Knox:

LIMITED ATONEMENT

Substitution in sin-bearing is the center of the New Testament doctrine of the Atonement, as well as the Old Testament adumbration of it. A Realization of this makes impossible the concept that Christ’s redeeming work is continuing in Heaven now, or that we can join our obedience to his as part of the act of redemption.

On the other hand, there is a way of viewing Christ’s satisfaction for sin which limits it in extent, so that Christ’s atonement is not co-extensive with humanity, but is limited to those elect of God only. However, that the work of Christ extends uniformly to the whole of humanity becomes clear when it is considered under the following heads:

(a) The Incarnation. When Christ rook man’s nature in the womb of the blessed virgin, he rook the nature which all men share, and not the nature of the elect only.

(b) Christ’s Perfect righteousness. When Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God, he fulfilled the obligation which rests on all men equally, and nor an obligation which the elect alone have.

(c) Christ’s Victory. When our Lord overcame all the wiles of the devil and bound the strong man, he overcame the common enemy of mankind, and not the enemy of the elect only.

(d) Christ’s Bearing of the Curse. When our Lord, through his death on the cross, became a curse, he bore the curse which God threatens against all breakers of his covenant, and nor the curse which is particularly applicable to the elect.

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