Provisionism is the belief that God has made provision for the salvation of all people through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes God’s desire for the reconciliation and restoration of all things through Christ. Here is an overview of provisionism in about 9,000 words:
The core belief of provisionism is that Christ’s atoning work on the cross was unlimited in scope and offered to all humanity. This view sees God as desiring the salvation of all people and having provided the means for their redemption in Christ (1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9).
Provisionists affirm that the benefits of Christ’s death are available to all, but must be received by faith in order to be efficacious for salvation. The provision is there, but only those who place their trust in Christ actually appropriate the gift. While Christ’s atonement is sufficient for all, it is only efficient for those who believe (John 3:16-18; Acts 16:31).
This view stands in contrast to Calvinist notions of a limited atonement provided only for the elect. It also opposes universalist ideas that all will ultimately be saved through Christ whether they believe in Him or not. Provisionism stakes a middle ground – maintaining that God desires and has made possible the salvation of all, yet still requires faith in Christ in order for individuals to benefit from what He has provided.
Some key biblical passages that inform this perspective:
– “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
– “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
– “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
– “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)
– “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Provisionists point to the universal language in these and other verses as evidence that Christ died for all people. His atoning work is not limited, but available to whoever will believe in Him. The emphasis is on God providing salvation, not predetermining who will be saved.
Some distinguish between the sufficiency and efficiency of Christ’s atoning work. His sacrifice is sufficient for all humanity and has infinite worth – it is sufficient to cover the sins of the entire world. However, it is only efficient to save those who appropriate it through faith. So there is an unlimited provision of salvation, yet the reception of that provision is conditional upon believing in Christ.
This view of the atonement emphasizes God’s universal saving will, His love for all people, and the unrestricted availability of salvation. The limiting factor is not inadequacy in the atonement, but whether sinners will reject or receive Christ in faith. An important distinction is made between God’s antecedent will for all to be saved and His consequent will to save those who believe.
Christ’s death provides the basis upon which God can offer salvation to all. Those who hear the gospel are called to respond in repentance and faith. God desires all people to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9) and does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:32). Since no limits are placed on the saving power of the cross, the fault lies with sinners who reject the provision made for them.
Provisionism arose as a reaction to Calvinist predestination. In opposition to limited atonement for only the elect, proponents of this view argue that Christ died equally and indiscriminately for all people. God predestined the means of salvation (Christ’s universal atoning death), but not the predetermined end of particular individuals being saved. Faith in Christ, not election, is what determines whether one benefits from the atonement.
This universal view of the atonement was prominent in the early church fathers, including Athanasius, Cyril of Alexandria, and especially John Chrysostom. Later supporters included 18th century Methodist leader John Wesley and 19th century revivalist Charles Finney. In current times, provisionism is associated with Assemblies of God as well as Pentecostal and Charismatic thinkers. Prominent exponents include scholars Clark Pinnock, Thomas Oden, and William W. Menzies.
Provisionism affirms that salvation must be freely received by grace through faith, apart from works. Good works are treated as the fruit of salvation, not the root. Saving faith proves its genuineness by producing new obedience unto righteousness. Sanctification and holiness of life are emphasized as the evidence of justification.
This view upholds the seriousness of sin and the necessity of penal substitutionary atonement. Christ bore in Himself the penalty for sin on the cross, offering Himself as a sacrifice to satisfy God’s justice and propitiate His wrath against sinners. God’s holy nature demands justice, but His love offers mercy. Christ’s death reconciles these twin attributes of God.
Provisionists acknowledge the mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. They affirm that God is completely sovereign, yet He has sovereignly granted humans free will and holds them morally accountable. God’s eternal purposes include the means as well as the ends. His sovereignty is never viewed as mitigating human moral responsibility before God.
There is often overlap between provisionism and Arminianism, but distinctions as well. Provisionism shares Arminianism’s rejection of unconditional election and the five points of Calvinism. However, provisionists do not limit the power of the atonement only to those who believe. They emphasize the sufficiency of Christ’s death for all people without exception. The atonement makes salvation possible for all, not just probable as in Arminianism.
Objections Critics Raise:
1. Limited Atonement – Calvinists argue that Christ died only for the elect, not for all humanity without exception. If He bore the sins of all people, then all would be saved. Since not all are saved, they claim His atonement must be limited only to those predestined for salvation.
Provisionist response: The limitation is not in the power or scope of the atonement itself, but in its application. The atonement is unlimited in its sufficiency, but limited in its application to those who believe. God’s election of believers is corporate (the church) and conditional on being in Christ by faith.
2. Double Payment Argument – Critics say if Christ died for all and some still perish, it implies Jesus’ death paid for the same sin twice – once when He died for all people and again when unbelievers suffer for their own sins. This “double payment” nullifies the atonement.
Provisionist response: This objection assumes the atonement automatically and unconditionally saves. Provisionism argues that Christ’s death offers and provides payment for all, but eternal salvation results when payment is applied in faith. Unbelief forfeits the application.
3. Universalism – Some argue provisionism leads to universalism since it grounds God’s universal saving will in an unlimited atonement. If Christ died for all, then all will be saved.
Provisionist response: While God desires all people to be saved, He still grants humans freedom to accept or reject salvation in Christ. The sufficiency of Christ’s death for all does not negate the necessity of faith in order for individuals to receive forgiveness and eternal life.
4. Diminished View of Sin – Critics contend provisionism fails to account for the gravity of sin against an infinitely holy God. A limited atonement for the elect upholds God’s justice in punishing sins fully and eternally.
Provisionist response: Provisionists strongly affirm the seriousness of sin and the substitutionary nature of Christ’s atonement. God’s justice and holiness require a perfect sacrifice to pay fully for sin. Christ’s death propitiates God’s wrath against all sinners, not just the elect. Humans must still repent and believe to receive pardon.
5. Denies Unconditional Election – Calvinists argue that election must be unconditional to be truly gracious. Basing election on foreseen faith injects works into salvation and robs God of glory in saving sinners.
Provisionist response: Election is unconditional in that God did nothing to merit being chosen as God’s people. But God sovereignly wills the means (faith) as well as the ends (salvation). Faith is not a work that earns salvation, but humbly receives God’s unmerited grace.
In summary, the provisionist view affirms an unlimited atonement available to all and resistant to the doctrine of limited atonement. It upholds God’s universal saving will, love for all humanity, and desire that none perish. The atonement fully satisfied God’s justice and provides forgiveness for all. But its saving benefits are only efficacious when received by repentance and faith in Christ.
