The Fallacy of Limited Atonement

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died and rose again.” (II Corinthians 5:15)

Reformed theology teaches several measures of false doctrine. One of these fallacies is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect, and that He did not die for all. This false doctrine is built on the false perception of election. Reformed theology teaches that God has elected certain people to be saved, and the rest are bound to eternal damnation. Furthermore, this doctrine of election is built upon a misunderstanding of the sovereignty of God. 

I am a great believer in the verse, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17). The general invitation is offered to all men to be saved by drinking of the water of life. Again, we see this general invitation offered. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). I believe that all men are condemned already to perdition because of our sin nature. I also believe that God has offered salvation to anyone who will come and believe in the name of Jesus Christ. My election as a Christian is by the foreknowledge of God. God knows all things; therefore, He knew I would get saved. “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (I Peter 1:2) While God knew I would trust Christ, and the Spirit worked in my heart to draw me to this end, I believe that He calls all men to be saved. I believe that the Spirit of God works on every person’s heart giving them an opportunity to be saved. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)

Where then is the sovereignty of God? It is in the same place it was in the beginning when He gave man, of His sovereign will, the ability to choose between right and wrong. It was not God’s will for Adam to sin, but God allowed Adam to make that choice. This is not a removal of God’s sovereignty; on the contrary, it is a demonstration of God’s sovereignty in action. Though God gave man free choice, man must still answer to God for what He does with that freedom. We who believe in the Second Adam will be saved. We become a part of God’s elect, and we who are saved are predestined to Heaven. 

Can mankind choose God when he is lost in the depravity of sin? I must agree that it is highly unlikely that mankind would choose God unprompted. This is why God gave a Prompter, the Holy Spirit, Who calls mankind to be saved. Some reject and choose to live in their unregenerate state. Yet, there are some who respond by calling upon the name of the Lord. These are born, not of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. It is not our own will or power that saves us, but it is our God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

The doctrine of Sovereign Grace then is built on a limited atonement. Reformed theology teaches that atonement is limited in its purchase as well as its distribution. The doctrine that teaches “For whosoever will” must be built on an atonement that was purchased for all men. For if any man could be saved, a pathway had to be cleared for Him by the cross of Calvary. Thus, we believe that Christ died for all, as the Scriptures clearly teach. This is in keeping with God’s stated will. “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.” (II Peter 3:9) God in His sovereignty created a pathway for all mankind to be saved. Sadly, many choose death over life, and darkness over light.