Limited Atonement - is it Biblical?

[OneAccord]

This is an interesting discussion, I am enjoying it, thank you all for being civil.

To not believe in limited atonement is to believe in universal salvation. The problem with limited atonement, which has been brought out well in this thread, is defining it.

How is it limited? Is it limited by God to only those who He chose/elected? Is it limited by our response, in which case it would be something more like a conditional atonement.

Why is it limited? Because God has predestined an elect people from the foundation of the world? Or because the efficacy of the atonement is dependent on us to believe or choose it? In other words, Christ did His part, now it's up to us, thus limited by our sin and rebellion.

This is a very difficult situation theolgically.

[truthnluv]

This is an interesting discussion, I am enjoying it, thank you all for being civil.

To not believe in limited atonement is to believe in universal salvation.  The problem with limited atonement, which has been brought out well in this thread, is defining it. 

How is it limited?  Is it limited by God to only those who He chose/elected?  Is it limited by our response, in which case it would be something more like a conditional atonement. 

Why is it limited?  Because God has predestined an elect people from the foundation of the world?  Or because the efficacy of the atonement is dependent on us to believe or choose it?  In other words, Christ did His part, now it's up to us, thus limited by our sin and rebellion.

This is a very difficult situation theolgically.

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Limited atonement is particularly associated with Calvinism. In fact, it is the third of The Five Points of Calvinism. This reformed(Calvinist) teaching holds that Christ only bore the sins of the elect and that His work on the Cross takes away the penalty of sin only for those predestined to recieve mercy. Hence, the atonement is limited to God's elect.

Truthnluv

[mrs]

Limited atonement is particularly associated with Calvinism.  In fact, it is the third of The Five Points of Calvinism.  This reformed(Calvinist) teaching holds that Christ only bore the sins of the elect and that His work on the Cross takes away the penalty of sin only for those predestined to recieve mercy.  Hence, the atonement is limited to God's elect.

Truthnluv

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But Arminianism also teaches limited atonement - limited to those who believe in Jesus' work for them and accept it. So it is all a matter of which version of limited is most Biblical.

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

John 3:16&17 does hold the answers to that question.GOD so loved the world.The world would indicate all people not just a chosen few."Whosoever believeth..."

this would also indicate all who believe not just a few.The atonement isnt limited.

[truthnluv]

Limited atonement is particularly associated with Calvinism.

[mrs]

John 3:16&17 does hold the answers to that question.GOD so loved the world.The world would indicate all people not just a chosen few."Whosoever believeth..."

this would also indicate all who believe not just a few.The atonement isnt limited.

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Actually, even in your view it is limited. It would be limited because not all would choose to believe it.

[truthnluv]

John 3:16&17 does hold the answers to that question.GOD so loved the world.The world would indicate all people not just a chosen few."Whosoever believeth..."

this would also indicate all who believe not just a few.The atonement isnt limited.

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Actually, even in your view it is limited. It would be limited because not all would choose to believe it.

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I don't see the atonement as being limited at all. Everyone's sins were atoned for. Jesus was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world.

Truthnluv

[Shane]

The Arminians I've talked to don't believe in total depravity or election.  They seem to believe that man is born innocent, then becomes sinful, chooses to come to God if he's smart enough to believe the gospel, and then his sins are forgiven.  I guess this is a form of limited atonement.  There's just so much error compounded together that it gets confusing.

Truthnluv

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Whoa Man is born innocent???????

[mrs]

The Arminians I've talked to don't believe in total depravity or election.

[stevehut]

However, sinners do get some benefits. 

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Interesting choice of words here.

You believe that some people aren't sinners?