Do We Believe in Penal Substitution? (trans. Joanna Klara Teske) Cover Image

Czy dopuszczamy karę w zastępstwie za winowajcę? (przeł. Joanna Klara Teske)
Do We Believe in Penal Substitution? (trans. Joanna Klara Teske)

Author(s): David Kellogg Lewis
Contributor(s): Joanna Klara Teske (Translator)
Subject(s): Philosophy, Ethics / Practical Philosophy
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: penal substitution; Atonement; criminal law; fine; inconsistent beliefs; debt

Summary/Abstract: The David Lewis’s article concerns the issue of penal substitution in the dual context of the contemporary system of criminal law, in which punishment does not perform a compensatory function, and in the context of the Christian interpretation of Christ’s death as Atonement. It may seem that we do not believe in penal substitution, but in fact we do believe in it selectively. There are Christians who believe that Christ’s death is a payment of the debt of punishment owed by the sinners, but do not believe that a murderer’s friend can serve on his behalf a death sentence. Most of us believe in penal substitution with reference to fines but not other kinds of punishment. In both cases the beliefs concerning penal substitution are clearly inconsistent. However, if selective acceptance of penal substitution is so common, perhaps it makes sense after all.

  • Issue Year: 69/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 497-505
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish