Atonement Controversy: In Welsh Theological Literature and Debate, 1707-1841 [Hardcover]

Owen Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

What Christian preachers believe about the atonement always affects their presentation of the gospel. Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones used to insist that this classic work, now translated from Welsh for the first time, gave significant help to preachers in this matter. His own gospel preaching was influenced by it. The Atonement Controversy will fascinate all who have wrestled with issues raised by the doctrine of a limited atonement, especially in relation to the preaching of the gospel. It will also be essential reading for all with an interest in Welsh history and theology, particularly those unable to read the work in the Welsh original. Christmas Evans, John Elias, Thomas Jones and Henry Rees are only a few of those who figure in the story told here.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851518168
• ISBN-13: 978-0851518169
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,889,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars died for all, justice not satisfied for any, November 13, 2009

By 

Mark Mcculley (lancaster,pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atonement Controversy: In Welsh Theological Literature and Debate, 1707-1841 (Hardcover)

After reading Owen Thomas' work one comes away with at least three nagging concerns. First, Thomas does not believe that the debate over the extent of Christ's atonement is really as important as many of the protagonists thought it was (p. 363). Secondly, Thomas would also lead us to think that perhaps, after all, the extent of Christ's redemption is a tortuously difficult subject shrouded in mystery. Thirdly, the readers might also be tempted to think that this is a subject that has never been decisively dealt with by the church of Christ.

The Canons of Dordt deal effectively with all three issues. Its Second Head of Doctrine ("Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby") is the church's definitive answer against a death of Christ for all: Christ died for the elect "and those only" (II.8). It states, moreover, that the Arminian theory of an ineffectual, universal atonement "bring[s] again out of hell the Pelagian error" -- so this is an important issue (II.R.3). The first line of the "Conclusion" to the Canons of Dordt addresses the subject of the clarity of the five points, which include limited atonement. It reads, "And this is the perspicuous, simple, and ingenuous declaration of the orthodox doctrine respecting the five articles...." Particular atonement is a "perspicuous" and "simple" doctrine. The Scriptures clearly teach it, and a little child can grasp it -- Christ died for those whom He has chosen and He did not die for those whom He passed by. Owen Thomas' The Atonement Controversy provides plenty of evidence that the theories concocted by those who compromised on this article of God's truth are both various and complicated. The Arminians and the "moderate" Calvinists fall under the condemnation of the Canons' "Conclusion" as those who "controverted" the orthodox faith, "troubled" the churches, and "violated all truth, equity, and charity, in wishing to persuade the public."