A Multi-Intentioned View of the Extent of the Atonement

by Gary L. Shultz, Bruce A. Ware (Foreword)

Christians strongly disagree about the extent of the atonement. Some believe that the atonement only extends to the elect, those whom God chose to save before the foundation of the world. Others believe the atonement is unlimited, that Jesus died for all people whether they ever believe in him or not. Despite the differences in these two traditional understandings they share one thing in both believe that Jesus died for a single, intended purpose. But what if God’s intentions in the atonement are multiple, not single? The Bible teaches exactly this, that Jesus died both to pay for the sins of all people and to secure the salvation of those God chose to believe in him before time began. This book explains and defends a multi-intentioned view of the extent of the atonement, asserting that this view does the best job of understanding all of what the Bible says about the extent of the atonement, is more theologically comprehensive than the traditional views, and has the best potential for consensus on who exactly Jesus Christ died for when he was crucified for our sins.

“This work by Gary Shultz is a much-needed contribution to a long-standing debate. . . . I have been greatly benefited and stimulated by this excellent work. I highly commend it.”
—John Hammett, Professor of Systematic Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina

“Few issues fuel debate as much as the extent of the atonement. Gary Shultz boldly enters the discussion, surveying the theological landscape, raising key questions, and setting forth this well-researched, evenhanded, and thought-provoking proposal.”
—Christopher W. Morgan, Dean, California Baptist University, California

“Few things are closer to the heart of the gospel than the extent of the atonement. What one believes about this crucial subject impacts preaching and evangelism in a significant way. This book by Gary Schultz is one of the most important contributions to the discussion I have read. It is biblical, eminently readable, and covers the important issues in a clear manner. Scholars, pastors, and laypeople alike will benefit from this fine work.”
—David L. Allen, Dean, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas

Gary L. Shultz Jr. (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Fulton, Missouri, Assistant Professor of Religion at Liberty University Online, and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Church History at Baptist Bible Theological Seminary. He has written several scholarly articles and reviews.

Genres: Theology

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2014

Reviews

[John Brackbill · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell that this is a book based on a dissertation. It's an easy read but a bit clunky at times. I took that to be left over academic requirement and form. However the content is excellent. He would be in agreement with John s Hammond in perspectives of the extent of the atonement three views book. However they would differ on how many intentions there were for the cross and whether or not some are not intentions but results of the multi intentions God had. For example preaching the gospel to all people and providing a further ground for condemnation. If one wants to learn more about the multi-intension view I'd recommend reading the three views book first and then this one.

[Allen Tsai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought-provoking. I think Shultz does a good job in presenting both sides of the argument, although I'm not sure either popular position would deny multiple intentions in the atonement (especially Calvinists). Perhaps much of the confusion is our association of atonement accomplishing only salvific effects.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps the best book I've read on the extent of the atonement. He doesn't resolve all the debates but his proposal
that God had multiple purposes makes the best sense of all that the Bible says.