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Examined Doctrine

R.C. Sproul on Extent of the atonement

1939 – 2017 · PRESBYTERIAN (PCA)
STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNTAFFIRMS°
STANCE

Definite — for the elect, effectually

THE POSITION

Standard 5-point Reformed ("TULIP") position — Christ's death is definite and effectual for the elect specifically, not a general provision merely made possible for all. Not directly confirmed against a dedicated video this round; the one Solus Christus video reviewed addressed imputation and justification rather than the scope of the atonement.

7 OTHERS HOLD THIS

Voddie BauchamJonathan EdwardsSecond London Baptist ConfessionJohn MacArthurJohn OwenJohn PiperWestminster Confession
Universal — for all, applied on faithJACOBUS ARMINIUS · ATHANASIUS · CHRYSOSTOM · LUTHER · PHILIP MELANCHTHON · WESLEY
Sufficient for all, efficient for the electAQUINAS · CALVIN · CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON
Never framed in these termsAUGUSTINE · JOSH HOWERTON · NICAEA I · ZWINGLI
See all 24 figures on extent of the atonement →

ABOUT THIS FIGURE

Founder of Ligonier Ministries and teaching elder in the PCA. Chaired the drafting committee for the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy; best known for The Holiness of God and for popularizing Reformed theology — the five solas and TULIP — for a lay audience.

11 OF 17 POSITIONS QUOTED
Everything R.C. Sproul holds →
Cite this page

"R.C. Sproul on Extent of the atonement", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/sproul/atonement-extent (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/sproul/atonement-extent).

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