What is recorded below, is a synopsis of a two part talk recently given at a small think-tank. I was asked to attend and bring something to the group of how my understanding of the doctrine of the atonement had changed. Why I no longer hold to the more typical conceptions and formulations surrounding the idea of “Limited Atonement” – and yet do not surrender one iota of ground on the realities of God’s sovereignty in salvation, nor His own sovereign election of men unto to salvation, nor His power and action in predestination.

If you would prefer to hear the audio of these two presentations, you can click HERE: REID’S AUDIO and once there, click on the two sessions bearing my name. They were a bit stream-of-consciousness, but also cover some other areas which might be helpful and/or of interest.

For a tremendous amount of research into this topic regarding Calvin’s own statements on the atonement, as well as many other of the Reformers and Puritans – CLICK HERE FOR CALVIN & CALVINISM

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1 – “Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men whom he had struck down along with Gedaliah was the large cistern that King Asa had made for defense against Baasha king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.” (Jeremiah 41:9, ESV)

RAF: Our minds, particularly our memories, are reservoirs from which we draw reserves of God’s provision in the dry seasons or when under siege from the Enemy. If we fill our memories with sights and sounds of dead and corrupting things, what will we draw from in times of trial?

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1 – “ These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon…” “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, ESV)

RAF: So how are Christians to live in this present state of exile, when we are still not yet in the New Jerusalem? Live life. Do not retreat. Do not hide. Build houses, plant crops, marry, have kids, and let your kids get married and have kids – and don’t decrease. And we are seek the welfare of the place where we are. To bless the community around us. To pray for the society in which we find ourselves and do not run from it or curse it. For God has appointed that in its welfare, WE will find our own welfare.

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1 – “ Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?” (Jeremiah 12:1, ESV)

RAF: Note this chapter’s 3 sections. a. 1-4 / Jeremiah’s question: How is it that God can be so hard on His people, when the heathen seem to prosper? b. 5-13 / The Lord answers: Because Israel’s sin is a sin of betrayal – of forsaking their relationship with Him. c. 14-17 / The Lord answers more: But don’t forget, I will restore my people. And those who prospered due to my chastening Israel – will pay for it. Heavenly Father, may we live with complete confidence in your love and faithfulness.

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1 – “Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?’ And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.” (Jeremiah 2:5-8, ESV)

RAF: Whenever we fall into sin, this is the question we must ask ourselves: “What wrong did we find in our God, that we went after what worthlessness. All sin stems from a defect in love. So it is we (like Israel) have some desire, but do not go seeking our God in regard to it. We do not say “Where is the Lord?” But we grow forgetful that He has made us to find our satisfaction in Him. If we remain unsatisfied – it is because we have sought out and obtained so little of Him, not that He does not satisfy.

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