the nature of the atonement

in a previous post, three kinds of atonement, i wrote that:

the way i see it, there are three ways of understanding the atonement:

1. limited atonement - Christ died for the elect but not for the unelect.
2. unlimited atonement - Christ died for the elect and the unelect.
3. definite atonement - Christ died for the elect; no comment on whether Christ died for the unelect.

Scripture clearly teaches that Christ died for the elect. but just because Christ died for the elect does not mean that Christ did not die for the unelect. of course, it does not mean that Christ died for the unelect either. it simply means that Christ died for the elect.

however, in my conversations with various people, it appears that most people who would describe themselves as 5-point calvinists believe that Christ died for all (ie. the elect and the unelect), just not efficiently/effectively/electively for all. perhaps it is a mistake on my part to say that 5-point calvinists believe that Christ died for the elect but not for the unelect. to this end, i would like to revise my position on the nature of the atonement.

if we define limited atonement as the atonement being sufficient for all but efficient for some, then by definition the atonement is limited (to the elect). i completely agree that in this sense, the atonement is limited. the question, then, is not whether the atonement is limited. the question is why the atonement is limited. is the atonement limited because it is not given to all, or is the atonement limited because it is not received by all?

as a non-5-point calvinist (if there is such a thing), i believe that in one sense, the atonement is unlimited; in another sense, the atonement is limited. the atonement is unlimited in how it is given by God and limited in how it is received by man. i also believe that in one sense, election is unconditional; in another sense, election is conditional. election is unconditional in how it is given by God and conditional in how it is received by man.

*****

total depravity - yes
unconditional election - yes in one sense, no in another sense
limited atonement - yes in one sense, no in another sense
irresistible grace - no
perseverance of the saints - yes