Superbowl theology

There have always been critics of penal substitution, original sin, imputed righteousness, vicarious atonement, and federal theology in general. Some critics are professing Christians while others are outright unbelievers. Critics regard this framework as unfair or legally fictitious.

It's striking to compare their attitude with sports fans. Fans are very invested in "their" team. They are proud when their team wins, but disappointed, embarrassed, or even ashamed, when their team loses (depending on how their team lost). 

Even though a fan is not a teammate, the fan identifies with the home team, as if a win for the player is a win for the fan, a loss for the player is a loss for the fan. 

When fans relocate from one state to another, it's not usual for them to switch their allegiance to the teams of their adopted state. 

It's striking that many people who reject the vicarious principle in theology accept the vicarious principle in sports.