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

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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."