Crushing the Great Serpent: Did God Punish Jesus?

by William L. Hess

What really happened at the Cross? Did the Father really forsake His son and “turn His back” as some claim? How could an all-loving God punish someone innocent for the crimes of the world? By taking a careful look at the Biblical text, Old Testament practices, New Testament terminology, culture, and history, Will Hess seeks to present a clearer view of Christ’s work than what is often popularized and answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This work is a must read for anyone who wants to better understand how Jesus defeated our greatest enemy on the most pivotal day in human history.

Genres: Theology

355 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Nathan Bozeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever found PSA troubling as a doctrine of the atonement, this book provides a compelling critique against it while also providing a Biblical alternative. God did not punish Jesus. God reconciled broken sinners to Himself through the blood of Jesus, giving us partnership with Him through union with the Holy Spirit.

The only critique I have is, in one instance, he mentioned "God sacrificing Himself to Himself," which can come off a bit modalist, but I'm not going to be too nit-picky. His case was compelling, and I recommend this book to anyone looking for alternative views of the atonement.

[Bryan Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the atonement on Christ. He does a great job of trying to simply explain an extremely complex subject that’s been debated for centuries. Will gives a consistent, well documented, and wholistic view of Christs triumph rather than Christ’s Punishment.

[Tim Donnelly]

Made it about 100 pages in and DNF. Too many rapid fire assumptions and lacked real depth.

[Julius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crushing the Great Serpent gives a very approachable and compact overview of atonement theology, giving fair and deserved criticism one of the most widespread atonement models, the satisfaction vicaria, or the penal substitutionary atonement.

The greatest strength of the book is how it is aimed at the laypeople, yet it is unapologetically detailed in its exegesis and overview of differing problems the PSA presents, as well as giving a run down to the differing voices of the Early church.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to unlearn harmful theology about the nature of the Christian God, as well as be reintroduced to the unlimitedly loving deity of the Bible, who humbles himself to humanity and through his blood ransoms us from death and purifies us to be able to be in participation with the living God.