Although
Martin Luther seems to agree a great deal with
John Calvin on a lot of things, it seems that many Lutheran disagree with
Calvinists. I came across the following video from
Lutherans that try to poke fun at the concept of "
Limited Atonement". The truth is I do not fully accept that concept but I think the other four doctrines from Calvinist Theology definitely summarize what is in the Bible.
I don't really buy the video. It tries to insinuate that calvinists eisegete scripture to get limited atonement. I think it would be useful to look at the scriptures they think Calvinists butcher. I found the quote from
Westboro Baptist Church completely undfair because they ain't sane. So many straw men. Where to start?
1. John 3:16 - Didn't quote the whole passage.
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.- John 3:14-18
The passage is clearly not talking about the abilities of everyone on earth to believe. It says that if you believe you will be saved, not that you can choose believe on your own when you get ready. I am aware now that many Arminians do not think that people get saved when they decide on their own, however I'd more strongly state that on one can even think of coming to Christ on their own because Jesus said no one can come to Him unless they be drawn by the Father (John 6:44).
2. 2 Peter 2:1
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. - 2 Peter 2:1-3
While I see strong scriptural basis for
Total depravity,
Unconditional election,
Irresistible grace, and
Perseverance of the saints, I can't quite fully embrace
Limited atonement. this is one of those scriptures that prevent me from going all the way. I see no problem with reading it and understanding that Jesus' sacrifice was enough to cover everyone who has or ever will exist. This does not mean that the remission of sins are in effect for everyone - only they that believe - and one cannot believe unless moved upon by God.
3. Matthew 22:!4
14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
I don't think non-Calvinist should get all excited because Jesus was not saying that the invitation is enough to be at the banquet. One needs to be chosen to be accepted.
4. 1 Timothy 4:10
9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. - 1 Timothy 4:9,10
Here is another of one of those verses that i think mean you can't be so quick to assert that Jesus' propitiatory sacrifice was only for the elect. However, I do not think this verse is good to use against Limited Atonement either. I think Paul is pointing out that there is no other means of salvation for anyone other than God, but only them that believe will benefit - that is why he wrote "especially of those who believe.".
The Video also suggests that Calvinists have no assurance that thay are saved. That is not what Calvinism teaches. The Bible does not say you cannot know if you are saved, it shows us tha tI can't judge someone else's salvation perfectly.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.- Romans 8:15-17
As for comparison to Megatron, I think that is a cheap shot because no one who believes in the God of the Bible thinks that God and Megatron have anything in common. God is in sovereign and complete control of everything and Megatron wants to be. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Calvinists confuse God with Megatron « Hacking Christianity
