Election Circumscribes the Atonement

Some argue that Christ’s atonement is general—he died to save everyone—but the application of the atonement is particular—God elected some to whom this general atonement is applied. However,

John 6 indicates that the Father gives a specific group of people to the Son for whom he then comes to die in order to give them eternal life. Particularism attends the planning and the making of the atonement, not just its application. Thus it is election that circumscribes the atonement, not the other way around.

From Matthew S. Harmon’s essay on definite atonement in the Synoptics and Johannine literature in From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective.

Previously posted quotes from this book.

• Someone for Some People
• Death Is the Penalty
• Election Is the Spring

Thankful Thurday

This Thursday I’m thankful 

• for this promise from God: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22, ESV). Yes, summer will eventually come, and that’s something to be thankful for.
• for clear skies. We’ve been able to see the northern lights, and they’ve put on some spectacular shows. And while the temps drop way down on our cloudless nights, the bright sun warms things right up during the daylight hours—and chases away the winter blues, to boot.
• for safe travel on winter roads. 
• that all my children live nearby. Extended family living in the same town is a wonderful thing. My grandchildren see their cousins, aunts, and uncles often, and know them in a way I didn’t, nor did my own children. Things may not always be like this, but I’m thankful for it while we have it.
• that all the books are finally back on their shelves in the church library. Did I mention that we had a little flood in January?
• that Christ came to bring Jew and Gentile together in one body, and that in him I am included in the household of God.

What are you thankful for?

Theological Term of the Week

As you can see by my link to Wikipedia in the Learn more section of this post, I didn’t find many good links for more information on this term. If you can help me out with a link suggestion or two, please do.

inclusio
A  phrase, line, or concept used at both the beginning and end of a section of biblical text, forming a frame or envelope around what lies between, and giving a sense of start and close; also known as envelope stucture or bracketing. 

• An inclusio found in scripture:

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!

How the mighty have fallen!

Tell it not in Gath,

publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,

lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,

lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

“You mountains of Gilboa,

let there be no dew or rain upon you,

nor fields of offerings!

For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,

the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

“From the blood of the slain,

from the fat of the mighty,

the bow of Jonathan turned not back,

and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!

In life and in death they were not divided;

they were swifter than eagles;

they were stronger than lions.

“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,

who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

“How the mighty have fallen

in the midst of the battle!

“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.” (2 Samuel 1:19-25 ESV)

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