Particular Redemption - Part 7 of 7

Finally, maintaining this doctrine is essential for maintaining gospel purity in evangelism and missions. This is not simply a theological debate with no real world application. This holy and sacred subject, the blood atonement of Christ for sinners is vital to the Christian faith and the gospel message. The call of the gospel preacher, missionary, and Christian witness is not proclaiming that “Christ died for you”. Rather, gospel preaching, missions, and Christian witnessing is “proclaiming Jesus Christ Himself, as the sufficient Savior of all who repent and believe.”[1] Historically, those who have departed from this biblical doctrine in the name of opening up the potential for all men to be saved rather than only the elect have in fact caused harm to the cause of gospel preaching and missions.

A clear example of this is Dale Moody, who is considered a hero in contemporary Christian circles. Mr. Moody is heralded as a champion of the faith, a great evangelist, and soul winner. As admirable as Moody was, his view of the atonement and his understanding of salvation was very harmful in this area. In fact, Moody rejected the doctrine of limited atonement as well as the reformed view of election. The practical outflow of rejecting these essential biblical doctrines is the opening up of a salvation apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ, albeit through the benefits of Christ’s atonement, i.e. universal atonement.

As cited by Dr. Tom Nettles, Moody’s work “The Word of Truth” opens up the view that some can be saved apart from the gospel, “His optimistic evaluation of man’s ability to respond properly to general revelation equals a strong doctrine of free will. According to Moody, a man may gain salvation without ever hearing of Jesus or the gospel that exalts his person and work. All one must do is react admirably to the revelation of God in nature. According to Moody, many do come to a true knowledge of God in this way: ‘Those who perish, according to the gospel of John, are those who are confronted by the Light of the world shining through Jesus and who reject this light, not those who have only the starlight of general revelation.…Guilt before God is gauged by the light people have, and those who follow the light they have will surely be accepted by God.…A general revelation of God is possible in creation at any time, in any place, and to any person.…It is possible to say that this general revelation of God has only a negative function that leaves man without excuse…But what kind of God is he who gives man enough knowledge to damn him but not enough to save him?’”

Nettles goes on to ask the important question, “Is the gospel honored in such presentations? Can true evangelism proceed on such a basis?” [2] The first and most obvious objection to Moody’s opinion is from the text of scripture itself. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.…For scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’…for ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:9, 11, 13-15a, 17). Scripture clearly indicates in this passage that the gospel is absolutely essential for someone to be saved. Faith comes by the Word of God. It is by faith in Jesus Christ that we are justified before God and “without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6a). Not possible to be saved but impossible to be saved without faith in Jesus Christ.

Not only is Moody’s assertion unbiblical but if it were true; we have in fact done a great injustice to every lost person whom we have endeavored to reach by preaching Christ crucified! If Moody’s assertion is correct, we need to shut down all missionary endeavors around the world. We need to call every missionary serving the cause of Christ back home and tell them to no more preach the gospel! If men can and are saved apart from the gospel, and only go to hell for rejecting Christ, then we become responsible for condemning them to hell when we preach the gospel to them! Moody’s error would not be possible had he understood and received the biblical doctrine of limited atonement.

But some may argue, “But doesn’t election and limited atonement hinder evangelism and missions?” No, it protects them. Jesus gave us one of the greatest missionary verses in scripture in the context of limited atonement. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). Another limited atonement verse utilized as a great catalyst for missions is Revelation 5:9, “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” So, we have our marching orders. There are lost sheep belonging to Christ, having been purchased by His blood in the atonement, still out there in every tribe, every tongue, every people, and every nation. And they will come because God’s eternal purpose in redemption will come to pass and every elect of God, having been purchased by Christ’s blood on the cross, will come safely into the fold for we have not been appointed unto wrath.

[1] Dr. Roy Hargrave, The Doctrines of Grace, Riverbend Bible Institute Course #104, p. 51
[2] Nettles, Thomas J. By His Grace and For His Glory. Cor Meum Tibi, Lake Charles, LA. p. 405-406