God demonstrated His love in Christ’s crucifixion (Rom. 5.8). However, the members of the Trinity did not suffer since Christ, only in His humanity, paid sin’s penalty for us. The incarnation and earthly ministry of Jesus was the start of an advance into a new realm: materiality. God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must do so in spirit and truth (Jn. 4.24).

Modern, conservative Evangelicals have drifted from the safe moorings of Historical Christianity. I am sympathetic with those who are trying to retrieve what has been agreed to among stalwart Christians for nearly 2000 years. Though my introductory comments are somewhat tangential to the following article, they are relevant in showing that Christ’s atoning work was a victory unlike most modern conceptions which see it as a defeat.

Not only did Jesus secure humanity’s salvation eternally, but He has also freed His people from demonic accusation during our earthly life: without blemish and free from accusation…having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 1.22, 2.14-15 NIV).

Redemption’s purpose was a mystery now revealed, the subjection of all things to Yeshua, both in heaven and earth: and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Col. 1.20 NIV).

Stretching the Quadrilateral, Pt. 2: Crucicentrism vs. The Doctrine of God — Ad Fontes