RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940 -- Rendered At Sun, 07 Jun 2026 22:16:44 +0000 The Story And The Shape https://redcircle.com/shows/the-story-and-the-shape en-US All rights reserved. Paul Smith A podcast about Christian theology and the shape it takes in the lives of believers and the church, particularly framed within the Bible's big story of the coming of God's Kingdom through his Messiah, Jesus. 2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940 A podcast about Christian theology and the shape it takes in the lives of believers and the church, particularly framed within the Bible's big story of the coming of God's Kingdom through his Messiah, Jesus.

]]> episodic no Paul Smith psmitty@live.com no full Passover → Covenant → Atonement: Three Sacrifices, One Story. [Ep7] Passover → Covenant → Atonement: Three Sacrifices, One Story. [Ep7] 7 1 Paul Smith In this episode we explore three major sacrifices in Israel’s story - Passover, the Covenant ratification at Sinai, and the Day of Atonement. Far from working the same way, each one uses blood differently and plays a unique role in the bigger narrative.

We examine what the blood is actually doing in each case and why the common assumption of penal substitution doesn’t line up with the biblical story. A foundational episode for understanding how the New Testament applies sacrificial imagery to Jesus.


00:00 Three Sacrifices, One Story

02:15 Recap: Blood & Relationship

03:36 Passover – The Warding Blood

05:18 Dismantling Substitution

11:48 Blood as Life & Protection

13:35 Covenant at Sinai

15:16 Blood of the Covenant

21:18 Sealing the Relationship

27:46 Day of Atonement – Cleansing

33:19 The Scapegoat & Removal

35:35 One Story, Three Functions

38:30 Final Thoughts & Next Time

]]> <p><span>In this episode we explore three major sacrifices in Israel’s story - Passover, the Covenant ratification at Sinai, and the Day of Atonement. Far from working the same way, each one uses blood differently and plays a unique role in the bigger narrative.</span></p><p><span>We examine what the blood is actually doing in each case and why the common assumption of penal substitution doesn’t line up with the biblical story. A foundational episode for understanding how the New Testament applies sacrificial imagery to Jesus.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>00:00 Three Sacrifices, One Story</span></p><p><span>02:15 Recap: Blood &amp; Relationship</span></p><p><span>03:36 Passover – The Warding Blood</span></p><p><span>05:18 Dismantling Substitution</span></p><p><span>11:48 Blood as Life &amp; Protection</span></p><p><span>13:35 Covenant at Sinai</span></p><p><span>15:16 Blood of the Covenant</span></p><p><span>21:18 Sealing the Relationship</span></p><p><span>27:46 Day of Atonement – Cleansing</span></p><p><span>33:19 The Scapegoat &amp; Removal</span></p><p><span>35:35 One Story, Three Functions</span></p><p><span>38:30 Final Thoughts &amp; Next Time</span></p> 761419df-78cd-4e8b-b3d4-7c149ffc7d9b https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/f2a43a80-6f5e-46c8-b4bf-995bd9ebdb24 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:47:37 +0000 2339 no full Why Did an Animal Have to Die? | Rethinking Old Testament Sacrifice [Ep 6] Why Did an Animal Have to Die? | Rethinking Old Testament Sacrifice [Ep 6] 6 1 Paul Smith Why did animals actually die in biblical sacrifice? In Episode 6 of the podcast, we challenge the standard courtroom framework of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and explore how ancient Israelite sacrifice was really about relational gift-giving, life, and purification.

For many modern Christians, the default view of biblical sacrifice is a legal transaction: an animal dies as a substitute to suffer the death penalty for a person's sin. But does this courtroom model actually hold up under biblical scrutiny? In this episode, we put a spanner in the works of standard PSA logic by looking at the actual mechanics of Levitical law. We discuss why "sin offerings" were required for completely non-moral things like childbirth, skin diseases, mildewed houses, and even inanimate objects like the altar itself.

If blood doesn't represent a demand for death and punishment, what does it mean? We dive into the ancient perspective that blood symbolizes a potent force of life - the ultimate ritual cleaning agent used to push back the forces of death, mortality, and ritual decay so that a holy God can dwell among his people.


This episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/jEJbA_vF1Ec


Books Mentioned:

- "Leviticus on the Butcher's Block" by Phil Bray (YouTube: Leviticus is Fun)

- "Lamb of the Free" by Andrew Rillera


00:00 - The Distortion of Biblical Sacrifice

02:06 - Debunking the Courtroom Model (PSA)

06:36 - Israel's Actual Criminal Justice System

08:21 - The Throne Room: Relationship & Gift-Giving

09:48 - Why the Priests Offered God "Food"

13:57 - The Shared Meal: Participating with God

18:10 - The Real Reason the Animal Dies

21:12 - The Logic of Blood Atonement & Cleansing

28:33 - Sin Offerings for Altars, Houses, & Childbirth

34:32 - Where Sin Offerings Appear in the Gospels

38:18 - Does the Sacrificial System Support PSA?

]]> <p><span>Why did animals actually die in biblical sacrifice? In Episode 6 of the podcast, we challenge the standard courtroom framework of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and explore how ancient Israelite sacrifice was really about relational gift-giving, life, and purification.</span></p><p><span>For many modern Christians, the default view of biblical sacrifice is a legal transaction: an animal dies as a substitute to suffer the death penalty for a person&#39;s sin. But does this courtroom model actually hold up under biblical scrutiny? In this episode, we put a spanner in the works of standard PSA logic by looking at the actual mechanics of Levitical law. We discuss why &#34;sin offerings&#34; were required for completely non-moral things like childbirth, skin diseases, mildewed houses, and even inanimate objects like the altar itself.</span></p><p><span>If blood doesn&#39;t represent a demand for death and punishment, what does it mean? We dive into the ancient perspective that blood symbolizes a potent force of life - the ultimate ritual cleaning agent used to push back the forces of death, mortality, and ritual decay so that a holy God can dwell among his people.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>This episode is also available on YouTube here: </span>https://youtu.be/jEJbA_vF1Ec</p><p><br></p><p><span>Books Mentioned:</span></p><p><span>- &#34;Leviticus on the Butcher&#39;s Block&#34; by Phil Bray (YouTube: Leviticus is Fun)</span></p><p><span>- &#34;Lamb of the Free&#34; by Andrew Rillera</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>00:00 - The Distortion of Biblical Sacrifice</span></p><p><span>02:06 - Debunking the Courtroom Model (PSA)</span></p><p><span>06:36 - Israel&#39;s Actual Criminal Justice System</span></p><p><span>08:21 - The Throne Room: Relationship &amp; Gift-Giving</span></p><p><span>09:48 - Why the Priests Offered God &#34;Food&#34;</span></p><p><span>13:57 - The Shared Meal: Participating with God</span></p><p><span>18:10 - The Real Reason the Animal Dies</span></p><p><span>21:12 - The Logic of Blood Atonement &amp; Cleansing</span></p><p><span>28:33 - Sin Offerings for Altars, Houses, &amp; Childbirth</span></p><p><span>34:32 - Where Sin Offerings Appear in the Gospels</span></p><p><span>38:18 - Does the Sacrificial System Support PSA?</span></p> 83eeba77-672b-404e-9ced-0838e96acc4a https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/405060d1-1771-4599-a739-dce835a70dac Sat, 23 May 2026 05:17:38 +0000 2451 no full Ep5: Does Romans 3:25-26 Really Teach PSA? // Rethinking Propitiation & Justice Ep5: Does Romans 3:25-26 Really Teach PSA? // Rethinking Propitiation & Justice 5 1 Paul Smith In episode #5 of the podcast we take a deep dive into one of the most important atonement passages in the New Testament. What does “hilasterion” (often translated "propitiation") really mean? Is God the one being propitiated, or is He offering humanity a gift?

We explore the original meaning of the word in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, the true nature of God’s justice, and why this passage may not be saying what many assume. A fresh look at justice, faithfulness, and reconciliation that challenges common assumptions about the cross.

If you’ve ever wrestled with how God can be both just and the justifier, this episode is for you.


00:00 Intro

03:10 The Word Propitiation

09:25 Direction of the Gift

12:45 Faith As Loyalty

22:30 What Hilasterion Really Means

37:20 Trojan Horse & Augustus

50:40 Amnesty & Reconciliation

56:50 Final Thoughts


Music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/

]]> <p>In episode #5 of the podcast we take a deep dive into one of the most important atonement passages in the New Testament. What does “hilasterion” (often translated &#34;propitiation&#34;) really mean? Is God the one being propitiated, or is He offering humanity a gift?</p><p>We explore the original meaning of the word in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, the true nature of God’s justice, and why this passage may not be saying what many assume. A fresh look at justice, faithfulness, and reconciliation that challenges common assumptions about the cross.</p><p>If you’ve ever wrestled with how God can be both just and the justifier, this episode is for you.</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>03:10 The Word Propitiation</p><p>09:25 Direction of the Gift</p><p>12:45 Faith As Loyalty</p><p>22:30 What Hilasterion Really Means</p><p>37:20 Trojan Horse &amp; Augustus</p><p>50:40 Amnesty &amp; Reconciliation</p><p>56:50 Final Thoughts</p><p><br></p><p>Music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/</p> dbf07305-4869-48cb-a51c-3d2b82b83525 https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/f98a8425-020c-417a-9aa3-2d1118382f86 Sat, 09 May 2026 08:45:02 +0000 3550 no full Ep 4: Is God's Justice About Retribution... or Restoration? Ep 4: Is God's Justice About Retribution... or Restoration? 4 1 Paul Smith Most Christians assume that God’s justice means punishment for wrongdoing. But what if the Bible presents a completely different picture? In this episode, we look at how “justice” is actually used in the Old Testament and why that might challenge the idea that God’s justice is primarily retributive. This is part of an ongoing series exploring the cross, the gospel, and the assumptions behind penal substitutionary atonement.

]]> <p><span>Most Christians assume that God’s justice means punishment for wrongdoing. But what if the Bible presents a completely different picture? In this episode, we look at how “justice” is actually used in the Old Testament and why that might challenge the idea that God’s justice is primarily retributive. This is part of an ongoing series exploring the cross, the gospel, and the assumptions behind penal substitutionary atonement.</span></p> a9e3b691-d566-4bb0-92f5-65bc731282fa https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/efc92345-bac1-4e16-8b0f-b3301b6ec5e8 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:14:14 +0000 2437 no full Ep3: What If God Doesn't Need to Punish to Forgive? Ep3: What If God Doesn't Need to Punish to Forgive? 3 1 Paul Smith What if God doesn’t actually need to punish sin before He can forgive us?

In this episode of the podcast, we take a close look at one of the most common assumptions in modern Christianity: that God can’t forgive without someone being punished. We trace the idea back to Anselm’s satisfaction theory, examine John Stott’s arguments in "The Cross Of Christ", and ask whether this is really a biblical concept or a man-made framework placed on top of Scripture.

We dive into the Old Testament (Psalms, Micah, Isaiah, Jonah), the parable of the unmerciful servant, and why penal substitution might actually be trying to solve an imaginary problem.

Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/yTiaw9EFeGY

Intro music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/

]]> <p>What if God doesn’t actually need to punish sin before He can forgive us?</p><p>In this episode of the podcast, we take a close look at one of the most common assumptions in modern Christianity: that God can’t forgive without someone being punished. We trace the idea back to Anselm’s satisfaction theory, examine John Stott’s arguments in &#34;The Cross Of Christ&#34;, and ask whether this is really a biblical concept or a man-made framework placed on top of Scripture.</p><p>We dive into the Old Testament (Psalms, Micah, Isaiah, Jonah), the parable of the unmerciful servant, and why penal substitution might actually be trying to solve an imaginary problem.</p><p>Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/yTiaw9EFeGY</p><p>Intro music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/</p> c40474d8-3743-485f-ae38-3ab48659f50b https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/f25492cd-e57f-4e07-aece-70f72373bffd Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:08:36 +0000 3636 no full Ep2: Why Emotion Blocks Honest Debate About Atonement Ep2: Why Emotion Blocks Honest Debate About Atonement 2 1 Paul Smith In this episode, we unpack why discussions about penal substitution often get intensely emotional before anyone even opens the Bible. We explore how feelings of guilt, safety, and fear can shut down conversation, and why questioning this popular doctrine can feel like a major red flag to many Christians.

Music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/

]]> <p>In this episode, we unpack why discussions about penal substitution often get intensely emotional before anyone even opens the Bible. We explore how feelings of guilt, safety, and fear can shut down conversation, and why questioning this popular doctrine can feel like a major red flag to many Christians.</p><p><span>Music by PaulYudin - https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sport-music-490393/</span></p> ad8dd2e3-f568-4308-b755-5f6145f63962 https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/d993dab6-dca4-4685-9f1b-5cb52bccce25 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:17:39 +0000 2739 no full Ep 1: Can I Convince My Pastor Penal Substitution Isn't Biblical? (Series Intro) Ep 1: Can I Convince My Pastor Penal Substitution Isn't Biblical? (Series Intro) 1 1 Paul Smith Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement really the gospel?

In this first episode of The Story and the Shape Podcast, I kick off a deep dive conversation with my pastor James about the story of the Bible, the meaning of the cross, and whether penal substitutionary atonement really sits at the centre of it all.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/w-Gp1En5nY4

]]> <p>Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement really the gospel?</p><p>In this first episode of The Story and the Shape Podcast, I kick off a deep dive conversation with my pastor James about the story of the Bible, the meaning of the cross, and whether penal substitutionary atonement really sits at the centre of it all.</p><p>Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/w-Gp1En5nY4</p> b2272e02-37f7-4e12-8029-faec391afc88 https://redcircle.com/shows/2e7fe0db-635b-4848-bf2a-b41bd1071940/episodes/4fc7b4d0-1fc3-4033-b3e8-6564fd7091e3 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:41:18 +0000 1356 no