Limited vs. Unlimited Atonement
Did Christ die for all or ‘the many’?
Let’s talk about it.
Key Takeaways
Unlimited atonement argues that Christ died for all men without exception, making salvation possible for everyone.
Limited atonement emphasizes the scope and efficacy of Christ's death for the elect.
The word 'many' can mean 'all' in certain contexts, suggesting that Christ died for all men.
God desires all men to be saved and offers salvation to all. The interpretation of the word 'many' in Isaiah 52 and 53 depends on the understanding of the function of the atonement described in those passages.
The word 'many' can refer to a particular group rather than all individuals.
The relationship between 'many' and 'all' is context-dependent and should be interpreted accordingly.
The offer of salvation is genuine for all, but the atonement is only applied to those who believe.
The interpretation of the word 'many' in 1 Timothy 4:10 is a topic of further discussion. The participants agree that Christ's death was sufficient for all but is only applied to those who believe.
They emphasize the importance of proclaiming the gospel to all people, regardless of their election status.
There is a distinction between sufficiency and intention in the atonement, with God's desire for the salvation of all people being emphasized.
While there are differences in their perspectives, they view each other as brothers in Christ and not heretics.