Atonement Quote by Charles Spurgeon
“I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of men be added to it.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Doctrine of Atonement, 1885
He prefers a limited atonement that works for those intended, over a universal one that requires human will to be effective.
In simple terms: Limited atonement works for the intended; universal needs human addition.
Key Takeaway
Choose a doctrine that ensures divine efficacy.
Themes
theology
salvation
divine sovereignty
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
theological
doctrinal
When to use this quote
- preaching
- personal study
- church teaching
Key Concepts
Limited atonement
efficacy
human will
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you find assurance in a limited or universal scope?
- How does human will affect divine promises?
A Different Perspective
Universal atonement may dilute the power of divine grace.
![“The atonement chapter [from the book Saving Calvinism] shows how there are real riches in Reformed theology that most Christians today have no idea about.” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13b/oliver-d-crisp-12863_atonement_the-atonement-chapter-from-the-book-savi_1441682.jpg)
![“In the chapter on the nature of the atonement [in the book saving Calvinism] I argue that it is a mistake to think that penal substitution is the only option on the doctrine of atonement.” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5fe/oliver-d-crisp-12863_arguing_in-the-chapter-on-the-nature-of-the-aton_377313.jpg)
![“Sometimes we can lose the wood for the trees. Some specific issues dealt with in the book [Saving Calvinism]: the scope of election (who is saved?); the nature of the atonement (do we have to hold to penal substitution if we're Reformed?); the scope of the atonement (for whom did Christ die?)…” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74c/oliver-d-crisp-12863_atonement_sometimes-we-can-lose-the-wood-for-the-t_1996596.jpg)
