Evangelism and Definite Atonement

As a Calvinist open-air preacher, I  occasionally find myself saying things I wish I could retract. Since open-air preaching requires one to think and speak quickly. It is easy for a preacher, unintentionally, to preach something doctrinally unsound. Quite recently, I did precisely that. I began to preach on the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, but when I got to the subject of the atonement, however, I unintentionally preached universal atonement. In retrospect, this occurrence was due to simplicity and ambiguity (i.e. the necessary distinctions and nuances to clarify precise doctrine was not made). I preached that Christ died for the sins of all those that----will repent and trust in Christ alone for salvation. The way in which this statement is phrased, isolated from all the other precious truths of God's gifts of repentance and faith (2 Tim 2:25; Eph 2:8-10), gives the false impression that Christ's death on the cross is ineffectual apart from man's contribution of repentance and faith. 

So how can one rightly preach definite atonement in the open-air? Let's look at how some do it.

Tony Miano writes,

"God is also merciful, loving, and kind in that He provided one way to escape that punishment; and that was through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ: fully-God and fully-Man, without sin. He died on the cross a death He did not deserve, in order to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve, for your sins against God. And then three days later He forever defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. What God requires of you is that you repent (turn from your sin and turn toward God) and by faith alone, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior."(1)  

Matt Slick explains,

"The gospel is historical event where Jesus died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2).  This is the only way to be saved from God's righteous judgment upon those who have sinned by breaking his Law.
Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2).  He is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6).  He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27).  He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18).  It is only through Him that you can be saved from God's wrath (Eph. 2:3).  He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:1-8).  He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul.  Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair.  He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24) so that those who trust in Him would be saved."(2)

James D. Kennedy states,

"He [Jesus] died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and purchase a place in Heaven for us."(3) 

John Piper declares,

"The good news is that Christ died for sinners like us. And he rose physically from the dead to validate the saving power of his death and to open the gates of eternal life and joy (1 Corinthians 15:20). This means God can acquit guilty sinners and still be just (Romans 3:25-26). “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Coming home to God is where all deep and lasting satisfaction is found." (4)

Paul Washer further expounds,

"Motivated by Love

• God is love. By this the love of God is manifested in us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10

The Cross of Christ

• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26"(5)

Thoughts on how to preach definite atonement.

1. Stick to the text. If you continue to quote Scripture on the subject you can't go wrong. Simply because you are not trusting in your personal formulations but on God's formulations.
2. Don't be afraid to clarify parts of the gospel by carefully articulating how it relates to the whole gospel.
 




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(1)Tony Miano. http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Are-You-Ready-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-075.htm
(2)Matt Slick. http://carm.org/jesus-saves
(3) James D. Kennedy. Evangelism Explosion International: New Testament NKJV (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982)B15.
(4)John Piper. Quest For Joy.  http://www.crossway.org/tracts/quest-for-joy-2838/
(5)Paul Washer.  http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/the-gospel    

Common Objections

Some of the most common objections on college campuses.



1. Prove God exists.
In what way would the person asking this objection accept "proof"? Empirical, logical or historical proof? How about all three. If you deny the God of Scripture exists you must affirm there is no such thing as proof. Since God is the foundation for logic, and regularity of nature. How's that for proof that God exists?

2. The Bible is written by men so it cannot be infallible. This is a Non-sequetor. Why can't man tell the truth in a book? Men do it all the time in college textbooks, right?

3. God cannot send people to hell just for not believing in him. Who says men go to hell for simply unbelief? The true nature of sin demands the holy and good God send people to hell.

4. There is more than one way to God. So if my way affirms there is exclusively only one way to God by Jesus Christ is this true to get me to God? If you say yes, then you agree there is only one way, but if you disagree, then all ways do not lead to God, specifically Christianity?

5. If God exists why is there evil? God has a morally sufficient reason for planning evil.

6. There are contradictions in the Bible. Where? Christians affirm contradictions are wrong because they do not reflect God's perfect rationality he created us to reflect. But why should a non-Christian care about contradictions?

7. Christianity borrows from Paganism. This is a genetic fallacy. True beliefs can be acquired independently from a group without having to borrow from another group.

8. Christians don't have the right to judge people according to Jesus.Yes he does say judge righteous judgement.

9. Jesus never claimed to be God. Ok then why did he die? The Jews wanted him killed because of what? Blasphemy, right? What did he say that would provoke the Jews to charge Jesus with blasphemy? John 8:58-59 makes it evident Jesus was claiming deity.

10. Christianity is just a institution established by the elites to keep power over the non-elites. Utterly arbitrary! But so what if its true? It doesn't negate Christianity's truth.

11. Christianity is just a projection of man's nature. Genetic fallacy.

12. Science proves Christianity is false. How so? Given my answer to (1 ) it actually proves it true.

13. What will happen to people in foreign lands who have never heard the gospel? They will go to hell for their willful ignorance. God has given us all sufficient knowledge to serve Him. But many still rebel against him.