A Price for a People: The Meaning of Christ's Death

by Tom Wells

Tom Wells meets the widespread need for a clear explanation of the biblical teaching on the meaning of the cross. He also deals with the important question, 'For whom did Christ die?'.

Genres: Theology

165 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Caleb Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent short book on the extent of the atonement. Others I have read on the topic dive too quickly into all the fine details and argue against all the passages that seem to support a universal atonement. Though this book deals with those topics it starts out with a primer on the meaning of Christs death, asking the questions when Christ died on the cross what was actually happening and what was accomplished? He answers the question in 3 categories: redemption, reconciliation and propitiation. In working through these three themes he makes a convincing argument that Christ actually accomplished these 3 things for His people in His death, not just made them possible for every individual who has ever lived. In this sense the atonement is “limited” to His people alone. He goes on to work through many biblical passage as well as addressing the “hard texts” which would seem not to support his view. The chapters are short but not lacking in depth and clarity, and while some theological authors over labor certain points , Wells keeps you engaged with straight to the point arguments that pack a punch. Overall a pretty convincing book that will challenge some of your presuppositions you may not have considered before.
I Would recommend to anyone who wants to consider the question “for whom did Christ die?”
This is not an extensive book on the subject but a very effective one.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book put out by Banner of Truth addresses the question “For Whom Did Christ Die?” I unproductively wrestled heavily with this question in my late teen years because I did not recognize that this question doesn’t stand by itself. What I mean to say is that in order for you to get to the question of the extent of the atonement of Christ, you must first do some legwork on the foundation that allows for that question to be asked in the first place. If you jump straight to it without bringing that foundation along with you, you end up free-falling.

I remember finally seeing this for what it was when I was listening to a sermon series by Paul Washer on the topic of Total Depravity. As an Arminian, I always thought the first and the last points of Calvinism (Total Depravity and Perseverance of the Saints) were the only points that might possibly be true. If man is sinful then it would make sense that all of him was sinful, including his will, and not just parts of him. And if Christ were to save someone from their sin, it would make sense that the sin they were saved from could not overpower the work of Christ in that man. It was a very rudimentary understanding at the time, but it made sense, sorta. But Paul Washer mentioned in his sermons that one cannot simply hold to a single point as if they were petals on a tulip, they must either have the whole flower or none of it at all. The coherence of the 5 points began to formulate in my mind and solidified - at the very least, that the first and last points were inextricably connected and I had to affirm them both. For a while, I called myself a bookend Calvinist for that reason. But the points between the bookends were a lot of trouble for me. I really despised those three points for a long time.

The Limited Atonement doctrine goes by many names, some descriptive and others pejorative. But it frequently is considered the black sheep of Calvinism and its 5 points. What Wells does in this book, and what was instrumental for me in understanding and affirming Limited Atonement, is to clean up the terminology and definitions of it - give it a good shave and haircut and dress it in its Sunday best. It is not something we ought to be ashamed of, although it is a hard and difficult doctrine. But it is hard and difficult for reasons different than I was ever told. Just as important as telling us what Limited Atonement means, is to tell us what it does not mean. Wells gives examples of improper usage and definitions of the doctrine - usage that I was guilty of and taught at home and from other Arminians. Wells provided Biblical and Theological examples of the extent of the Atonement - once you can clearly see it in Scripture at one point, the domino effect begins and you start to see it absolutely everywhere. I recall when this happened to me, I had probably read the Bible cover to cover 4 or 5 times by that point and I could not believe how I missed it. It reminded me of a man who told Charles Spurgeon that he read his Bible countless times and never found anything about sovereign election in the pages. Spurgeon replied “As to reading through the Bible twenty times without having found anything about the doctrine of election, the wonder is that you found anything at all: you must have galloped through it at such a rate that you were not likely to have any intelligible idea of the meaning of the Scriptures."

Wells defense of Limited Atonement is a pastoral defense and not an academic defense. Which is to say that his goal is not simply intellectual assent to the doctrine, but conformity to the doctrine. We take many things for granted in the Bible without ever taking the time to study them. One example that Wells offers is that repudiation of Limited Atonement that it goes against the love of God for mankind. But as Wells surprisingly shows, there are zero references to God or Christ loving man in the book of Matthew, Luke, or Acts. There is a single verse in Mark 10:21 that mentions Christ loving the man whom he told to tell all his possessions and follow Him - but the word can also simply mean compassion. This is all not to say that God for some reason doesn’t love mankind, but it is to say the love of God for mankind was certainly not central to the writings of the apostles or the 1st century Church. Wells reminds us that we are prone to focus on ourselves as the central and peak point of God’s love, but we ought to see that as God’s love for His Son. Because God loved the Son, he loves those whom the Son has died for and redeemed.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible little book. Wells is a down-to-earth writer, and does not write as an academician trying to simply address but ideas. He communicates clearly and Biblically. Especially helpful/new in this book to me were two ideas: 1. The call to repent is a call to "drop your arms" against God. Just like an enemy surrenders their weapons, we surrender our hostility towards God and submit to His dominion. 2. The Bible only explicitly mentions God's love for people in two places! I would have thought much more emphasis would be placed on His love, but it is not. We should remember this when telling others of the gospel that "God loves you and has a plan for your life" is not the thrust of the Bible. It's to repent and obey Christ as you trust in His finished work on the cross.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great defense of the doctrine of definite atonement. The author includes a section that covers the supposed "universal" terms in the Bible. Excellent resource. Be warry of the author's New Covenant Theology views.

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read for such deep material. The short chapters combined with Tom Wells' clarity of thought make it hard to put down (even as a theology book).

In this work, Wells puts forth very sound and Scripture saturated arguments for particular redemption/limited atonement/definite atonement.

A very great read, and a terrific way to grow in theology and understanding of God's Word and what Christ has done for the very people He came to save!

[Fishingaddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Definitely helps the reader understand limited atonement better and makes a good case for it.