The Death Christ Died [Paperback]

Robert P. Lightner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0825431557 | ISBN-13: 978-0825431555 | Publication Date: October 1998 | Edition: 2

The resurgence of covenant Reformed theology raises again the long-standing debate concerning the extent of the atonement-limited or unlimited? Lightner addresses the question, Who did Christ die for? Accepting the position of limited atonement affects the way in which the Gospel is presented.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert P. Lightner (Th.B., Baptist Bible Seminary; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary; M.L.A., Southern Methodist University) is Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught courses in biblical studies and theology for thirty years. He is the author of A Biblical Case for Total Inerrancy; Handbook of Evangelical Theology; and Sin, the Savior, and Salvation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional; 2 edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825431557
• ISBN-13: 978-0825431555
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Defense of General Atonement with God's Sovereignty, December 17, 1999

By 

Russel T Bell (Fort Collins, Colorado (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death Christ Died (Paperback)

A careful and reasoned case for general atonement that does not attack the sovereignty of God or exalt human effort. Recommended reading for those who would generally hold to the tenents of Calvinism but question the assertion that Christ died only for the elect (Limited Atonement). Kindly shows that Limited Atonement logic is not defensible. Urges readers to look to the Bible itself for final answers. Cautions readers not to embrace this element of a humanly defined system of theology because it runs counter to the plain teaching of Scripture. A scholarly work that is easy reading.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a Biblical case for the Atonement, November 13, 2005

By 

Whosoever Will "Biblicist" (Somewhere in Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death Christ Died (Paperback)

Excellent read...Dr. Lightner does an excellent job of setting forth the Biblical truth about the extent of the atonement! I just wish more Christians from all camps would read this fine work with an open mind--if they did there would likely be less division in the Body of Christ over this issue. I appreciated the following quotes on Pages 33-35:

"One who desires to be true to the revelation of Scripture must be careful not to become a slave of any man-made system of theology. The question is not, "What did the reformers believe and teach?" or "Shall I be a Calvinist or an Arminian?" nor even, "What is the historical view of the church?" as important and helpful as these matters are; but the crux of the matter is, "What saith the Scriptures?"...It seems far better to say that one believes this tenet or that one as he many find agreement with it in the Bible than to imply acceptance of an entire system [like Calvinism or Arminianism]...The desire and goal of the child of God must not be adherence to a humanly-constructed system...Let us be Biblicists above everything else and at all costs; and when and where this position conflicts with man-made systems of theology, let it be!"

"There is an increasing number of individuals who wholeheartedly accept *four of the famous five points of Calvinism, although they reject limited atonement, or as it is sometimes called, particular redemption...Their refusal to believe that Christ died only for the elect does not make them Arminians any more that it makes them universalists. They differ drastically with both the Arminians and the universalists...they believe only those who appropriate the death of Christ by personal faith because they have been chosen by sovereign God will be saved."

As Dr. Lightner also points out, the strict Calvinist does have a serious conundrum and dilemma when it comes to evangelism. Maybe that is why there are so few Calvinistic mission agencies and evangelists in this century. Their system has, and continues to, logically and inexorably lead them to this end. Even John Piper and his "Let The Nations Be Glad" doesn't dare to tread into the waters of the extent of the atonement and how a strict Calvinist can effectively share the Gospel with ALL men. J.I. Packer's book on evangelism also betrays this weakness in their system as well (see also an appendix of this book). Thanks to Dr. Lightner and I look forward to more of this kind of work. For more on General Redemption see also Did Christ Die Only for the Elect? A Treatise on the Extent of Christ's Atonement by Norman Douty.

*Dr. Lightner is actually, a 4-point Biblicist based on his adoption of a modified version of Calvinistic Unconditional Election. From what I have read of his theology, and Charles Ryrie's, they also disagree with the other points of the T.U.L.I.P as defined by Classical Calvinists. For example, George Bryson correctly says "As long as Christians think the Calvinist doctrine of Total Depravity is simply that all have sinned; or that the Calvinist distinctive of unconditional election is that salvation is unmerited; or even that the Calvinistic view of perseverance can be equated with the doctrine of "once saved always saved," they will continue to incorrectly think of themselves as Calvinists." Unfortunately, this lack of clarification, by some well meaning theologians in trying to distance themselves from Arminianism, may lead other "non-Calvinists" or Biblicists to believe they are something they are not. See George Bryson's The Five Points of Calvinism and Samuel Fisk's Calvinistic Paths Retraced for more on this important distinction.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Against Limited Atonement, December 1, 1998

By 

ArmyMan "jwagner4" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Death Christ Died (Paperback)

This is a great book defending the idea that Christ atoned for all of humanity. It critiques both strict Calvinism and strict Arminianism and seeks a middle path. The book spends most of its time, however, relentlessly arguing against the five-point Calvinist limited atonement concept and examining many scriptures to defend Unlimited Atonement--the position Lightner supports. He also refutes various arguments by Calvinists such as John Owen and Arthur Pink. Lightner further exposes the five-pointers' faulty reasoning that the words "world" and "all" in scripture mean the elect. He declares that the Bible "shines" with universality for all people. Additionally, Lightner includes a critique of the MacArthur Study Bible and its support of Limited Atonement. This book is highly recommended along with Did Christ Die Only for the Elect? by Norman F. Douty.