Term

vicarious atonement

The work of Christ earning salvation by acting as a substitute, bearing the penalty for sin in the place of others through his life and death.

Filed underChristologySoteriology

Definition

The work Christ did to earn our salvation by standing in our place in his life and death as our substitute, bearing the penalty we deserved.

Connections

Follow this entry through the Lexicon.

Narrower than
Broader than

Sources

  1. 1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 27BOriginal citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 27B.

Last revised August 14, 2026