Is "Whoever calls on the name of Lord will be saved" contradictory to the Calvinist/Reformed theory of 'limited atonement?'
Romans 10:5 - 21
NKJV - 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above )
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Carl Naitram
It certainly does contradict limited atonement and all other Calvinistic theology relating to salvation. It is simply quite mind boggling the type of twisting of scripture those who believe in limited atonement do in order to try to prove whosever that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved does not mean just that. Whosever can only mean whosoever. Some will try to twist that to mean the elect. But that does not make sense because if some are elected and cannot refuse to be saved according to Calvinist then why say whosoever. Peter tells us that God is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Why would God be willing that all be saved and not make it possible for them to get saved. John 3:16 tells God so loved the world. It is so ridiculous that so e people say that world there mean the world of the elect. If so why then would He then say that whosoever believeth should not perish... John tells us in his epistle "And he is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Read Romans 5. There it contrast between Adam and the Lord Jesus, between sin and grace. My dear friends The God of love can only love all and love can only make it possible that all can be saved. Please dont limit the work of the Lord Jesus. It is bordering on blasphemy to make the sacrificial substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus only be possible for so few people. Praise God the Bible tells us...come ALL ye that labor and heavy laden and I will give you rest...and If I be lifted Up I will draw ALL men unto me... Therefore † as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. There are many other verses that speaks of the universal possibility for all to be saved....therefore let us go into ALL the world and preach the Gospel to EVERY CREATURE. WHY WOULD HE COMMAND US TO GO PREACH TO ALL IF THERE IS NOT THE POSSIBILITY FOR THEM TO CALL AND BE SAVED. BLESSED BE HIS NAME FOR IS MERCY LOVE AND GRACE TO ALL MEN.
Kim Passmore
Why did one thief "choose Jesus" and the other reject His Saviorhood? Both had same opportunity to hear His words from the Cross, yet only one would be with Him in Paradise on that day. Was the one who acknowledged Him as the Son of God more moral? Or more intelligent? Wiser? Or more spiritual? No, because BOTH were dead in sin and transgression (Eph. 2:1) and BOTH belonged to the Devil. Why then was the one willing and the other refused to believe? It was the Holy Spirit who revealed to the redeemed man that Jesus was and is and forever will be who He claimed to be. The only way a man can say "Jesus is Lord is by the Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3). His Holy Spirit is the One who saves us (Titus 3:5). He regenerates us and gives us faith as a gift (Eph. 2:8-10). John also reveals that it is by the will of God and not the will of man (Jn. 1:13) as the "why" one chooses Jesus and another does not. All men are born dead in sin and transgression and CANNOT understand the things of God except by the spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14). Also read Jesus words to Nicodemus in John 3. " The wind blows where it will, so it is w/ the Holy Spirit". That man chose Jesus because he was chosen by God before the beginning of time and in the fullness of time, God called him to Himself. (See the entire first chapter of Ephesians). Also, 2 Tim. 1:9 sums the entire doctrine. God saved us and called us to a holy life not based on anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Yes, whosoever will may come.. But who does the willing? GOD. Remember we are all born dead spiritually, and one can't throw a dead man a life preserver. Someone MUST reach down to the bottom of the ocean and pull the dead man out of that watery grave. Also Romans 9 settles the doctrine of limited atonement forever
Steve Stevens
One misconception that so many people have when it comes to this doctrine, is that man does not have to call upon the Lord and be saved. This is simply not true. Even though God looked down through the corridor of time and by grace chose some and passed over others, we do still have to confess and believe. The key to this doctrine of limited atonement is that the Holy Spirit must begin a work in the human heart before he or she can ever come close to even thinking about confessing and believing. The very believing is a gift of grace from God. Paul also asks how anyone can hear the gospel if it is not preached. This is another topic of misconception when it concerns the Limited Atonement doctrine. Jesus speaks in John 10 of His sheep and how they know His voice. The Elect are out there [His sheep], but clearly we do not know who they are. We are called to go to all the nations, preaching repentance and baptism in the Name of The Lord. None of these things contradict the Doctrine of Limited Atonement. Without man being God's mouthpiece to the human race, the "sheep" are unable to hear the "Good Shepherd's" voice. Despite what so many argue, it all works together. God grants us the gift of salvation and also grants us the gift to be His voice.
Mark Galinsky
Those that are called to believe, 16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16 ESV,will call on the name of The Lord.
Amhed Vazquez
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:16-23 KJV)
Ginger Peacock
My Belief Is That If You Do Not Know Who The Sheep Is That Jesus Is Speaking Of, Then You Are In Need Of More Time In Scripture Or With The Lord! When I Become To Christ, I am as a Lost sheep But now I am His! Nothing and No- One can Take me or Snatch me From His Hand, Because The Father Has Gave Me Life, And Through The Spirit I Know His Voice!
Win Alme
I have not seen the words limited atonement in my Bible. Whoever, means anyone who will come to Christ will not be sent away, or given a partial pardon. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. One example is the thief on the cross.
Bob Johnson
Obviously, Limited atonement is a truth. Why? Because otherwise everyone, universally, would be saved. If Christ actually died for all the sins of the whole world, (which is unlimited atonement) then EVERYONE would be saved. You have 4 possibilities: 1. Jesus died for all the sins of all people (unlimited atonement) which is universalism. All sin paid for, so there is no reason to be kept out of heaven. 2. Jesus died for some of the sins of all people. That can't be, or no one would be saved - because some of their sin is not paid for. 3. Jesus died for some of the sins of some people. (This is just like #2, no one would be saved if they still had some sin that wasn't paid for.) We know the 1st three are not right. So there is the 4th option: Jesus died for all of the sin of some people. This is limited atonement. Some people have all their sin paid for, and some do not. Free-Will people say option 1 is true. But, above, I have shown that if it was true all people would be saved. But then they counter that, well, everyone's sin is paid for - you just have to believe. But is unbelief a sin? Yes it is. It's shown that it is a sin all throughout the Bible. If every sin is paid for, that would include the sin of unbelief. Yes, the person who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved indeed. That person is the person God calls and elects to be saved. The Spirit saves, that person then calls on the name of the Lord. God has elected those people.
Wanda Ohara
God is beholden to no one. He is not obligated to save us from our sin, he chose to do so. Unforgiven people do not care if God chooses them, because they are so dead in their trespasses they just don’t care. So the question is, what causes the sinner to care? It’s Jesus Christ who gives us faith to care. We can do nothing apart from God calling us to salvation. The word tells us in John 6:37 All those the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. Continue to read 6:36-51. It is clear who is charge and it’s not us. Remember faith plus nothing, only what Christ hath done for us on the cross. If we do something, then it’s faith plus something; we can’t have it both ways.
Kees Bos
God created man in his own image and we have to show in our life how God is. Moses said (Dt 30,12-14): you have no excuse , because Gods Word is very near to you, in yor heart. We only have to believe (i.e. do) that. Paul gives these words a NT interpretation. Christ has broken the sin and renews all who believe in Him. Believe means again: live as a image of God. And we have no excuse saying: we can’t, because God will dwell in us. See Eph 4,17-32.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible