Limited atonement of the five tenets of calvinism

Limited Atonement
Of the five tenets of Calvinism, limited atonement is perhaps the most controversial.
Limited atonement refers to the salvation that is available only to the limited people that were
predetermined to be saved by the Father. Calvinists believed that Jesus would not “waste” His
blood on those who are fated for destruction (Proverbs 16:9).
32
They referred to verses such as
John 10:14-16 and John 6:44, 65 to explain that Jesus knows who has been chosen by the Father
and who has not been chosen.
33
In the Calvinists opinion, it would be a waste of time to atone for
the sins of the condemned. For them, there was no salvation.
Irresistible Grace
This fourth doctrine of Calvinism summarizes God’s graciousness. Calvinists use this
tenet to support the idea that without God, mankind would be destroyed. In addition, they offered
a solution, and that is for the “dead” to turn their hearts to God which will, in turn, affect their
31 Ibid., 135.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid., 135-136.

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inner spirits (Jeremiah 31:31-34). 34 Boyd and Eddy add that “God’s grace is irresistible because
God changes the will of those who would otherwise resist it.
35
Perseverance of the Saints
This tenet is sometimes referred to as the reassuring tenet or the doctrine of “eternal
security.”
36
Perseverance of the saints affected those whose hearts have been turned toward God,
they have a love for Him, and have His irresistible grace. It explains that these individuals will
go through trials and tribulations, so they must persevere in their beliefs in order to gain their
reward in Heaven. 37
In summary, the “New Testament teaching on salvation begins with the grim but realistic
teaching of the total depravity of humans and ends with the glorious proclamation of the eternal
security of the believer.” 38 The introduction and acceptance of the TULIP to Calvinism in 1619
was a landmark in the growth of the reformed church. It also meant the condemning of
Arminianism as heretical.
39
Calvin’s Effect on Modern Christian Church
34 Ibid., 136.
35 Ibid.
36 Ibid.
37 Ibid.
38 Ibid.
39 Gonzalez, 233.

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Today it is believed that many churches are adopting Calvinistic ideals and theology. One
of the main bodies of churches involved in this adoption is the Southern Baptist Convention
churches.
Collin Hansen wrote a recent article titled “Young, Restless and Reformed: Calvinism is
Making a Comeback and Shaking Up the Church.”
40
This was published in Christianity Today
and focused on young Baptist ministers and the rebirth of Calvinism and Reformation among
them. While the resurgence among Baptists may not be as radical as the Arminians in 1619, it is
creating quite a similar division and impact.
But not all Calvinisms are created equal. According to Allen and Lemke, “various types
of Calvinism appear as a result of many Calvinisms rather than one monolithic ‘Calvinism’.” 41
Some Baptists are Calvinists only in soteriology and not in Reformation, and vice versa. Richard
A. Muller, a faculty at the Calvin Theological Seminary, says: