S Lewis Johnson's foreword to "Definite Atonement" by Gary Long
Mike Abendroth
Gary Long's book, "Definite Atonement"-
"My long friendship with Dr. Long goes back to the years in which he was a student and I a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. In those days we had many conversations and times together...I look back upon those years as a time of further spiritual and theological growth for me."
"My own theological position at the time was what might be called Amyraldian, although not strictly true to historical Amyraldism, or hypothetical universalism. I frequently used the term, "four point Calvinist," to express my view...I really did believe in the bondage of the will and rejected the capital Arminian doctrine of free will, embraced by so many evangelicals calling themselves "Calvinists," or "mild Calvinists.""
"The personal debt that I owe to Dr. Long consists in the fact that, through our talks together and the further study of the question of particular redemption in the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which they fostered, I was brought to an understanding and acceptance of consistent soteriological Calvinism."
"I am, therefore, very indebted to Dr. Long and to the insights that he shared with me concerning the biblical doctrine of grace. He was a fine student in his work at the seminary, and I believe that this is evidenced in his book, which was originally a master's thesis presented to the seminary as part of the requirements for the degree of Th.M."
"The method of treatment of the issue that Dr. Long has followed is both theological and exegetical. The first part of the work is theological, and the author argues persuasively and quite thoroughly for the accomplishment of a definite atonement by our Lord in His death upon Calvary's cross. As an Appendix he has treated in exegetical detail the leading texts offered by Arminians in objection to the author's position. The texts dealt with are 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 2:2, and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Thus, there is both theology and exegesis in the defense."
"There are so many useful and helpful discussions of important aspects of the doctrine of God's grace in this book that I can only say, "Read it! Ponder it! And embrace the truth! It will be mind-clearing, heart-warming, and spiritually nourishing.""
"Perhaps I may be allowed to make one final comment. To my mind the concept of the universal and spiritually egalitarian love of God lies at the base of a great deal of the spiritual failure of our day. In fact, it is a doctrine that is eminently calculated to give comfort to the apathetic and indifferent among us, who seem to be dwelling in a spiritual coma."
"I heartily recommend Dr. Long's discussion of God's eternal love, immutable and distinguishing. It is surely a needed warning to the complacent and an antidote to evangelicalism's current superficiality in the preaching of divine grace."
Thanks.
Thomas Watson, "[Jesus] alone is the Prince of Preachers. He alone is the best of expositors."