Limited Atonement

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

Okay, for those of you who don’t know what Limited Atonement is, let me break it down and explain it to you real quick before we jump into this.

Limited Atonement is one of the 5 points of a theological system that was created by John Calvin in the 1500s. Limited Atonement is the belief that the sins that were atoned for on the cross were the ones of the elect or chosen. Now, if you’re reading this and you’re either fidgeting in your seat or don’t agree, read what I have to say and perhaps even do your own research before making a decision.

Now, if Christ was able to choose His elect but still die for EVERY last human being that had, is, and will ever live, what would be the point of sin? If Christ did in fact die for EVERY single sin ever done by a human being, shouldn’t we all be going to heaven then? That would mean that every man was just given a free ticket to heaven. That kind of thinking would automatically void the bible ever mentioning to follow the commandments or something because we can do whatever we want simply based on we’re covered.

Now, there are several scriptures that use the word “All” that is referring to a multitude of people. However, it doesn’t mean that every individual on the earth is included in this all. However, based on what’s been said in here, let’s look to see if the way we think the word “All” is used, can work.

“And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ~Mark 13:13. Now, how would this scripture work and how would there be people who were saved if we will be hated by all? What’s been said in Mark 13:13 and the explanation of “all” don’t work together.

“Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” ~Acts 17:25 Now, this scripture does use the word “All” in reference to every human being.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” ~Romans 5:12. This explains that “all Men” will die. That doesn’t mesh with scripture either because Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) and Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) both never died.

Now, because the use of the word all doesn’t mesh with this definition, we have to use a different style of exegesis.

Now, the word “All” can mean many instead of every single individual on the planet. I can have a group of people at my house and say that all went to pizza hut. By that very statement, that doesn’t mean that every person on the earth went to pizza hut. Instead, we see by the context that I’m saying that many people, from the human race, went to pizza hut. More specifically, people that were with me at the time. So, in the context of scriptures that say the word “All” in relation to saved and such, it’s referring to the elect, which is a point of Calvinism.

When God says that He sent His only begotten Son to pay for our sins and then later in the bible He explains that there is an elect or chosen group of individuals for salvation, He means it. If we believe the bible is contradicting itself, we need to check our exegesis of the scripture that seems to contradict. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” ~Isaiah 55:11. That scripture is God talking about His word. If He says that He sent Christ to pay for sins and be the atonement and then later says that it was only for his chosen elect that He predestined, then that’s what He means.

Another thing to look at is John 3:16. It’s a very well known scripture but verses 17-18 are interesting. See, God sent His only son but it also says that if you don’t believe, you’re going to perish. Now, how would that be possible if everyone’s sins are simply already paid for in the first place? There would simply be no reason to believe in God or that Christ died for your sins because even though it’s a sin to not believe in Him, we’re still covered so it’s still that free ticket to heaven based on saying that it was for every single human being.

I also want to point out when/if 2 Peter 3:9 is brought up. God would love for every single man to repent and follow Him. However, that’s not how it works. He also knows that if He just simply snapped His fingers and made every single person believe, He wouldn’t be showing His full nature. God is not only merciful and loving but He is also condemning and just. How would it that someone who is just simply gives everyone a free way out of eternal damnation? The best way to show His complete character and nature is to be impartial and send/condemn people to Hell.