Limited atonement

Limited atonement (also called definite atonement^[1] or particular redemption) is a doctrine accepted in some Christian theological traditions. It is particularly associated with the Reformed tradition and is one of the five points of Calvinism. The doctrine states that though the death of Jesus Christ is sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world,^[2] it was the intention of God the Father that the atonement of Christ's death would work itself out in only the elect, thereby leading them without fail to salvation. According to Limited Atonement, Christ died for the sins of the elect alone, and no atonement was provided for the reprobate.^[3] This is in contrast to a belief that God's prevenient grace (or "enabling grace") enables all to respond to the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ ^{Acts 2:21} so that it is each person's decision and response to God's grace that determines whether Christ's atonement will be effective to that individual. A modified form of the doctrine also exists in Molinism.^[4]

^ Sproul, R. C. (April 8, 2017). "TULIP and Reformed Theology: Limited Atonement". Ligonier Ministries. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021. I prefer not to use the term limited atonement because it is misleading. I rather speak of definite redemption or definite atonement, which communicates that God the Father designed the work of redemption specifically with a view to providing salvation for the elect, and that Christ died for His sheep and laid down His life for those the Father had given to Him.
^ "Canons of Dort". Second Head: Article 3. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^ Cite error: The named reference dort was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Lashley, James Douglas (2013-05-22). Calvinism, Arminianism, or Another Option: A Hubmaierian/Molinist View of Soteriology. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1490323961.

[1] Sproul, R. C. (April 8, 2017). "TULIP and Reformed Theology: Limited Atonement". Ligonier Ministries. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021. I prefer not to use the term limited atonement because it is misleading. I rather speak of definite redemption or definite atonement, which communicates that God the Father designed the work of redemption specifically with a view to providing salvation for the elect, and that Christ died for His sheep and laid down His life for those the Father had given to Him.

[dort2.3-2] "Canons of Dort". Second Head: Article 3. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)

[dort-3] Cite error: The named reference dort was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[4] Lashley, James Douglas (2013-05-22). Calvinism, Arminianism, or Another Option: A Hubmaierian/Molinist View of Soteriology. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1490323961.

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Atonement in Christianity
Part of a series on

Theories Classic paradigm
Ransom (Patristic)
Christus Victor (20th century)
Recapitulation (Patristic) Objective paradigm
Satisfaction (Scholastic / Anselmian)
Penal substitution (Scholastic / Reformed / Arminian)
Governmental (Arminian) Subjective paradigm
Moral influence (Mixed)
Moral example (Socinian)

Types
Limited (Scholastic / Reformed)
Unlimited (Amyraldism / Arminianism / Protestantism)
See also
Christian universalism
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Limited atonement

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