One of the foundational elements of Calvinism is the belief that the Atonement is Limited in “scope”, that Jesus’ sacrifice only atones for the sins of those He has chosen to save. However, they do not limit the Atonement in “effect” believing that the Atonement fully accomplishes the salvation of those who Jesus died for. It is because of the Atonement that the saved come to faith. Salvation is thus completely by grace through the Atonement for those whom God chooses to save, and those whom God chooses to save will eventually come to faith, but God does not choose to save everyone. Thus the Atonement is Limited in Scope.
For the Calvinist the Atonement is like a life-guard rescuing a few drowning people out of a sea full of drowning people. Though the person being rescued is unconscious or out of his mind with fear, the life-guard overpowers the person and pulls him to safety. Of course though, most are not saved.
What many people fail to recognize is that Arminianism also believes in Limited Atonement. Instead of limiting the Atonement in “Scope” though, Arminianism limits the Atonement in “Effect” believing that the Atonement does NOT fully accomplish the salvation of those who Jesus died for. The Atonement only makes salvation available for those who qualify for salvation through obedient faith in Christ. Salvation is not completely by grace because of the Atonement but requires a response of obedient faith on our part. Thus for the Arminianist the Atonement is Limited in Effect. The Atonement doesn’t actually save anyone; rather, it only makes salvation available.
For the Arminianist the Atonement is like a life-guard throwing a floatation ring to many drowning people. Sadly though, the unconscious or those out of their minds with fear of death do not grab the life-line and thus end up drowning. Of course, some don’t realize they are drowning until it is too late. And even sadder still are the ones who never have an opportunity to grab the life-ring because no one ever throws them one.
Calvinism and Arminianism both Limit the Atonement! Calvinism limits the Atonement in Scope and Arminianism limits the Atonement in Effect. But does scripture limit the Atonement in either scope or effect? I do not believe it does. Let’s look at a few scriptures that speak of the Universality of the Atonement, starting with what Jesus said concerning His own death.
John 12:30-32
30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Note the universality of this statement. Apparently Jesus believed that through His death He would actually “draw all” unto Himself.” And Paul picks up this theme repeatedly stating such in his writings, as in the following.
Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Notice the repetition of the phrase “all things”. “All things” were created by Christ and for Christ; and “all things” are reconciled to Him through his blood shed on the cross. Apokatallasso, means to “to reconcile completely, to reconcile back again, bring back a former state of harmony ”, “to remove all enmity and leave no impediment to unity and peace ”. Eirenopoieo, means “to make peace, establish harmony.”
Also note the mention of creation. What is it that we are brought back to? What former state of harmony are we brought back to? The Garden of Eden, Paradise, what humanity was created for in the beginning is what we are brought back to. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and through the Atonement Jesus brings back everything in heaven and on earth to Himself, brings us all back to our intended former state of harmony with God in Eden!
Ephesians 1:7-10
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Note the universality of the Atonement in this passage which notes God’s stated intended purpose of bringing all things in heaven and on earth under the headship of Christ! Apolutrosis, “AV translates as “redemption” nine times, and “deliverance” once, 1 a releasing effected by payment of ransom, 1A redemption, deliverance, 1B liberation procured by the payment of a ransom.” It is because we are forgiven in heaven, redeemed by the blood of Christ in the eternal, that we can now embrace such on earth in the temporal through faith! It is because of the grace of God that we, all of humanity, stand forgiven; and God lavishes such on us by giving us understanding into this wonderful mystery that He purposed in Christ!
1 Timothy 2:1-6
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.
Note the universality of the Atonement in this passage. God not only wants all to be saved, He has “ransomed” all through the sacrifice of Christ. Ransom, antilutron, “what is given in exchange for another as the price of his redemption, ” a redemption-price, the means of liberation. Jesus exchanged himself for us, for all of humanity. Recognizing that Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all of humanity is the foundation from which we pray for everyone to experience this freedom now, in the present.
Also notice verse 4, what is translated as “wants” might be better translated as “will have”; thelo “to will, have in mind, intend, to be resolved or determined, to purpose. ” God purposes to have all humanity to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth, so He gave Jesus as a ransom for all humanity as the means of liberation for all humanity.
Romans 5:18
“Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”
In this passage, Paul compares the effect of the sin of Adam with the effect of the sacrifice of Christ. Adam’s sin effected condemnation and death for all of humanity; even Jesus suffered condemnation and death though He had no sin of His own. In like manner, the sacrifice of Christ effects justification and life for all humanity! In fact, the Atonement is greater than the sin of Adam because not only does the sacrifice of Christ atone for Adam’s sin, but it atones for all the sins of all humanity including Adam’s. The Atonement is far greater than the sin of Adam!
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
God does not count, recon, hold our sins against us! In fact, God in Jesus was “reconciling” the world, the kosmos, the universe, to Himself. It is on this basis that we participate in the ministry of Christ, that we as believers participate in this ministry of reconciliation, that we implore others to go ahead and be reconciled to God now! It is because we all are reconciled to God in heaven, in the eternal, that we seek the reconciliation of all on earth, in the temporal. And we pray, “Your kingdom come on earth as it IS in heaven!”
Scripture repeatedly affirms that the Atonement is NOT limited in either scope or effect; the Atonement is universal in scope and effect, redeeming and reconciling all to God, ultimately restoring all back into harmony with God as it was in Eden! This is truly Good News! Hallelujah!
For the Universalist the Atonement is like a life-guard rescuing everyone who is drowning. Some people respond to life-rings and other floatation devices thrown to them, choosing salvation. On the other hand, though a person is unconscious, out of his mind with fear, the life-guard overpowers him and pulls him to safety – ultimately saving all who were drowning. Not one mother’s son or father’s daughter shall be lost – because God loves all of humanity and gave His only son as a ransom, redeeming us all from the bondage of sin and Satan! Jesus is the Good Shepherd that searches until every sheep is found!
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