The Extent of the Atonement THE THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF DEFINITE ATONEMENT
Review of Atonement Theories -an aspect of Him restoring our humanity (Irenaeus: Recapitulation) -a ransom payment to the Devil for our release (Origen: Ransom) -compensation for not honouring God as we ought (Anselm: Satisfaction) -God s way of showing that we shouldn t live in fear of Him, but should walk in the way of Jesus (Abelard: Moral-Example) -a means of earning extra righteousness that we can get through the sacraments of the Church to work out our own justification (Aquinas: Modified Satisfaction) -an example of selfless love and obedience to the Father that we should emulate (Socinus: Example) -a demonstration that God upholds His law while offering forgiveness to those who trust in Jesus (Grotius: Governmental) -somehow freed us from Satan s sin-inducing power so that we don t have to sin anymore (Aulén/Boyd: Christus Victor) -was a tragic, but purposeless end to a man who had a faith that we ought to strive to emulate (Theological liberalism: Non- Atonement)
Two sides to the debate Limited atonement The benefits of Christ s death is effective for a specific people Unlimited atonement The benefits of Christ s death is available for all, but effective for no one specifically
John Piper it becomes evident that it is not the Calvinist who limits the atonement. It is those who deny that the atoning death of Christ accomplishes what we most desperately need namely, salvation from the condition of deadness and hardness and blindness under the wrath of God. They limit the power and effectiveness of the atonement so that they can say that it was accomplished even for those who die in unbelief and are condemned. In order to say that Christ died for all men in the same way, they must limit the atonement to a possibility or an opportunity for salvation if fallen humans can escape from their deadness and rebellion and obtain faith by an effectual means not provided by the cross.
John Piper On the other hand, we do not limit the power and effectiveness of the atonement. Rather we say that in the cross, God had in view the actual, effective redemption of his children from all that would destroy them, including their own unbelief. And we affirm that when Christ died particularly for his bride, he did not simply create a possibility or an opportunity for salvation, but really purchased and infallibly secured for them all that is necessary to get them saved, including the grace of regeneration and the gift of faith.
Loraine Boettner For the Calvinist it is like a narrow bridge which goes all the way across the stream; for the Arminian it is like a great wide bridge, which goes only half-way across.
Carol Trueman that Christ s mediatorial work be set within its larger contexts: the biblical context of sacrifice and intercession rooted in the OT; and the theological context of the Trinitarian economy of salvation. The blunt question, For whom did Christ die?, is perfectly legitimate, but the answer arises out of a host of interconnected Biblical and theological themes
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Hermeneutical Principles Type and Anti-Type OT people/events treated as types in the NT: Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; Acts 7:44; Romans 5:14 1. Types are symbols that are historical and textual 2. Types are divinely intended to instill in God s people the hope of future fulfillment 3. Types are always inferior to the antitype
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Hermeneutical Principles The Covenant context of the priesthood at the heart of the covenant relationship is the reality that God dwells with his people. But given the biblical portrayal of God as personal, holy, and just, how can he dwell with his people without ultimately bringing judgment upon them? How can the Lord live among his people without destroying them by the flame of his holiness?...god can be our covenant God only by the provision of the priesthood, tabernacle, and entire sacrificial system (see Lev. 17:11). God can establish his covenant, given our sin, only by the blood of the covenant, the provision of his grace
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Hermeneutical Principles The Covenant context of the priesthood In order to understand the nature of Christ s priestly work, including its intent/design, it must be viewed in the light of covenantal structures, particularly the new covenant.
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Hermeneutical Principles The Covenant context of the priesthood The New Covenant is clearly the context or framework of the work of Jesus Christ. The work of Jesus Christ has no saving power divorced from the New Covenant Jesus whole work was a covenant work; His blood covenant blood, His priesthood covenant priesthood, His office as Mediator a covenant office. The question about the scope, extent, or design of the death of Christ ought not to be answered, therefore, without reference to this covenant.
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement The Old Covenant Priest Hebrews 5:1: For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins Selected from among the people of the covenant Appointed to represent a particular people before God the covenant people His representation pertained specifically to the sin of the people before a holy God
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Christ, the New Covenant Priest Christ was made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of god, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Christ, the New Covenant Priest Christ was appointed to represent a specific people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. (Revelation 5:9)
Christ s Role as High Priest of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Christ, the New Covenant Priest Christ represents a people to atone for the sins of the people of the New Covenant
Hebrews 9:11-14 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement For what did Christ die? Luke 22:19, 20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Jeremiah 31:31-34 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Jeremiah 32:39-41 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Ezekiel 11:19, 20 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 36:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Deuteronomy 30:6 The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
John Piper in the new covenant God promises that he will take the initiative and will create a new heart, so that people are made members of the new covenant by his initiative, not their own. If someone enjoys participation in the new covenant with all its blessings, it is because God forgave his iniquity, removed his heart of stone, gave him a tender heart of flesh that fears and loves God, and caused him to walk in his statutes. In other words, the new covenant promises regeneration. It promises to create faith and love and obedience where before there was only hardness.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement For whom did Christ die? John Piper all the promises of the new covenant are blood-bought promises. When they come true for us they come true because Jesus died to make them come true. This means that the particular promises of the new covenant to create a people of God and keep a people of God are what Jesus died for.
The Content of the New Covenant and Definite Atonement Implication If Christ s death initiates the New Covenant and faith is a God-given distinguishing mark of being part of that covenant, then Christ died for a particular people within whom He gives a new heart.
John Piper All the benefits that his death secured for his people. The sure and all-satisfying experience of the electing, regenerating, faithcreating, justifying, sanctifying, preserving, glorifying love of God. Every blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). All the promises of God (2 Cor. 1:20). All things working together for their good (Rom. 8:28). No good thing withheld (Ps. 84:11). And in the end, sinless and all-satisfying fellowship with God (1 Pet. 3:18). This is the gospel offer. And it cannot be offered like this where its definite and irreversible achievement for God s people is not believed. The glory of our human offer in preaching is the glory of Christ s full achieving in dying.