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Message of the Latter Rain - Kelvin M. Duncan

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Chapter 3<br />

Three Attempts at Resolution<br />

Three <strong>the</strong>ological schools <strong>of</strong> thought exist that each attempt to provide a<br />

unified understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atonement. All three schools endeavor to<br />

present <strong>the</strong> plan <strong>of</strong> redemption in a way that reveals a God <strong>of</strong><br />

uncompromised justice, while maintaining that He is also <strong>the</strong> personification<br />

<strong>of</strong> love and mercy. These schools <strong>of</strong> thought are known as Calvinism,<br />

Arminianism, and Universalism. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m presents a radically different<br />

description <strong>of</strong> "justice."<br />

Calvinist denominations include Presbyterians and various reformed<br />

churches, such as Dutch Reformed, Christian Reformed, and Reformed<br />

Baptists.<br />

The Calvinist Reaction<br />

The Calvinist solves <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> double jeopardy with <strong>the</strong> doctrine <strong>of</strong><br />

double predestination. The idea is that God predestined some people to be<br />

saved, and He also predestined some to be lost. Therefore, Calvinists believe<br />

that Jesus died only for those whom God foreordained to be saved. This<br />

group, <strong>the</strong>y call <strong>the</strong> "elect."<br />

Calvin's <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> double predestination fur<strong>the</strong>r teaches that Jesus did<br />

not suffer and die for those who will be lost. Thus, in <strong>the</strong> Calvinist view,<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is no double jeopardy. This teaching is referred to as "limited<br />

atonement."<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> Bible clearly teaches that Jesus "died for all" (2 Corinthians<br />

5:14, 15; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:6), <strong>the</strong> Calvinist position fails to provide<br />

20

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