When we speak of the necessity of the atonement, this raises a more basic issue. Is anything necessary for God? If God is almighty and wanted to save, could He not simply save men without an atonement? This was debated by the Medieval Christian theologians, with Anselm defending the necessity of the atonement and Duns Scotus and Abelard questioning or denying it. If God is almighty, is anything necessary for Him.
What does Scripture teach? Paradoxically, Scripture teaches both that God is almighty and that there are at least three things God cannot do.
He cannot lie. Tit 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
He cannot die. 1 Tim 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible & 6:16 who alone possesses immortality
He cannot deny Himself. 2 Tim 2:13 He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
God’s power is connected to His rational and moral nature. The children’s catechism asks: Can God do all things? It answers wisely: Yes, God can do all His holy will. It is no infringement on His omnipotence that He cannot do things that are unholy or irrational.
Thus, the Scripture teaches that the atonement made by Christ was necessary. This is taught in many texts, but here are some of the most important assertions of its necessity.
Heb 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might … make propitiation for the sins of the people. “He had” translates a verb meaning “to be in debt” and generally “to be under obligation.”
Gal 3:21 “… For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.” What is the reason for this absolute preference? The reason is stated in the near context. It is the awful price Christ paid for our recovery. Gal 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us…” If it had been possible, if the atonement was not necessary, not merely a law able to impart life, but any other method, would have been preferable to this cursing of the Christ.
But what made the atonement necessary? It was, of course, God Himself. And what about God made it necessary? The Confession speaks of the satisfaction of the justice of God made by the atonement. Paragraph 5 affirms: “The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation …”
The Scripture supports this view. Consider these texts.
Rom 3:26 for the demonstration … of His righteousness … so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Gal 4:4 God sent forth His Son…born under the Law
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.
In the atonement made by the Son of God, God saved us from God! Christ satisfied the divine justice by His sacrifice.
Dr. Sam Waldron is the Academic Dean of CBTS and professor of Systematic Theology. He is also one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Waldron received a B.A. from Cornerstone University, an M.Div. from Trinity Ministerial Academy, a Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977 to 2001 he was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Waldron is the author of numerous books including A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The End Times Made Simple, Baptist Roots in America, To Be Continued?, and MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto: A Friendly Response.
