Christus Victor
Term
Latin for "Christ the Victor"; the biblical teaching that by His death and resurrection Christ defeated sin, death, and the devil.
Also called: Christus Victor only
What it means
Scripture often describes the cross as a victory. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, to break the power of the one who held the fear of death over us, and to disarm the rulers and authorities. The phrase "Christus Victor" names this theme, and it was popularized in the twentieth century as a label for the early church's emphasis on Christ's triumph.
Confessional Protestants affirm this gladly. The question is how the victory was won. Colossians 2 connects Christ's triumph over the powers to His canceling the record of debt that stood against us. Satan's power to accuse is broken because our guilt has been borne. Victory and substitution belong together.
The term is sometimes used to replace penal substitution rather than to complement it, in what is called a "Christus Victor only" view. That is a denial of penal substitution, and this site treats it under that heading. When you see the term, ask whether it is being used alongside substitution or instead of it.
In Scripture
Having canceled our debt at the cross, Christ disarmed the powers and triumphed over them.
Through death Christ broke the power of the devil and freed those enslaved by fear of death.
The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.
God promised that the woman's offspring would crush the serpent's head.
Death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 8.8; LBCF 1689 8.8
Related terms
Penal substitutionary atonementHistoric orthodoxy
On the cross, Christ took the place of sinners and bore the penalty their sins deserved, satisfying God's justice so that He could forgive them.
Moral influence theorySerious error
The teaching that Christ's death saves only by showing God's love and moving us to repent, not by bearing the penalty for our sins.
Penal substitution as one modelFlagged as a concern
The teaching that penal substitution is one valid picture of the atonement among several, with no special place at the center.