A word on the atonement
This is a brief understanding of my view (the traditional Reformed view) of the atonement and my reasoning behind why it is I believe that the death of Christ was specifically and purposefully for his elect.
The Scriptures declare that “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). This is decisively expressed in the coming of Christ and his efficacious death on behalf of those in whom the Father had elected to save. When God the Father elected to save he sent the Son for the recovery of his people who would worship him singing a new song before his throne for all eternity (Rev. 5:9). This was then appropriated by the effectual calling of the Holy Spirit by which they were sealed for all eternity (Eph 1:13). The Holy Trinity worked in unison and completion to gather together the elect of God from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9). Thus the death of Christ actually secured their salvation infallibly. Simply put, Christ saves sinners. This might seem subtly different from but is actually radically different from saying, “Christ makes it possible for all sinners to be saved,” however, it is not a simple nuance.
Paul states, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1Tim 1:15-17).
Christ died for sinners in order that they would be saved securely and infallibly. According to Paul, Christ came into the world to save, as demonstrated in his life, not simply to make salvation “possible” for all men equally. This was demonstrated in Paul’s salvation as an example for all the elect sinners in the redemptive plan of God the Father. The outcome of Christ’s actual accomplishment of saving sinners is praise and worship as demonstrated by Paul in v17.
The Scriptures affirm that the cross of Christ saves in all actuality. Christ was paying the penalty for his elect in a substitutionary fashion receiving their liability before God in himself suffering the wrath and judgment of God as a result. In this work he was accomplishing and securing forever their eternal life and all of its Christ-centered benefits. To suggest that all of heavens Christ-centered gifts such as faith, his priestly prayers and intercessory work, the giving of his Spirit and his Shepherding in the lives of his people throughout their days on earth (John 10) were accomplished on the cross for all men equally without distinction in the event itself simply seems foreign to the text. That is, this argument is never established or promoted in any text of Scripture. The work of redemption is one unitary work in the triune Godhead, where, the sinner receives all the benefits of God in Christ or none. That is to say, the benefits of Christ’s life are conditioned on his bearing our sins in his body. Warfield states, “The fundamental characteristic of the New Testament conception of redemption is that deliverance from guilt stands first; emancipation from the power of sin follows upon it; and removal of all the ills of life constitutes its final issue.[1]”
The argument must be made that God’s mighty sovereign grace did not “appear” to them since there was no evidence of it. For according to Paul, the mighty grace that “appears” is indeed grace that is irresistible. Once the grace of God appears (i.e. Jesus Christ) “it teaches us to renounce ungodliness…and to live godly lives” (Titus 2:11ff).
We do not teach ourselves, rather it is the grace of God that teaches us, and storms our rebellious hearts and unbending depraved wills conforming them to Christ. Paul affirms that when the “grace of God appears” it changes all who it appears to (Titus 2:11-3:1-15).
Other Scriptures:
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood,
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
[1] Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ, 352.
Paul states, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1Tim 1:15-17).
Christ died for sinners in order that they would be saved securely and infallibly. According to Paul, Christ came into the world to save, as demonstrated in his life, not simply to make salvation “possible” for all men equally. This was demonstrated in Paul’s salvation as an example for all the elect sinners in the redemptive plan of God the Father. The outcome of Christ’s actual accomplishment of saving sinners is praise and worship as demonstrated by Paul in v17.
The Scriptures affirm that the cross of Christ saves in all actuality. Christ was paying the penalty for his elect in a substitutionary fashion receiving their liability before God in himself suffering the wrath and judgment of God as a result. In this work he was accomplishing and securing forever their eternal life and all of its Christ-centered benefits. To suggest that all of heavens Christ-centered gifts such as faith, his priestly prayers and intercessory work, the giving of his Spirit and his Shepherding in the lives of his people throughout their days on earth (John 10) were accomplished on the cross for all men equally without distinction in the event itself simply seems foreign to the text. That is, this argument is never established or promoted in any text of Scripture. The work of redemption is one unitary work in the triune Godhead, where, the sinner receives all the benefits of God in Christ or none. That is to say, the benefits of Christ’s life are conditioned on his bearing our sins in his body. Warfield states, “The fundamental characteristic of the New Testament conception of redemption is that deliverance from guilt stands first; emancipation from the power of sin follows upon it; and removal of all the ills of life constitutes its final issue.[1]”
The argument must be made that God’s mighty sovereign grace did not “appear” to them since there was no evidence of it. For according to Paul, the mighty grace that “appears” is indeed grace that is irresistible. Once the grace of God appears (i.e. Jesus Christ) “it teaches us to renounce ungodliness…and to live godly lives” (Titus 2:11ff).
We do not teach ourselves, rather it is the grace of God that teaches us, and storms our rebellious hearts and unbending depraved wills conforming them to Christ. Paul affirms that when the “grace of God appears” it changes all who it appears to (Titus 2:11-3:1-15).
Other Scriptures:
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood,
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
[1] Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ, 352.
posted by adam at 11:59 AM
1 Comments:
Adam,
Have you listened to the 9Marks interview with Piper and Ware? Basically, Piper tells Ware that there is hope for his flawed view of thinking (unlimited atonement), and he thinks that Ware will someday realize his error. If you haven't, you should definitely check it out (the LA part is only for about the first ten minutes). It is a great defense of the doctrine that still allows for a genuine Gospel call to all who will believe on Christ (such that those for whom he died will indeed believe. Here is the link. Thanks for the encouragement and faithfulness to the Text.
In Christ,
James
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