Tommy McMurtry of the New IFB Tears up Limited Atonement Part 1 - A Response

Tommy McMurtry of the New IFB attempts to refute the Reformed Doctrine of Particular Redemption, or "Limited Atonement". Is it absolutely necessary that one tell the lost person that "Jesus died for you"? Does his presentation refute the doctrine, or just add more questions that need to be answered?

Entire Series Tearing Up the Tulip Response:

[JustaSlaveofChrist]

I found it interesting that Tommy McMurtry lied to his viewers/listeners right at the beginning of his presentation against limited atonement. He stated that he has not received any negative feedback to his descriptions of Calvinism in his series thus far (i.e. Total Depravity, and Unconditional Election). Well that is simply not true and he knows it is not true. He is well aware that you have produced three videos prior to this one, with each one giving negative feedback on his faulty descriptions of Calvinism. What's more, he engaged with you in the comments section of your first video in this series. Even more so, there have been others in the comments sections of his own videos in his "Tearing Up The TULIP" series that have not only given him negative feedback on his faulty descriptions, but roundly refuted him as well. If he cannot be honest in this area, how can we expect him to be honest in his critique of Calvinism? Answer: we cannot.

Regarding Tommy McMurtry's view that Jesus died for each and every single person who has ever lived, is living and will live; he is faced with two, and only two options. 1) Either everybody is saved and is in heaven or will be in heaven; or, 2) Jesus' atoning death was insufficient to save everyone. These are the only two outcomes of his faulty view of the atonement. I wonder which one he leans toward?

[innerfire]

There are no grounds for feeling special in Calvinism. The elect who were once servants of Satan are chosen according to God's will alone.

[teemu]

"The Gospel itself (in I Cor 15:1-4) is a declaration to God's elect ONLY. The very language used in I Cor 15:1-4 is particular to Whom in the context? The Brethren! Paul says "Moreover, brethren"...."I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you" "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for "OUR" sins according to the scriptures;" The "Our" in the context are the whom? The Brethren! This verse does not apply to every individual that has ever lived or can be used as a UNIVERSAL atonement for ALL. If Christ died for the Sins of every individual (including both Sheep and Goats) then everyone is saved and going to Heaven....otherwise, If Christ died for and paid the sin debt for all (everyone) and yet people still go to Hell anyway, it then makes Jesus Christ out to be just a failure and then ultimately puts salvation in the hands of man, as then Christ can only save unless man cooperates."

[skafan]

limited atonement is the easiest of all the corrupt 5 points to destroy.

[MariusVanWoerden]

Limited atonement has nothing to do with men being able to accept the gospel without a Convicting working of the Holy Spirit. It was said of old Who works first we know last. 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
There is nothing showing that John Calvin or Martin Luther or any of the reformers believed the doctrine of Limited Atonement. It sure has nothing of it in his commentaries and a full discussion of the scope of the atonement is not found in Calvin’s writings. It was a counter reaction on the Synod of Dordrecht against the Five articles of the Remonstrants [Arminius] 60 year after John Calvin had passed away. Calvin sure believed that the wrath of God came on Christ for the sins of the whole world which is Biblical. The belief of limited atonement is unbiblical, however minor and hypothetical.
We find support that John Calvin did not concern himself with Thoughts of Limited Atonement in some of his commentaries.
BY JOHN CALVIN
“Also we ought to have good care of those that have been redeemed with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we see souls which have been so precious to God go to perdition, and we make nothing of it, that is to despise the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Sermon on Ephesians 5:11-14]
“The four reasons, whereby Paul doth carefully prick forward the pastors to do their duty diligently, because the Lord hath given no small pledge of His love toward the Church in shedding His own blood for it. Whereby it appeared how precious it is to him; and surely there is nothing which ought more vehemently to urge pastors to do their duty joyfully, than if they consider that the price of the blood of Christ is committed to them. For hereupon it followeth, that unless they take pains in the Church, the lost souls are not only imputed to them, but they be also guilty of sacrilege, because they have profaned the holy blood of the Son of God, and have made the redemption gotten by him to be of none effect, so much as in them lieth. And this is a most cruel offence, if, through our sluggishness, the death of Christ do not only become vile or base, but the fruit thereof be also abolished and perish ...” [Commentary on Acts 20:28]
“He makes this favor common to all, because it is propounded to all, and not because it is in reality extended to all; for though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God’s benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive him.” [Commentary on Romans 5:18]
“True it is that the effect of His death comes not to the whole world. Nevertheless, forasmuch as it is not in us to discern between the righteous and the sinners that go to destruction, but that Jesus Christ has suffered His death and passion as well for them as for us, therefore it behoves us to labour to bring every man to salvation, that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be available to them ...” [Sermon CXVI on the Book of Job (31:29-32)]
“The word many is not put definitely for a fixed number, but for a large number; for he contrasts himself with all others. And in this sense it is used in Romans 5:15, where Paul does not speak of any part of men, but embraces the whole human race.” [Commentary on Matthew 20:28]

“For he intended expressly to state [in John 3:16] that, though we appear to have been born to death, undoubted deliverance is offered to us by the faith of Christ; and, therefore, that we ought not to fear death, which otherwise hangs over us. And he has employed the universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the import of the term World, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the world that is worthy of the favour of God, YET HE SHOWS HIMSELF TO BE RECONCILED TO THE WHOLE WORLD, when he invites all men without exception to faith in Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life.” (Commentary on the Gospel of John)