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