Suffering, Punishment and the Cross

There's a fascinating dialogue going on over at Derek Flood's blog arising from a recent article Derek posted called "a non-penal understanding of Isa 53". Others including theologian Andrew Perriman have got involved and the latest posting "Penal substitution and the OT narrative of judgement", with comments following, broadens the discussion somewhat. Big issues which trouble us all are in view here - the relationship between sin and suffering, the meaning of the cross etc. I haven't felt brave enough to join in with these heavyweights but I'm enjoying listening in. Why not take a look??