Three Streams

As I continued to pursue information about reformed theology I came to a place where I was convinced of most of the reformed principles. I spent time studying what different reformed writers had to say about ‘The Five Points of Calvinism, otherwise known as T.U.L.I.P

1. Total Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints

I became convinced of the truth of most of these points except for limited atonement. This was a hard one! I had always understood Christs death to be for the sins of the whole world, how could the bible teach that Jesus only died for the elect? I think it was Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology which really enabled me to see this truth for the first time. In particular it was the the intercessory prayer of Jesus

John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

I had never really saw the full weight of this text before, why the heck was Jesus not praying for the world? Surely if he died for the sins of the whole world, and hoped that the whole world would be saved, then he would pray for the whole world? Not only was this a bombshell but he says to the Father that He is only praying for those that the Father had given him. Why hadnt the Father given him everyone? At this I began to realise that not only was Jesus intercessory ministry in John 17 restricted to the elect but his current intercessory ministry is restricted to the elect also!

Heb 7:24-25 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

As the truth of these scriptures began to dawn upon me, my man centred gospel began to crumble all around me! Dont misunderstand me, it wasnt as simple as seeing a text I hadnt seen before and then quickly changing my beliefs accordingly, this process took time, probably several years. However, limited atonement was the hardest doctrine to embrace. My reasons for this were evangelistic, I thought if I embraced this view I was nailing the coffin firmly shut on evangelism, however, that could not be further from the truth. The salvation we proclaim is a salvation that not only offers salvation to sinners, but a salvation that secures it! Jesus saves completely those who come to God through Him!.

Limited atonement is the stumbling block for many. I remember one night at a church meeting getting to know a really enthusiastic young guy. He loved God and he was unashamedly calvinistic. In talking to him it became apparant that he had never heard about T.U.L.I.P, and to add to this he was totally shocked to find out what the ‘L’ stood for. He responded, ‘how could such a clever man like John Calvin make such a huge error like that!’ I burst out laughing! I knew that he had a copy of Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology and encouraged him to go and look up the chapter on atonement. The following week I asked him how he got on, to which he simply responded ‘I can see how this could be true, I think I believe it!’