Calvinists teach that Limited Atonement is necessary to preserve the two basic attributes of God, namely his justice and the integrity of his purposes. - Erwin Lutzer

“Calvinists teach that [Limited Atonement] is necessary to preserve the two basic attributes of God, namely his justice and the integrity of his purposes. The argument goes like this: Suppose I were to owe you a thousand dollars but was unable to pay my debt. But a kind friend intervenes and pays you what I owe. But you still elicit a payment from me, asking that I pay every last cent. Would that be just? I think not. If my friend paid my debt, justice requires that I be free. The analogy is clear: if Christ’s sacrifice was for all men then either all men will be saved or God will be unfairly demanding from sinners what has already been paid. If Christ died for people who will be in hell, his justice is in jeopardy. How could a righteous God demand a double payment for the same debt?” 

– Erwin Lutzer
The Doctrines That Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians p.183


Erwin W. Lutzer (born October 3, 1941) is an evangelical Christian pastor, teacher and author. He is currently the senior pastor of Moody Church, in Chicago, Illinois.


Lutzer served as senior pastor of Edgewater Baptist Church, Chicago, from 1971 to 1977. During that time he completed an M.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago. Previously he had earned the Master of Theology (Th.M.) from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1967. He then entered the PhD program at Loyola to pursue a doctorate in Philosophy;however, he did not complete his dissertation.In subsequent years, Lutzer has received two honorary doctorates, an LL.D. from Simon Greenleaf School of Law and a Doctor of Divinity from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.