This post is one of several that I will be writing concerning the extent of the atonement.

Let me start this session off with a the problem that I am facing.  A recent trend in the SBC shows that many of our recent seminary graduates are becoming more and more reformed.  Now, this may bring you great consternation or it just might be what you think the SBC needs (a return to her Particular Baptist roots…no, Southern Baptists do not originate from the Anabaptists…Butch, I mean Ergun Caner).  This trend is nothing to hide from.  Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss the theological issues at hand.  And I cannot think of a more difficult or explosive doctrine than the “L” in TULIP.  So, without further delay, let’s jump into the extent of the atonement!   Is the atonement of Christ limited or is it universal and what are the ramifications?

POST #1- Lets simply start out with some questions to help us think through the issue…

1- What does the atonement INTEND to accomplish?  Does the atonement accomplish something or does it merely make something possible?  When you respond, you need to back your argument up with Scripture.

2- Does the atonement accomplish its INTENT?

3- For WHOM does CHrist die?  Does He die for all (meaning every single person in the history of the universe) or does He die for all (meaning His church, His people, his bride, His elect…)?

4- Can any of those people, for whom Christ died, NOT have the work of Christ applied to them?

5- In the words of Murray, you really have three options.  1) Christ died for all of the sins of all of the people 2) Christ died for some of the sins of all of the people, OR 3) Christ died for all of the sins for some of the people.

Well, which is it?

THis is merely the first post in this subject.  The goal is to get us thinking biblically about the subject.

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