On his website, Arminian Perspectives, Ben Henshaw has a questions page at which he answers questions about Arminianism and Calvinism that visitors to his site pose in the comment section of the page. Here is a question from a woman named Mary followed by Ben’s answer.
Question: There is something I am having trouble wrapping my brain around and I am hoping that you can help. It is in regard to sin and the cross. Scripture teaches that our sins were nailed to the cross and Jesus “put them away” – once and for all – when He died on the cross 2000 years ago. He ransomed us – and on the cross Jesus said “It is finished”. So, how is it that not everyone is saved then? I know that the Bible clearly says that not everyone is saved – but, based on the fact that Jesus became sin for us and was crucified, It seems like this is a contradiction. I know there are no contradictions in scripture, so there has to be some way to reconcile these two teachings, but I don’t know what it is. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Answer:
The answer is that the atonement is provisional and conditionally applied. Here are a few posts that might help you. Let me know if you still have questions after that.
