The Atonement

The intention and purpose of God in the design of the atonement is one of the most hotly debated doctrines of the Christian, that is, reformed, faith, or of true biblical religion.  It is also one of the most difficult in the whole range of Calvinistic theology.[1]  Yet it is a doctrine that lies at the very heart of the Christian Gospel and of world mission, and one that must be understood if the authentic biblical Gospel is to be declared.  When addressing this issue, scholars must be aware of the theological or spiritual arrogance that can arise and be conscious that anyone who cannot see objections to our views, would but betray the shallowness of his thinking and knowledge.[2]  

Because of our limited human understanding of God’s ways, we ought to be most cautious about being overly confident of our own viewpoints on such a controversial doctrine.  Debate on this dogma has provoked much controversy since post-reformation days, and that controversy is still a hotly debated one right into the twenty-first century.  What God’s plan for the redemption of the world[3] is (and even this is a contested phrase that was used by John Calvin (1509-1564)) finds no agreement within sections of the Christian Church and community, nor indeed (and sadly) within the Reformed Christian constituency.

But the fact that there is an ongoing discussion over this issue within reformed circles highlights one very important thing: that this crucially important and central doctrine of the Christian faith simply cannot be ignored by any who want to come to a fuller understanding of the faith.  Nor can it be ignored by any who are committed to the “Gospel of God”[4] and its propagation throughout the whole world.  Those whose deep concern is for the salvation of lost sinners know that only the death and resurrection of Christ, and a personal faith response to that atoning sacrificial death, can save their souls from eternal damnation and to eternal bliss.

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[1]   Dabney, 1871/1985:518.

[2]   Dabney, 1871;1985:519.

[3]   Cited in A. C. Clifford, Calvinus.  (Charenton Reformed Publishing, Norfolk, 2007), 30 - Calvin’s Sermons on Christ’s Passion, p.95; Calvinus, p. 33, Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, pp. 102, 103.  See also, Calvin’s Sermons on Ephesians, where he preaches, “...Christ is in a general view the redeemer of the world, yet his death and passion are of no advantage to any but such as receive that which St. Paul shows here.”  p.55.

[4]   Rom.1:1.