Finney's Faulty Teaching

In some Christian circles, Charles G. Finney is considered one of the greatest evangelists in America.  In all honesty, I used to hold him in that regard.  However, I've come to realize that while he was a prolific preacher and author, he was by no means an orthodox theologian.  By reading Finney's own words, I've come to disagree with him and want to stay clear of his teachings.

Finney taught what is called the governmental theory of the atonement of Christ.  The governmental theory of the atonement (also known as the moral government theory) denies that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins.  It simply teaches that Jesus died on behalf of humanity and not for the sins of individuals.

Here's what Finney taught in his own words.  "I delivered two lectures upon the atonement. In these I think I fully succeeded in showing that the atonement did not consist in the literal payment of the debt of sinners..that it simply rendered the salvation of all men possible, and did not of itself lay God under obligation to save anybody; that it was not true that Christ suffered just what those for whom He died deserved to suffer; that no such thing as that was taught in the Bible, and no such thing was true; that, on the contrary, Christ died simply to remove an insurmountable obstacle out of the way of God's forgiving sinners, so as to render it possible for Him to proclaim a universal amnesty, inviting all men to repent, to believe in Christ, and to accept salvation..."  (You can read more here if you would like.)

Unfortunately for Finney, there is no Biblical merit to his teaching.  It actually contradicts the clear and plain teaching of the Bible!

Each of us owes a debt for our sins, and Jesus paid that penalty for us.  

Colossians 2:13-14 tells us, "And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross."

Another verse to consider is 2 Corinthians 5:21 that tells us, "He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

These are just two verses of Scripture that clearly teach that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins.  These verses clearly refute Finney's bad doctrine on the atonement.