Limited Atonement: Some Thoughts

Ironically, unlike for many other Calvinists, the doctrine of Limited (or Definite) Atonement was one of the easiest of all doctrines for me to accept (Perhaps Total Depravity got on my accepted list earlier though).

Despite the many, many attacks this doctrine faces from Arminians and Amyraldinians, I still think that Limited Atonement will still stand.

To properly get a firm grip on it, you will need to first understand the concept of the atonement. Once you do get what the atonement means, you will either have to face the fact of universalism if you advocate universal atonement or you will have to go to a Definite atonement. This is what got me convinced. Despite the many passages seemingly contradictory, I think those passages would be better used by a universalist, unless one is to sacrifice the proper understanding of the atonement.

I recommed these articles to help you out:

Limited Atonement by Greg Bahnsen

Extent of The Atonement: Answering Objections by Matt Perman

The Case For Definite Atonement by Roger Nicole

Individual passages you might be struggling with:

John 3:16

2 Peter 2:1

1 John 2:2

I hope this doesn't sound like an advertisement for the L in the TULIP! It is important to remember that a doctrine is supported by the amount of Bible verses and not articles written in it's favor.
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