What is the Biblical argument against Limited Atonement? The "L" in the TULIP acronym of Reformed Theology stands for Limited Atonement, which the Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms defines as:


  Sometimes called 'particular redemption,' the view that Jesus' death
  secured salvation for only a limited number of persons (the elect),
  in contrast to the idea that the work of the cross is intended for all
  humankind (as in “unlimited atonement”). This view resulted from the
  post-Reformation development of the doctrine of election in Calvinist
  circles. Proponents claim that because not everyone is saved, God
  could not have intended that Christ die for everyone.


We already have a question asking for the Biblical basis for Limited Atonement, so my question is what is the Biblical argument against Limited Atonement?
Limited atonement brings with it the implication that not anyone can be saved by Christ - only those for whom he atoned.  The language used in the Bible to describe salvation is inclusive.  It is described as being presented to whosoever wills.  In 1 Timothy, Paul claims that God desires all people to be saved.


  1 Timothy 2:3-6 (ESV)
  3&nbsp; This is good, and  it is pleasing in the sight of  God our Savior, 4&nbsp; who desires  all people to be saved and  to come to  the knowledge of the truth. 5&nbsp; For  there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6&nbsp;  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is  the testimony given  at the proper time.


This would make little sense in light of limited atonement, and in fact, the presence of the phrase "ransom for all" seems to directly contradict it.  If God desires all people to be saved, then why would salvation not be even theoretically available to some?  If God desires all people to be saved, then wouldn't he offer it to the entire world?  John tells us that this is exactly what he did:


  John 3:16 (ESV)
  16&nbsp; “For  God so loved  the world,  that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not  perish but have eternal life.