?si=7OV6N3SXStXia9fw [https://youtu.be/H7X4Df-KEEc?si=7OV6N3SXStXia9fw] Theological Letter on Mary: https://theologicalletters.com/p/on-mary-the-mother-of-god-1-of-2?utm_source=publication-search [https://theologicalletters.com/p/on-mary-the-mother-of-god-1-of-2?utm_source=publication-search] Frederica Mathewes-Green: https://substack.com/@fredericamg/note/c-167315534 [https://substack.com/@fredericamg/note/c-167315534]

Yesterday28 min
episode The Truth About Why Christians Worship on Sundays artwork

The Truth About Why Christians Worship on Sundays

Dr. Nathan Jacobs examines the claim that Christians worship changed from Saturday to Sunday because of pagan influence and the Roman Emperor Constantine. Tracing the practice from the New Testament through the early Church Fathers, he explores the Christian understanding of the Lord’s Day, the resurrection of Christ, and the profound theology of the “eighth day” that shaped early Christian worship. Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/ Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to written essays, exclusive lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/ ====================================== All the links: The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

30. maj 202627 min
episode Can Dogs Go to Heaven? Theology Explained artwork

Can Dogs Go to Heaven? Theology Explained

In this episode, Dr. Nathan Jacobs explores the simple question: do animals merely live and die, or is there reason to think they share in something more? Drawing from Scripture, the Eastern Orthodox Church Fathers, and the Christian understanding of creation, he examines death, immortality, and humanity’s role within the cosmos, arriving at an answer that is more nuanced than many expect. Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/HlAk0Jm8xd4 Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to written essays, exclusive lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/ ====================================== All the links: The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

21. maj 202630 min
episode God’s Omnipotence Explained: Can God Really Do Anything? artwork

God’s Omnipotence Explained: Can God Really Do Anything?

In this episode, Dr. Nathan Jacobs explores one of the most famous questions in philosophy and theology: If God is all-powerful, are there limits to what He can do? Can God create a rock so heavy that even He cannot lift it? Dr. Jacobs unpacks the classical Christian understanding of omnipotence, logic, and contradiction — drawing from thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and the early Church Fathers.Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to written essays, exclusive lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/======================================All the links:The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobsListen and please review the podcast elsewhere:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

16. maj 202625 min
episode Is the Universe God's Body? artwork

Is the Universe God's Body?

In this week's episode, Dr. Nathan Jacobs explains the Eastern Church Fathers’ view on the relationship between God and the world. The key to understanding the Eastern Christian position on whether the universe, or part of the universe, is equivalent with God lies with what's called the essence-energy distinction. Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/ Leave a comment on Youtube: https://youtu.be/gJpY--74zfg Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to written essays, exclusive lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/ ====================================== All the links: The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

8. maj 202631 min