Calvinism: Limited Atonement

The third point of Calvinism is summarized by the Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics as:

Limited Atonement is a doctrine offered in answer to the question, "for whose sins did Christ atone?" The Bible teaches that Christ died for those whom God gave him to save (John 17:9). Christ died, indeed, for many people, but not all (Matthew 26:28). Specifically, Christ died for the invisible Church—the sum total of all those who would ever rightly bear the name "Christian" (Ephesians 5:25).

This doctrine often finds many objections, mostly from those who think that Limited Atonement does damage to evangelism. We have already seen that Christ will not lose any that the father has given to him (John 6:37). Christ's death was not a death of potential atonement for all people. Believing that Jesus' death was a potential, symbolic atonement for anyone who might possibly, in the future, accept him trivializes Christ's act of atonement. Christ died to atone for specific sins of specific sinners. Christ died to make holy the church. He did not atone for all men, because obviously all men are not saved. Evangelism is actually lifted up in this doctrine, for the evangelist may tell his congregation that Christ died for sinners, and that he will not lose any of those for whom he died!⁷⁹

This third point of Calvinism, Limited Atonement, flies in the face of scripture: "For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:13-15). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17). This is further witnessed to in the book of Isaiah: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:22).

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Under the New Covenant, God our Savior will have all men to be saved, not just a select few. Jesus says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). And Paul reiterates that, "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13), "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). God the Father desires that all be saved; hence, Jesus Christ died for all. Notwithstanding, we already know that not everyone receives his free gift; thus, he proclaims to his disciples at the "Last Supper": "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Think of it this way, entrance into the body of Christ is by invitation only; however, the invitation—the gospel—is sent out throughout the world and is open for all to receive. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). Moreover, a response—repentance and conversion—is required to the invitation—RSVP: "how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" (Luke 11:13)?

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:14-18)

Thus the emphasis is on us making a choice—giving a response—not on the invitation. The limit to atonement is not from God's perspective but rather from ours. "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

DRAFT V2010-06-28T4:47:26 PM