So, does Paul get a monopoly on defining Jesus' death? How do we balance Paul, (presumably as filtered through Augustine, Luther, Calvin, etc.) with the writings of Peter, James, and the gospel writers?

Maybe this puts me with the mushy liberals, but the "meaning" or "purpose" of Jesus' death has always been filtered through cultural understandings and world views. Penal substitutionary atonement may make far more sense in the early Middle Ages, than in does in 2023.

You might find this class interesting or other work associated with Pete Enns, https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/product/why-god-died/