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 />
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