Dr. Couch, is there any theological reason for the rejection of Limited Atonement among traditional dispensationalists?
ANSWER: Before answering I need to tell a true story. Some years ago I was in a
Reformed pastor’s office. He said, "Yes, I have many dispensational
friends. And you know, they are all textual." I answered back, "Well,
isn’t that what being a pastor is all about? Going into the biblical
text and sharing it with the congregation?" He went brain dead and
didn’t say another word!
Since most solid, strong dispensational are "textual" they are better
able to exegete the Scriptures, and guess what, Limited Atonement cannot
be supported, no matter what Calvin said. In research I found most
interesting that most of the old Calvinists I admire did not support the
doctrine. They said what I say, "Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for
all the world, but applied only to the elect." The world could come to
Christ, but Total Depravity kicks in. None will of themselves come to
Him! Therefore He must elect those who will be His own from among "the
all" who will not believe from within themselves.
Some years ago I had a friend who holds a Th.D. as I do, and who was
toying with Limited Atonement. I said, "What do you do with 1 John 2:2?"
"He Himself is a propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but
also for those of the whole world."
Seems pretty simple to me. In five minutes he had changed his mind. The
Calvinist William Hendriksen, whom I admire, who writes, "Of all men God
is the Savior, but of some men, namely, believers, he is the Savior in a
deeper, more glorious sense than he is of others. This clearly implies
that when he is called the Savior of all men, this cannot mean that he
imparts to all everlasting life, as he does to believers." (His
Thessalonian commentary, p. 154)
Calvinist Ellicott writes, "Christ’s redemption was offered for the
whole of mankind, from Adam to the last man. Who lay hold of the
redemption must be determined on other considerations [such as by the
doctrine of election]." (Commentary, 8:476) And even Calvin in his
commentary on 1 Timothy 2:1-6 said, "Paul demonstrates that God has at
heart the salvation of all, because he invites all to the knowledge of
the truth." (21:54)
The Calvinist Kistemaker writes, "We can say that the atoning death of
Christ is sufficient for all people but efficient for all true
believers." (2 Corinthians commentary, p. 288)
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
