Here it is.

I have to confess i lost the book i wanted to quote from and don't remember the whole of the question i sought to answer. I'll do my best to bring it out and see what happens.
Substitutionary atonement has to do with the idea that we are all guilty before God, but that Jesus suffered a horrible death and the wrath of God in our place. We deserved that punishment as retribution for our sin, but God provided atonement for OUR SIN (yours and mine) through the punishment of his son. So the question then is, was that substitutionary death sufficient for salvation? If Jesus truly did pay enough of a penalty for everyone's sin (which i tend to believe), we have to say that there is something else required for salvation besides this substitutionary atonement (since not everyone has salvation). It is atonement plus something for salvation.
Now John Murray would say that it is application of that redemption to us by the Spirit, and in that way Jesus is the surety or savior for his elect. Is this ok?
This will get us started, let us dive into scripture and discover what we can about this mystery about why i am saved.

so is it unlimited, or limited?

Well, I have been busy getting ready for our area leadership retreat this weekend (i spent most of today just doing the food!). HOWEVER, i am eager to discuss something on this blog about the controversial L in TULIP- that's right, limited atonement. As a teaser, i like Mark Driscoll's "unlimited limited atonement" idea, and i think it makes sense scripturally and with regard to the Canons of Dordt.
BUT, i've been reading a little book called "In My Place, Condemned He Stood" by Packer and Dever. It talks about limited atonement and Christ's penal substitutionary atoning death. I've been thinking about this along with some other awesome works, namely "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" and "Redemption; Accomplished and Applied." I wonder if Driscoll's unlimited limited view holds up. I'll write about it after the retreat!

back on the horse

I had to wash my hair, then the dog ate my computer, and i'm sure i have some other bad excuses for not posting in quite some time. Anyway, i'll start this back up slowly and try to keep up with stuff on this blog. My good friend Kyle Borg showed me this video. While i had the pleasure of visiting with him this week. This shouldn't be anything controversial, just Piper going after the heresy of prosperity gospel. I love it and want to share it. It stirred within me similar feelings of hatred toward the heresy. It ruins the true gospel of Jesus Christ and tears apart people's beliefs. Thanks again Dr. Piper for so fluently putting together words and emotions to make a God-exalting point!