Atonement Explained: Where Catholics and Protestants Differ

"Jesus died for our sins." As Christians we know this to be true, but do we understand what this really means? There are many explanations that focus on punishment, debt, or substitution. But how does the Catholic Church understand Christ's sacrifice on the Cross?
Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure on this episode of Godsplaining as they explore the Catholic understanding of atonement, the mystery of salvation, and why Catholics speak of participation in the divine life. Along the way, they'll also discuss the famous Protestant theory of penal substitution, St. Thomas Aquinas' approach to redemption, and how Christ's suffering reveals the deepest truth about God's love.
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Join Exodus 90 and their Return of the King challenge: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining 
 
Deadline extended! Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/
Limited spots! Sign up for the 2026 Men's Retreat in August: https://godsplaining.org/events-2/mens-retreat-brevard-nc-august-2026/
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop our merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
Connect on Social Media
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/
Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining
 
To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org