This article examines the doctrine of the atonement of Christ as a teaching that has received a lot of attention and has been the subject of much debate in the past. At issue in this article is the Reformed claim that Christ died for only the elect (limited atonement). This is opposed by those who claim that this would mean a limiting of the power or effect of Christ's atonement. The author deals with this issue on the basis of scriptural arguments raised from both sides of the debate.

What different categories of theology exist? This article presents three: Pelagian, Semi-Pelagin, and Calvinist. It discusses each, and has a special focus on the third and its biblical underpinnings regarding the condition of man after the fall.