Abstract
Recent objections to penal substitutionary views of the atonement argue that they valorize violence. This essay argues that, to the contrary, penal substitution may be viewed as a warrant of eschatological justice that offers hope both to victims and perpetrators of violence. A rejection of all penal justice would contribute to the cycle of violence. Penal justice is a last resort for the sake of God's future eschatological justice. Christ's voluntary self-sacrifice also entails that God takes the punishment for sin upon himself, thus offering the hope of eschatological justice to all.
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