Imperishable Inheritance

Some of my friends who are undertaking the Soteriological study are having problems accepting Limited Atonement, and I would hope so. It is not an easy doctrine, and by showing they have a problem with it then it proves they are critically thinking of it. Let us first examine Amyraldianism or "Hypothetical Universalism."

This doctrine accepts Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistable Grace, and Perserverance of the Saints; but denies Limited Atonement. The holders of this philosophy are commonly called "4-point Calvinists," but this is a misnomer. Amyraldianists accept the illogical nature of this doctrine by way of textual basis, and that in one sense is great! It is great to base your theology on text alone, and I also agree that the often used proof texts for Limited Atonement are rather vague; but that does not mean we should jump ship quite yet.

Even though a specific text might not answer a question does not believe that we cannot systematically come to a conclusion. Take for instance the following doctrines that do not have text that mention the doctrine specifically, but they are discovered through careful exegesis of Scripture:

The Trinity

• The Father is God (John 8:41), The Son is God (John 1:1), The Holy Spirit is God (1 Corinthians 3:16).
• God is one (Mark 12:29).
• Therefore, God is Triune.

Compatibilism (Free Will Inside of Determinism)

• God is sovereign (Ephesians 1:4).
• Man is free (James 1:14) and responsible (Isaiah 55:6-7).
• Therefore, free will is compatible with sovereignty.

Even though I am happy to see theologians sticking to the text, I am at the same dissapointed that they forgo a theological truth for 1 or 2 proof texts. If you truly believe that man is dead to the things of God, and the only thing that can save them is the Holy Spirit's resistable efficiaous grace based on God's sovereign election, then you are by nature accepting Limited Atonement. If you deny Limited Atonement you thereby deny Total Depravity and Unconditional Election. Amyraldianists also accept that there is a efficiaous grace only given to the elect, but still hold to this "hypothetical universalism" on the basis of Arminian proof texts for Unlimited Atonement. God can desire for all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4) and yet have a will to not save all (Revelation 13:8). This is the difference between a will of decree (desire) and will of command (effectual choice).

Although some accuse Calvinists of logically deducing Limited Atonement, it is important to remember that the Five Points of Calvinism only came about because of the Remonstrance (points of Arminianism). The point of Limited Atonement was necessary to refute the doctrine of Unlimited Atonement in the Remonstrance. In the Canon from the Synod of Dort, Election and Atonement were actually combined into one chapter due to their reliance on each other.

Articles for further inquiry:

• Are There Two Wills in God?
• Dispensational Soteriological Innovations
• Is it Possible to Deny Limited Atonement and Still Believe in Unconditional Election?
• The Canons of Dordt