Limited Atonement

Definition and Meaning

Limited atonement is the doctrine that the atonement of Jesus Christ (His paying the penalty for sin in the place of others so as to reconcile them to God) was intended for those whom God chose to save (the elect) and is certainly effective for them. Because the word "limited" can be misunderstood to mean that the value of Christ's death is somehow insufficient, its proponents often prefer the terms particular redemption or definite atonement. It is counted among the five points of Calvinism.

Those who hold this doctrine commonly explain that "Christ's death is sufficient to save the whole world, but efficient only for the elect." The opposing position, universal atonement, holds that Christ died for all people and that the effect of His death is realized in those who receive it by faith.

Biblical Background

Proponents of limited atonement cite John 10:11 and 10:15, where Christ lays down His life "for the sheep"; Matthew 1:21, which says that "he shall save his people from their sins"; and Ephesians 5:25, which says that Christ gave Himself for the church. Proponents of universal atonement cite 1 John 2:2, which calls Christ "the propitiation... for the sins of the whole world"; John 1:29, which speaks of "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world"; and 1 Timothy 2:6, which says that Christ "gave himself a ransom for all." The two sides interpret the scope of "world" and "all" in these passages differently.

Historical Background

The doctrine took definite shape in the seventeenth-century controversy over predestination in the Netherlands. When the Remonstrants, followers of Jacobus Arminius, advocated universal atonement, the Reformed churches convened the Synod of Dort (1618–1619) and adopted the Canons of Dort. The Canons confess that Christ's death is of infinite value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world, while holding that its saving efficacy extends to the elect. The Westminster Confession of Faith also incorporates this position, stating in effect that none but the elect are redeemed by Christ. Scholars have long debated whether John Calvin himself taught this doctrine. Modified views are also known to have existed within the Reformed tradition, such as hypothetical universalism, which holds that Christ's death was in some respect for all people.

By contrast, Arminianism and Wesleyan theology advocate universal atonement, and Lutheranism likewise teaches that Christ's death was for all people.

Practice in Korean Churches

Most Korean Presbyterian denominations have adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith as their doctrinal standard and therefore officially hold to particular redemption. The doctrine is taught with particular clarity in denominations and seminaries that strongly emphasize a Reformed identity. How much the doctrine is actually emphasized from the pulpit, however, varies from church to church and from pastor to pastor.

Methodist, Holiness, and Nazarene churches, as well as churches in the Full Gospel tradition, follow the Wesleyan tradition in teaching universal atonement—that Christ died for all people—and also emphasize prevenient grace (grace given to all people prior to salvation). Among Baptists, positions have historically been divided between Particular Baptists and General Baptists, and views still vary today by church and theologian.

This difference also arises in the context of evangelism. Even among those who hold to limited atonement, there is general agreement that the gospel should be proclaimed to all people without distinction, but opinions differ over whether it is appropriate to say, "Jesus died for you." The differences among denominations as a whole are treated as part of the broader debate over predestination and free will.