Customer Reviews

The Death Christ Died

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I'll give Lightner 5 stars for his book, so long as we're clear that you can't GET 5 points of Calvinism from the Bible. Four's as far as it goes, unless you start fishing around Catechisms and Confessions.

BTW: the term atonement is NOT a New Covenant, Christian term for redemption. The NT HAS several terms that relate to Christ's work (e.g. redemption, propitiation, ransom etc.). Atonement isn't one of them, as it refers to Older Covenant, temporary covering of sins through the blood of animals. That ought to be the student's first clue that there's some other agenda or method lurking behind a Reformed doctrine like, 'Unlimited ATONEMENT'.

Let's build New Covenant doctrines off the terms the Bible supplies, especially in an area as important as soteriology.

When it comes to out-leading the meaning of the Bible, the only sane order is: Exegetical Theology--->Biblical Theology--->Systematic Theology. Any other sequence leads to the Dark Side.

Modern day reformed folks tiptoe through the TULIPs by reading their Westminster Confession & Systematic Theology BACK INTO redemption-scope passages (e.g. 1 Jn 2:1,2; Esp. 2 Pe 2:1, Greek 'agorazo', etc.). They _need_ a 'limited atonement' doctrine to satisfy their logical arguments.

p.s. James D. Falls review of Lightner's book is right on the money. Calvin wasn't a Calvinist. "Who knew?"

For those reviewers that give this book such bad marks: you should be careful to call this a distortion of Calvinism. Most Calvin scholars agree that John Calvin held to unlimited atonement (he was a 4-pointer). Please see R.T. Kendall's book, Calvin and English Calvinism. The Five Points of Calvinism would be better entitled, The Five Points of Dort. It is a historical anachronism.

Theologically, limited atonement has never made sense to me in relation to the gospel message. What can you say to the unbeliever? "Christ might have died for you"? What exactly are they supposed to believe?

This is a great book supporting the idea that Christ died for all of humanity. Lightner argues relentlessly against the five-point Calvinist position that Christ died only for the elect, and exposes their twisted scriptural interpretations that words such as "world" and "all" mean the elect instead of what they plainly say. Lightner correctly notes that the scriptures "shine" with the concept of universality. He also notes, "Those who would confine the love of God to the elect are guilty not only of arbitrarily restricting God's love but of placing limitations on the very nature of God." This book is highly recommended along with Did Christ Die Only for the Elect? by Norman F. Douty.
And for an Arminian defense of unlimited atonement, check out "Redemption Redeemed" by John Goodwin.

There are few debates within the Church of Christ that brings as much debate as that of Arminianism versus Calvinism. For Calvinist, there are many books written in defense of their popular system of beliefs known as the TULIP. For Arminians, few have been written as of late. This book by Dr. Robert Lightner is a book written by a moderate Arminian in defense of the Bible teaching an unlimited atonement in the death of Christ.

The debate goes like this: Did Jesus' death on the cross provide salvation for all men or only for the elect? Did Jesus die for all or for the elect? Does the word "world" in John 3:16 mean the entire human race or only the elect (Christians) who would believe? Calvinist insist that Jesus' death is only for the elect (limited or particular redemption) but Arminians stress that the Bible teaches that Jesus died for all especially for believers (1 Timothy 4:10). Arminians believe that all can be saved through the work of Christ whereas Calvinist teach that only the elect by God's sovereign decree (unconditional election) can be saved. Hyper-Calvinist goes so far as to insist that there should be no preaching of the gospel since God will draw the elect unto Himself through His Spirit (Eph. 1:3-14).

I highly enjoyed this book being that my theology is Arminian. I found the book not only a solid exegesis of common Arminian passages for an unlimited atonement but also Dr. Lightner examines common Calvinist passages as well as the works of popular Calvinist such as John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and Dr. John MacArthur. Overall, this is a good book for any Christian whether they be Arminian or Calvinist.

This is an excellent book for those seriously seeking to know the Bible teaching in the extent of the atonement. He takes a compassionate attitude towards those with whom he disagress, but does not shrink from making bold statements. There is one place on page 97 where I am not sure what point he was trying to make when he made reference to the participation in the guilt of Adam. Though he takes the proper stand on the fact that all are born guilty he says that is not the reason men go to hell. The reader will be advised to read this section very carefully. He does give a connecting answer on page 101. All in all a very good book.

The Death Christ Died is not a book I recommend. Dr. Lightner has taken a debate that has marshaled the finest minds in the history of Christ's Church for its articulation and given us a superficial treatment unworthy of serious attention.

Dr. Lightner and the introductory penman, Norman Geisler, simply fabricate a new species of Calvinist previously unknown to man: the "moderate" Calvinist.

I don't recall reading anything that so misrepresents historic Calvinism and then wastes so much time demolishing that misrepresentation. This book assaults the reader with an entire brigade of straw men. There is no serious examination of the hundreds of relevant passages in Scripture that have been foundational to Calvin's position over the centuries.

I'm not aware of anyone else, Calvinist or otherwise, who holds to a view of limited atonement that Lightner presents. Historically acurate Calvinism is well documented in popular format by R.C. Sproul`s Chosen By God, John Armstrong, J.I. Packer, David Steele, James White`s Potter`s Freedom, et. al. The definitive treatment (other than Calvin himself, of course) remains The Death of Death by Dr. John Owen.

For an excellent presentation of the Arminian position on unlimited atonement see: Elect in the Son by Robert Shank.

Many disagree with John Calvin's interpretation of Scripture and that is their privilege. But, to do so upon the weak arguements presented in this book would be a terrible mistake.

Like every other Arminian who has ever attempted to defend unlimited atonement, Dr. Lightner fails to deal adequately with the Old Testament teaching regarding the sacrificial system. If one merely examines the OT sacrifices, one clearly sees limited atonement presented as the model for the death of Christ. The OT priest never presented his sacrifice for anyone but the covenant nation of Israel: there isn't one instance of priest offering sacrifices for the Amalekites, etc. Furthermore, the acceptance of the offering by God ACTUALLY provided the forgiveness sought by the person bringing it. (The Arminian view would have us believe that Jesus' sacrifice didn't actually forgive anyone, it only made forgiveness POSSIBLE. Ptooey! I spit on such nonsense.) Lightner fails to deal with the Bible's use of the word "all." A careful use of your concordance demonstrates that the Bible itself routinely uses the word "all" in a less than universal sense. For instance, take Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." Does "all" here mean "every single person who ever lived"? Bzzzt! Wrong. Jesus was sinless, thus "all" cannot mean "every person who ever lived." If the Calvinist can prove even ONE instance where "all" is clearly used in a less than universal sense, it falls to the Arminian to demonstrate, in context mind you, why "all" cannot mean something less than "every single person" anywhere else it appears in the Bible. Lightner can't make a case for unlimited atonmement; no one can. No one has ever been able to answer the definitive argument for limited atonement given by John Owen in "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ." Amazon would be happy to sell you a copy of Owen's book. Go get one! Right now! You can always use the Lightner book for firestarter paper...