The Nature And Extent Of The Atonement In Lutheran Theology -- By: David P. Scaer

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 10:4 (Fall 1967)
Article: The Nature And Extent Of The Atonement In Lutheran Theology
Author: David P. Scaer


The Nature And Extent Of The Atonement In Lutheran Theology

David Scaer, Th.D.

I. The Problem

The conflict concerning the nature and extent of the atonement arose in Christian theology because of attempts to reconcile rationally apparently conflicting statements in the Holy Scriptures on the atonement and election. Briefly put, passages relating to the atonement are universal in scope including all men and those, relating to election apply only to a limited number. Basically there have been three approaches to this tension between a universal atonement and a limited election. One approach is to understand the atonement in light of the election. Since obviously there are many who are not eventually saved, the atonement offered by Christ really applied not to them but only to those who are finally saved, i.e., the elect. This is the Calvinistic or Reformed view. The second approach understands the election in light of the atonement. This view credits each individual with the ability to make a choice of his own free will to believe in Christ. Since Christ died for all men and since man is responsible for his own damnation, therefore he at least cooperates with the Holy Spirit in coming to faith. This is the Arminian or synergistic view, also widely held in Methodism. The third view is that of classical Lutheran theology. This position as set down in the Formula of Concord (1580) does not attempt to resolve what the Holy Scriptures state concerning atonement and election. For Lutheran theology the atonement is universal and the election is limited to certain individuals chosen by God in Christ without any respect to any work or merit on their part. Concerning the atonement, the Formula of Concord states: 1

...we must in every way hold firmly and sturdily to this, that, as the preaching of repentance, so also the promise of the Gospel is universalis, that is, it pertains to all men, Luke 24:47. For this reason Christ has commanded ‘that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.’ ‘For God loved the world and gave His Son,’ John 3:16. Christ bore the sins of the world, John 1:29, gave His flesh for the life of the world, John 6:51; His blood is ‘the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,’ 1 John 1:7; 2:2. Christ says: ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’ Matt. 11:28. ‘God hath concluded them all in unbelief t...

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