The EXTENT of the ATONEMENT

A Historical and Critical Review

DAVID L. ALLEN

nashville, tennessee

The Extent of the Atonement: A Historical and Critical Review

Copyright © 2016 by David L. Allen

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4336-4392-7

Dewey Decimal Classification: 234

SUBHD: ATONEMENT / THEOLOGY / SACRIFICE

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version (public domain).

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Darren Welch and art direction by Jade Novak.

Cover images © Shutterstock / Lara Cold and Shutterstock / OlgaSha

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part One: The Extent of the Atonement in Church History

1. The Early and Medieval Era and the Extent of the Atonement

2. The Reformation Era and the Extent of the Atonement

3. The Post-Reformation Era and the Extent of the Atonement

4. The Modern Era and the Extent of the Atonement

Part Two: The Extent of the Atonement in the Baptist Tradition

5. English General and Particular Baptists and the Extent of the Atonement

6. North American Baptists and the Extent of the Atonement

7. Southern Baptists and the Extent of the Atonement

Part Three: The Extent of the Atonement: A Critical Review

8. A Critical Review of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her

9. Why Belief in Unlimited Atonement Matters

Subject Index

Name Index

Scripture Index

Tables

Four Views on the Extent of the Atonement

God So Loved …

Three Positions of Particular Redemption

Notable Representatives on the Extent of the Atonement

Preface

This work has been a labor of love over the past ten years. The extent of the atonement and its entailments are vital to me as a theologian and preacher. The issue touches very near the heart of the gospel. What one believes about this subject has serious ramifications for both theology and praxis in the church. The necessity of getting the gospel right is basal in my thinking.

The question of the extent of the atonement is controversial and often engenders strong emotion. Some people on either side of the fence tenaciously cling to their view and anathematize opponents. Perhaps one reason for this visceral reaction is the fact that a ...