Five Points About Calvin's Atonement Teaching.

I think it is important that we do not deliberately misunderstand the great Geneva Reformer, John Calvin (1509-1564).  So let me propose these five points to help you understand him better with regard to his thinking on the extent of the atonement, which I came across yesterday (25th August, 2012).


1.  The medieval scholastics, almost to a man, believed in a limited atonement but John Calvin was not impressed either with them or with their theological beliefs which tried to present that particular teaching.

2.  When Calvin was replying to the Council of Trent doctrines, it is very interesting to note, and this is very important, that he refuted every proposition one by one until he came to the point that taught that Christ died for all men.  Each proposition was taken to task by this able biblical theologian but on this one he had no comment to make whatever.  Some might say that this means that he neither agreed nor disagreed with this point; but that is to do despite to the great Calvin's ability to argue his case coherently.  This ought to make limited atonement people question and reconsider their position.  That Calvin taught a universal redemption is beyond question, except by those whose minds are closed to the data.

3.  Calvin's view that Christ is the 'mirror' of our election quite definitely adds up if Christ died for all.

4.  On many occasions, Calvin equates "many" with "all."  This was a conscious departure from those such as Luther who equated "many" with the "elect."

5.  Calvin's interpretation of Heb.9:15 is that the "called" does not refer to the "elect."  This was another departure for Calvin from the classic 'Calvinists' who interpreted it differently from the Reformer.

Calvin's teaching on universal redemption was carefully considered and expressed by this great theological mind to teach the essential nature and design of the atonement. 

May I ask you to check up these facts as presented for yourself.  Do not take my word for it; go straight "to the horse's mouth."  Read Calvin for yourself, and don't accept blindly what Calvinists teach about the Reformer's theology.  This is essential for those who are concerned about understanding what the Bible has to teach about the Gospel.  Evangelists also need to understand this central teaching.