Posted on 02/10/2023 9:57:22 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Pastor John MacArthur has been preaching God’s Word for more than 50 years at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. And while most of his teaching is sound, a couple ideas he promotes are rejected by many discerning followers of Christ.
MacArthur's controversial teaching on Lordship Salvation has been addressed by numerous people over the years, myself included. The prominent pastor also espouses the disturbing theory of limited atonement, which states that Jesus did not die on the cross for everyone, but only for believers.
During a Q&A three years ago, a woman asked Pastor MacArthur, “Did Jesus die for the sins of the world, or only for those who were predestined?”
MacArthur pointed to 1 John 2:2, which declares: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Even though this passage clearly refutes the theory of Limited Atonement, MacArthur surprisingly used it as an illogical jumping off point to make his case. Go figure.
MacArthur asked her, “Was Christ's death an actual atonement or a potential one?” “Actual,” she said, and he responded, “Yeah. So if it was an actual atonement, then it actually provided atonement for someone, not no one.”
Notice what MacArthur does next as he sets up a straw man argument, only to then refute a position many Bible-believing Christians already know to be false.
He said, “If you believe that Jesus provided an atonement for every human being who ever lived, then everyone goes to Heaven, right?”
The straw man argument further clouded his case for limited atonement.
MacArthur then dug himself into an even deeper hole by stating, “If he actually died for everyone in the world, everyone goes to Heaven, because that’s an actual atonement. But since we know that’s not true, because there is a Hell, and many are headed to Hell, we know that he didn’t actually die for everyone.”
This troubling conclusion is patently false. Pastor MacArthur’s misguided conjecture does nothing to dislodge the rock-solid certainty of unlimited atonement.
Jesus did in fact die for every sinner, regardless of who refuses to accept this precious biblical doctrine. Tragically, many people will spend eternity in Hell, but the reality of Hell in no way corroborates the pastor's opinion that Jesus “didn’t actually die for everyone.”
MacArthur then characterized unlimited atonement this way: “So you could conclude that he didn’t actually die for anyone, he potentially died for everyone; in other words, he had sort of a potential atonement that the sinner activates by faith.”
The fact that Jesus died on the cross for everyone does not in turn mean that people “activate” a “potential atonement” by believing the Gospel. It is yet another straw man MacArthur sets up in defense of his untenable theory. Christians believe the good news of the Gospel, and through faith in Christ are granted forgiveness of sins and the free gift of everlasting life in Heaven which Jesus purchased on the cross.
I made the following point in a 2011 CP op-ed: “Like millions of believers today, I find passages in Scripture that describe Jesus dying for his sheep. (see John 10:15) I find other passages which describe Jesus dying for everyone in the world (see Hebrews 2:9). And I find still other passages stating Christ died for his sheep, AND for all people in the world (1 John 2:2). But I do not find so much as one passage in God's inerrant Word which says Christ died ONLY for his sheep.”
Peter wrote, “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). It was an actual atonement “for all.” And yet many people who hear the Gospel reject it, as described in Hebrews 4:2: “The message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”
The renowned Bible commentator, Albert Barnes (1798-1870), was a Presbyterian pastor. “Despite being from a Calvinist denomination, he was a proponent of unlimited atonement.” Barnes pointed to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all…”
Barnes explained: “The phrase ‘for all’ (huper panton) obviously means for all mankind; for every man. This is an exceedingly important expression in regard to the extent of the atonement which the Lord Jesus made.”
Scripture reveals that Christ’s death atoned “for the sins of the whole world,” (1 John 2:2) and that the benefits of the atonement are applied individually when a sinner turns to God in repentance and relies upon Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness and salvation. The fact that many choose to reject the Messiah in no way diminishes the Savior's all-sufficient sacrifice, or the unlimited nature of the atonement.
“God is the Savior of all men, and especially those who believe,” (1 Timothy 4:10) and “God our Savior wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). In addition, “the Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
You see, it is absolutely true! “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16). Celebrating the Lord's infinite love and amazing grace brings glory to God!
The spectacular doctrine of Christ’s unlimited atonement, along with God’s merciful desire that all be saved, are reflective of God’s nature, God’s glory and God’s love for lost sinners.
“Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
And since the personal perspectives of pastors are not infallible, it is imperative that we always evaluate theological assertions in light of God’s Word.
Thankfully, “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.
“So you could conclude that he didn’t actually die for anyone, he potentially died for everyone; in other words, he had sort of a potential atonement that the sinner activates by faith.”Jesus died for everyone, but if you don't accept His offer of Salvation, you don't go to heaven (ergo, you wasted your Salvation).
You were invited to the Party but you refused to go.
This is the kind of discussion that is not useful. Jesus’ admonishment to Peter about not worrying about what happens to John applies to this subject. It only matters that Jesus died for my sins, and that He has covered my inequity with His righteousness. Jesus told us and Peter, Paul and John reiterated that this salvation is available to anyone who believes in Jesus and follows his commandments.
Jesus also told us that the road to Perdition was wide and the path to salvation was narrow. This is the Gospel that needs to be preached. It is a Gospel of individual salvation and not a gospel of collective anything.
There is NO such thing as “Universal” atonement. That is in fact, false doctrine.
thx for the post.
not to denigrate MacArthur myself, God forgiven sinners though he and all of us certainly are, this man of God has certainly produced much fruit and i can’t argue with that.
but, i do like and adhere strictly to one theological principle in the article, illustrated by the following:
“...But I do not find so much as one passage in God’s inerrant Word which says Christ died ONLY for his sheep.”
—and here is a very important and humble approach to interpreting God’s Word i’ve also found very useful. if you can’t find a positive, unequivocal statement in the Bible supporting your or anyone’s theological statement about God, it’s best to reject a ‘limited’ interpretation and take the broader interpretation that is supported by the all such related statements in the Bible.
further more, if you can construct an unambiguous statement of your proposed theological position (as was done here) and can’t then find it stated in one or several unqualified statements in the Bible, you are might be wrong in your proposed summary statement and certainly shouldn’t promote your statement as the Word of God to others. even that ability (close reading) is of course an ability or gift of the Spirit requiring a degree experience and discernment all on it’s own.
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The atonement must be available to all, whether they avail themselves of it or not, otherwise, God's command to all men everywhere to repent without providing the means to allow for it, makes God well, you can fill in the blanks.
The other reason is, that is there is sin somewhere in this universe that is unatoned for, then there is sin which still has power over people. By dying for ALL sin, then all sin is rendered powerless.
Also, just because Jesus paid for all sin, does not by default mean salvation is forced onto those who refuse to come to God.
Yes, no one can come to God except He calls and enlightens, but all throughout Scripture God tells us to choose. He made the sovereign choice to let us make the final decision. Otherwise His command to choose you this day whom to serve, is a mockery.
18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
This argument is engaged by those who believe that cultural Christianity and/or membership in a designated church makes one eligible for atonement.
I have heard Maccarthur speak on free will vs predestination and he explained it as a mystery that we can’t reconcile though they both are true. I see predestination taught in scripture but also the truth of making a choice. Phillipians 2:12,13
There it is.
He ignores the last half of John 3:16....”and whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
He died for all of us and 3:16 makes it an open invitation. Not everyone will take him up on his offer but the invitation is open to all.
It’s why I’ll never embrace full on Calvinism but I’m not full on Arminianist either. I think the two camps need to include the notion the constancy of the presence of God that supercedes what is past, present and will be future. When they do, I think the gaps that divide both camps will be bridged. Christ says...I AM Last I AM first. It points to a nowness, a constancy of chronological as well as the locational omnipresence of the Godhead. What was past is still being written in the present, no matter what era an individual finds himself in. There were things ordained from the founding of the world, yet The Godhead is still yet present in that time, in this time, and in the time to come. That is why “Now is the accepted time for salvation.” Even when Abraham “was” as it relates to where we are in linear time presently, Christ is still Now(”I Am”)! Sure, there is a fixed time in our experiential perspective that God will pull the rug out from under everything including linear space time, for the final judgment, but we don’t exist in that nowness yet.(Yet Christ is already there now, either inscribing or blotting out names in his Book as he was already there from the founding of the world)
Scripture is true but we fight over various “predestination” sections because we don’t really study, not just the times we are in but “time” itself and how God molds time like so much plastic and he has done so, that souls might be saved and redeemed to him! He’ll shake the heavens and Earth, all of matter/space, and time to save souls and show his mighty glory! Alas we know from the Bible that many still won’t be found in the Book of Life.
(I was reading where Calvin had a man executed for disagreeing with his 5 points, and I thought why? I suppose he thought the man he had executed had ideas that Calvin saw was a threat to protestants at the time. Later the Methodists would split from Calvinism)
Charles Spurgeon’s sermon # 1516 is the best presentation about this subject.
https://www.thekingdomcollective.com/spurgeon/sermon/1516/
Simple and straightforward. After reading thus, there is no excuse for arguing for limited atonement.
The huge problems for hyper-Calvinists is their claim that if any point of TULIP us not true, then none of them can be true.
Sounds like MacArthur picks too fine a nit. He seems to be saying: “So if you have sinners who will go to hell, then it proves that there is limited atonement as not all folks will be saved but those of a fortunate number will be saved.” He’s trying to justify a rigid Calvinist approach and trying to shore up Calvinism’s weaker planks.
So, if men are blinded to the truth by the god of this world, does God hold them responsible for their blindness? Consider Saul of Tarsus who believed he was doing God's will by persecuting and killing Christians. He didn't come to the knowledge of the truth through men preaching the gospel to him. No, he was knocked off his horse, blinded and then a resurrected Jesus spoke to him. That's what it took to bring Paul to the light. I ask myself, "Why doesn't Jesus knock everyone off their horse, blind them and speak to them?"
Why does the Lord use extraordinary measures to reach some people but not others? I don't have an answer.
Christians are called to preach the gospel of truth and grace. That's it! - Shalom!
I think God gives everyone at least one clear opportunity to make a decision for him in their lives. Well, anyone old enough to be accountable. Babies dying is a different matter.
But some people just need stronger persuasion than others. I didn’t need to be knocked off a horse to get my attention. Paul did. Whatever it takes is what I believe God will use.
Then problem I see with the limited atonement theology is that it almost makes God a capricious, reluctant Savior. What I see in Scripture, including reading the OT books like Jeremiah, is that God WANTS to save people. ALL of them.
The amount of time spend and opportunities given to the Israelites to repent and turn before He finally brings down judgment is amazing.
The whole message of Scripture is repent, turn from sin and TO GOD, and be saved. Simply turning from sin doesn’t by default save anyone. Even sinners can turn from sin that they see harming them. But turning TO God is a different thing.
Which is essentially what Jesus said about the wedding feast.
Very true. Love that parable.
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