In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement

by J.I. Packer, Mark Dever

An important anthology that reaffirms the classic doctrine of substitutionary atonement and counters the ongoing attacks against it.

If ever there was a time and a need for an enthusiastic reaffirmation of the biblical doctrine of substitutionary atonement, it is now. With this foundational tenet under widespread attack, J. I. Packer and Mark Dever’s anthology plays an important role, issuing a clarion call to readers to stand firm in the truth.

In My Place Condemned He Stood combines three classic articles by Packer—“The Heart of the Gospelâ€; his Tyndale Biblical Theology Lecture, “What Did the Cross Achieveâ€; and his introductory essay to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ—with Dever’s recent article, “Nothing but the Blood.†It also features a foreword by the four principals of Together for the Gospel: Dever, Ligon Duncan, C. J. Mahaney, and Al Mohler. Thoughtful readers looking for a compact classic on this increasingly controversial doctrine need look no farther than this penetrating volume.

“Here is vintage J. I. Packer accompanied by some younger friends. The magisterial but too-little-known essay ‘What Did the Cross Achieve?’ is itself worth the price of the whole book. And there is much more besides. Here, then, are gospel riches, and In My Place Condemned He Stood marks the spot where the buried treasure lies. Start digging!â€
Sinclair B. Ferguson, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

“The essays in this volume by Packer and Dever are some of the most important things I have ever read. If you want to preach in such a way that results in real conversions and changed lives, you should master the approach to the cross laid out in this book.â€
Tim Keller, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

“This book contains some of the finest essays that have ever been written on the death of Christ.â€
David F. Wells, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“Every student and pastor should own this volume, for the contents are so precious that they deserve more than one reading.â€
Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Writing with the precision of learned theologians and the passion of forgiven sinners, J. I. Packer and Mark Dever explain the meaning of atonement, substitution, and propitiation—not just as words, but as saving benefits we can only receive from a crucified Savior.â€
Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Faith

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2008

About the author

What do J. I. Packer, Billy Graham and Richard John Neuhaus have in common? Each was recently named by TIME magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.

Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”

Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”

In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”

For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.

(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)

Reviews

[Ashlyn Wheat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I was well enough versed in theories of atonement for this to fall on good soil, but thankful to have read it and be reminded of the redemptive work of Jesus (and that my salvation was achieved through Christ alone, and done not by my merit, but by His abounding grace, steadfast love & mercy, and sovereignty - praise the Lord!!)

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most significant books I've ever read. It deals with one of the most important theological battles of our day--literally, a crucial argument--and in dealing with it, presents a concise, straight-forward, and gracious defense and explanation of an incredibly important doctrine: the penal substitutionary view of the atonement.

The book is primarily composed of several essays by Packer and Dever relating to the atonement, here collected in one place for the first time. Packer is, as always, brilliant and humble and direct. Dever's contribution was much smaller and less "intellectual" but still very helpful.

The table of contents is as follows:

Foreword (Ligon Duncan, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Mark Dever, and C.J. Mahaney) -- discussing the need for the book and the reasons why they decided to compile it

Preface: A Tract for the Times (J.I. Packer and Mark Dever) -- further explanation of the need for the book, and a preview of what they hoped to accomplish: the defense of a doctrine through the creative exposition of it

Introduction: Penal Substitution Revisited (J.I. Packer) -- short overview of "the best part of the best news that the world has ever heard"

The Heart of the Gospel (J.I. Packer) -- (chapter 18 of Knowing God) defends the concept of propitiation as opposed to expiation, and explains how an understanding of propitiation is necessary to fully comprehend every other vital Scriptural truth (examples given: the driving force in Jesus' life, the destiny of those who reject God, God's gift of peace, the dimensions of the love of God, and the glory of God)

What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution (J.I. Packer) -- the thickest intellectual part of the book, but this is no dry and dusty theological argument: Packer's passion for Christ and reverence for the Scriptures is overwhelmingly evident as he lays out a clear and forthright case for penal substitution as the truest and most God-glorifying understanding of the atonement (of particular interest in this chapter is the part of his argument based on limited atonement)

Nothing But the Blood (Mark Dever) -- a short and sweet overview of four criticisms of penal substitution, the Scriptural backing for the doctrine, and the fact that it isn't possible to be "too atonement-centered"; if we truly understand this doctrine, it's impossible for our everyday lives to not be deeply affected by it

Saved By His Precious Blood: An Introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (J.I. Packer) -- a brilliant, brilliant comparison of the "old gospel" and the "new gospel"; a definition and defense of "Calvinism" in general; and an exposition of limited atonement -- plus, one of the best paragraphs presenting the gospel that I've ever read

Epilogue: Christ-Centered Means Cross-Centered (J.I. Packer and Mark Dever) -- the importance of the cross in the Scriptures, and the necessity of thinking in Christ-centered and cross-centered terms

Books on the Cross of Christ (Ligon Duncan) -- short lists approaching further study from various angles, including top ten must-reads; short, popular introductory books; sermons; pastoral application; systematic theologies; chronological listing of historically significant works; and important confessional statements

Annotated Bibliography (Ligon Duncan) -- very helpful and comprehensive bibliography (gives further information on all the books and authors mentioned in the previous section, plus many more)

In summation, I really can't recommend this book highly enough. I am so grateful for Packer and Dever and the truth and wisdom that they have taken the time and effort to expound. I hadn't understood even a tiny fraction of the glory and beauty and wonder of the atonement, and while I know that I've just barely scratched the surface, this book gave me a window onto a whole new vista of the goodness and mercy of God and the preciousness of Christ. I realized that I hadn't any business thinking I knew anything when I didn't understand the heart of the gospel. I definitely plan to pursue this study further.

"If the true measure of love is how low it stoops to help, and how much in its humility it is ready to do and bear, than it may fairly be claimed that the penal substitutionary model embodies a richer witness to divine love than any other model of atonement, for it sees the Son at his Father's will going lower than any other view ventures to suggest."

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Read it!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange little book. It consists of a Forward with contributions from four different people, a magazine article Packer wrote, a chapter from his book Knowing God, a highly technical treatise on penal substitution, an introduction he penned for John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, a brief article Mark Dever wrote for Christianity today, a Prologue and Epilogue co-authored by Packer and Dever, and two bibliography sections written by Ligon Duncan. It's a mishmash of pieces with no sense of coherency to the composition.

But as for content, there is some real treasure here. It's actually a marvel to see Packer's range of writing style. His chapter from Knowing God is written plainly for a popular audience, yet loses nothing of substance in doing so; there is no dilution. That's followed by an essay of completely different form: heavily academic, taking up important theological points but in a very esoteric manner. And in his Introduction to Owen, he almost takes a fighter's stance. The gentle man Packer stands tall and outlines what he frames as a defense of Calvinism, but is really broader and more significant than that. It's a sharp-tongued refutation of false teachings and a sure-handed articulation of proper biblical theology. It is absolutely spectacular. The whole book is worth that single essay alone.

Five stars for Packer's pieces. One star docked for the odd mixture of sources. Would have been a standout if it were expanded by an essay or two and confined to being only a collection of Packer's work.

[Andrew Geddert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that must be slowly and carefully savoured, not glossed over. It is one that demands reading and rereading with careful examination. I would be lying to say that I got everything out of it that I wanted to - but it is simply too scholarly to get it all in one read. Incredible writing from Packer on PSA. Very helpful annotated bibliography from Duncan at the end.

[Ryan Gossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will recommend this book to anybody who wants to look into the atonement, and what it actually accomplished, for as long as I live. Packer in this book, was precise in how he broke down, and explained the two views of Universal Redemption and Penal Substitution, and how only one can be biblically accurate and assure the salvation of anyone. (Basically a breakdown of how the view of the atonement is what separates Calvinism and Arminianism)
"For the Lamb to be the lamp of the city of God means that the thought of the Son of God made flesh and slaughtered for our sins in order to save us will never leave the minds of glorified saints as they fellowship with the Father and Son and will frame all their thinking about everything else"
"God Saves Sinners"
Please read this!!!

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold. These essays offer substantial evidence that substitutionary atonement as a means of propitiation for our sin is at the heart of biblical Christianity--and they do so in a way that awes and inspires greater affection for Christ. Packer was already instrumental in helping me reconcile a high view of God's sovereignty with mission/evangelism...so in many ways reading his defense of Calvinism in his intro for Owen's "Death of Death in the Death of Christ" felt like a sort of theological homecoming. Despite this book's brevity and accessibility, I read it very slowly over a period of two years or so--so, sadly, many of it's treasures evade memory just now. The memory of their existence is already compelling me to read it again, though.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I recommend it. Kinda interesting on how it’s set up, but I really liked it.
Short yet still academic read on gospel theology. Talks about Propitiation, Penal Substitutionary Atonement, a good section on Calvinism, and defense against false teachings within that.
Penal Substitutionary Atonement is biblical theology and a essential theology. Can’t read enough about it.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easter weekend reading. Compilation of four essays on substitutionary/vicarious atonement. Such a helpful reminder that whatever else we can say about the cross, it is no less than “Christ Jesus died in my place”.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of the best essays on the atonement according to the leaders of "Together 4 the Gospel." It was awesome. I read this for Resurrection weekend just to get my mind set on the work of Christ on the Cross a little more. I have to say at times I was weeping as I read what Christ accomplished for God's elect. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

[AJ Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read through this one with the pastoral residents.

[Josh Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this collection of essays to read some the legendary J.I. Packer, who just passed a few weeks ago. This book contains 3 essays by Packer, which are all outstanding, and one by Dever, which was fine. The last sentence in Dever’s essay is horrible, if i am understanding it correctly. Probably best to skip this one and just read Packer’s essays.

Packer argues that penal substitution is the only Biblical way to view the cross and ultimately leaves the reader in awe of Christ’s work. ‘What did the cross achieve?’ Should be read by every Christian.

The last essay, ‘Saved by His Precious Blood,’ (intro essay to Owen’s famous ‘The Death of Death’) is probably the best short argument for Calvinism I have read. Packer masterfully shows that Arminianism, brought to its end, it’s detrimental to the gospel. One would be hard pressed to read this essay and at least wonder how anyone could Biblically believe that Christ died to achieve the possibility of salvation and not the actual salvation of His church.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

"True Christ-centeredness is, and ever must be, cross-centeredness. The cross on which the divine-human mediator hung, and from which he rose to reign on the basis and in the power of his atoning death, must become the vantage point from which we survey the whole of human history and human life, the reference point for explaining all that has gone wrong in the world and everywhere and all that God has done and will do to put it right, and the center point for fixing the flow of doxology and devotion from our hearts. Healthy, virile, competent Christianity depends on clear-headedness about the cross, banishing blurriness of mind, is only attained by facing up the the reality of Christ's blood-sacrifice of himself in penal substitution for those whom the Father had given him to redeem." Amen.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book of beautiful theology. This is a later compilation of four essays that were published in different contexts, which makes for a diverse read. The first chapter is a classic from Knowing God. It is a clear and accessible defense of propitiation. The second is an academic paper from Tyndale house. This is more academic and assumes knowledge of the major players and theories. The third is Dever's CT article, in many ways a summary of Packer's second essay. Fourth is the introduction to Owen's Death of Death; a beautifully written treatment.

For a laymen's first book on the Atonement, Piper's 50 reasons would be better. For someone wanting to study the doctrine in detail, Stott's Cross of Christ would be better.

[Matt Beal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book on the atonement. Packer is a great writer, and Mark Dever's article helped tie things together. All the articles did me great benefit to helping to define my thinking on the atonement and clarify my position.

I do personally reject Calvinism, but I would dock the book regardless. I think Packer is aggressive and belligerent in his Calvinism, and it is unfortunately a distraction from the rest of the book. To each their own, but I found his attempt to tie penal substitution inextricably to predestination to be a very silly and ultimately failing effort. He seemed to have a fundamental misconception of election, and it dooms his introduction to Owen's book.

Regardless, the book is very, very good. Do yourself a favor and give it a read.

[Kevin Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious! How glorious is the substitution Christ performed for me, and how His blood alone is able to save! It’s been fun to reflect with some pastor-theologians on the cross leading up to Good Friday. The best part of this book in the introduction. I was near tears as I was reading it and thinking about the love of the Lord Christ on the cross. Packer’s essays are classic and logical, and his introduction to Owen is a superb defense of the truthfulness-and necessity—of Reformed soteriology (nicknamed, unhelpfully, Calvinism). A fine collection indeed!

[Daniel Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the deepest book I've ever read. There were times I had to really slow down to try and just figure out what Packer was saying.

His introduction to Owen's Death of death was the highlight of the book in my opinion. Phenomenal chapter!

I probably won't recommend this to many people because of its difficulty to read (not because of old style writing or bad writing, but because of deep theology), but it's the best work in penal substitution I know of.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my Place is a brief and short gem that I would recommend to any layperson wanting time dig deeper into the subject of the atonement. It would be a nice asset to any pastor or biblical scholar. Though they may have been able to read parts of it before. Aside from the annotated bibliography at the end of the book, it is a collection of essays that may have been read elsewhere. In particular is packers introduction to the death of death by John Owen. Get this gold!

[Colin Michaelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains 4 essays, 3 by Packer and 1 by Dever that are solid teaching on the cross, substitutionary atonement and penal substitution. The book was so humbling and so good. Humbling because reading Packer stretched my mind a lot and in some parts it simply was over my head. Good because the theology is so central to sound Christian belief and a counter to false views on soteriology and even careless ways of talking about salvation.

[Josiah Schrodt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but not what I was expecting at first. It is a conglomeration of essays regarding the evangelical primacy of the doctrine of the atonement as penal substitution, a noble task to pursue, indeed. The first several essays, penned by Packer, were intended to provide a historical and theological survey of doctrines and terms such as “atonement,” “substitution,” and “satisfaction,” Dever wrote a pastoral article on the cross-centered life, and Packer, further, wrote an introduction to Owen’s “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.”

[John Benzing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Five Star for this book? Because, as other great books on the Atonement that I’ve read, Christ’s work for sinners on the Cross, God the Father’s gracious acceptance of that work and the Holy Spirit’s application of it to sinners are shown as the “stars” of the salvation. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like you attend theological school and sit in the soteriology class 🤣
By the end if the book, its still not finished, there are many recommendations on soteriology you need to read to deepen your understanding.
Its like: you don't understand the content of this book? Seems you need to start from the beginning. Here is the lists of systematic theology you need to read, begin from... 🤣

[Kirk Metzger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays/works that were used elsewhere, so it has little flow to speak of. However, a great book to read for 20-30 minutes at a time to dwell on the beauty of our redemption accomplished.

[Dan Pek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the easiest read but the final chapter is worth the entire book. I heartily appreciated Packer’s treatment on Calvinism but wondered whether he could have been more balanced and charitable to Arminianism which is also orthodox.

[Graham Kanagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good collection of articles on the atonement. Loved part 4: amazing presentation of the gospel, God’s sovereign grace, with great applications for evangelism. Some parts are a little academic. This chapter alone made it worth the read. Don’t be scared though, just set your expectations.

[Joe Roseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was supremely helpful and I will certainly read it again.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent essays by J. I. Packer and Mark Dever on this crucial Christian doctrine. It has a good annotated bibliography too.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't the most exhaustive defense of Penal Substitutionary Atonement, but it is a fine introduction.

[Jordan Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Packer annihilated Arminianism at the end there. Lol.

[Kyle Bueermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple book that packs a big punch on the Atonement. Essential reading for gospel preachers and, dare I say, all believers.