Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 09:26 (Mar 2005)
Article: Christ’s Atonement: Its Purpose and Extent, Part 1
Author: Paul Martin Henebury

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CTJ 9:26 (March 2005) p. 87

Christ’s Atonement: Its Purpose and Extent, Part 1

Paul Martin Henebury

Assistant Prof. Of Theology & Apologetics

Tyndale Seminary

Abstract

Intimately entwined within the question as to the extent of Christ’s death on the Cross is the discussion concerning what this event actually achieved. In other words, what was its purpose? The author proves, by means of logic and a proper exegesis of the relevant passages, that Jesus died for every individual, yet that does not inevitably lead to the conclusion that all will be saved.

Introduction

In any study of the extent of Christ’s atoning work, one will quickly come to realize that in order to study the question correctly, one must come to terms with the issue of the purpose of the atonement. This, in turn, involves some understanding of a number of other crucial elements of theology (e.g. the Decrees, God’s love, etc.). A proper understanding of the Biblical teaching on the purpose and extent of the atonement, and of the views of those limited redemptionists with whom we differ, depends, to a large extent upon our understanding of how the text of Scripture is approached. In my role as a teacher of theological students I have more than once encountered real misunderstanding and confusion, especially among some dispensationalists, of how the Reformed (5-Point) and Dispensational positions differ. In order to present an argument for the thesis that Christ’s death made all men “savable,” I shall be interfacing with the work of several teachers of the view called “Limited (or Definite) Atonement”1 throughout this paper.

CTJ 9:26 (March 2005) p. 88

The Necessity of Atonement

A Pre-Planned Rescue

We know why the atonement was necessary. The Scriptures confront us with the doleful truth that mankind is a fallen creature, under the thrall of sin (Rom. 5:21), and that Adam’s sin plunged the whole earth into a cursed estate (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12f). It is not hard to conclude that if we are to have any hope of escaping God’s judgment on our sin, help must come from outside. The “Good News” is the truth that help has to come -from the Judge Himself (Rom. 3:26).

It would be a mistake to suppose that mankind’s need for a Savior caught God by surprise. God, in His foreknowledge, knew that man would fall. That is why we read such statements as these in the New Testament: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not rede...

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