Reasonable Faith Podcast Was God Forced to Kill Jesus?
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Mar 2, 2026 They debate whether God was obligated to demand Jesus' death or could have saved people another way. They contrast theological views from Anselm, Aquinas and Grotius about necessity versus contingency. They examine whether moral influence or penal substitution better explains the cross. They critique a blogger's claim that divine goodness could be violated and its implications for assurance.
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God Is Constrained By Nature Not By External Law
- God’s moral attributes constrain His actions rather than an external law forcing Him to act.
- William Lane Craig explains on a necessitarian view love and justice are essential to God so He cannot act contrary to them, unlike a Muslim-style deity who could.
Aquinas and Grotius Saw The Cross As Contingent
- Aquinas and Grotius thought Christ's passion was not metaphysically necessary but contingently chosen by God.
- Craig cites them to show the cross could be God's chosen method to demonstrate love and justice rather than the only possible way.
The Cross As A Unique Creative Solution
- The crucifixion can be viewed as uniquely creative: God assuming human nature and bearing deserved punishment.
- Craig argues this voluntary self-punishment is a startlingly unexpected solution that vividly demonstrates both love and justice.