In Reply...

Bobby Grow has once again challenged the community of faith for their perspective and insight into the scripture. In his most recent article titled, “The Gospel of John and "Limited Atonement”” Bobby addresses the text in John 3:17-19 and ask what bearing these verses have on the doctrine of limited atonement. He closes with the following;

Help me out here, Calvinists, Arminians, Free-Gracers, and you "Biblicists" out there; what is John talking about in this passage? And how does it relate to God's "election"

While I have fought diligently to avoid being labeled as anything other than a believer, I suppose I would consider myself a “Biblicists” to some degree; hence my reply;

Doesn’t this verse reinforce the whole of scripture that salvation is of God and damnation is of man? The Great Debate is always framed in terms of who is responsible for salvation and from that limited framework it is easy to conclude that since God is the author and finisher of our salvation then He alone decides who will and who won’t be redeemed. If we change the focus from who is responsible for salvation to who is responsible for damnation then these verses only reinforce what was made evident in the garden; that pride drives men to reject God; their choice, not His. Adam’s evil deed condemned him and he chose to hide from God. When God called him he answered and God made provision (Genesis 3:7-21). Had God never called wouldn’t he have remained hidden, condemned already by his own choice? Had Adam been content to remain hidden and not answered God’s call would he have remained without provision, already condemned? The debate then becomes about who is condemned; who does God call and who will answer and on this the scripture is clear. Do we then conclude that God allows evil deeds? God allows men to choose and through foreknowledge of their choice made provision (Acts 2:23). Our election is corporate through Jesus Christ according to the foreknowledge of God, not fore choice (1st Peter 1:2). So while I might continue to question the extent of the atonement, limited by foreknowledge or complete in preventing God’s wrath on mankind, I am once more assured it extends to whoever believes in Christ Jesus.