Post by Jesse Morrell on Aug 11, 2008 11:44:38 GMT -5
I have heard Calvinists reason like this:
- Christ suffered the punishment that the elect deserve
- God cannot punish the same sins twice
- Therefore, those for whom Christ died cannot perish
(I disagree with their premise. The punishment that sinners deserve is eternity in hell).
Their argument assumes the retributive satisfaction view of the atonement, and from that premise they logically conclude that those for whom Christ died CANNOT be punished, they HAVE TO BE saved. Justice requires that they be saved, it would be unjust for God to punish them. They do not believe that the atonement made salvation possible for everyone, but automatic for a few. In their view, grace is not offered to everyone, but justice requires the salvation of a few.
There are many problems with this view, but let's just start with the Scriptural problems. How do they get around these following passages which clearly say those for whom Christ died can in fact perish for their sin, even though an atonement for their sin has been provided:
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shalll devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of God?" Heb. 10:26-31
"And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" 1 Cor. 8:11
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d**nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Pet. 2:1
It seems clear to me that men will perish for their sin, despite the fact that Christ died for them, because they do not repent of their sins.
- Christ suffered the punishment that the elect deserve
- God cannot punish the same sins twice
- Therefore, those for whom Christ died cannot perish
(I disagree with their premise. The punishment that sinners deserve is eternity in hell).
Their argument assumes the retributive satisfaction view of the atonement, and from that premise they logically conclude that those for whom Christ died CANNOT be punished, they HAVE TO BE saved. Justice requires that they be saved, it would be unjust for God to punish them. They do not believe that the atonement made salvation possible for everyone, but automatic for a few. In their view, grace is not offered to everyone, but justice requires the salvation of a few.
There are many problems with this view, but let's just start with the Scriptural problems. How do they get around these following passages which clearly say those for whom Christ died can in fact perish for their sin, even though an atonement for their sin has been provided:
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shalll devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of God?" Heb. 10:26-31
"And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" 1 Cor. 8:11
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d**nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Pet. 2:1
It seems clear to me that men will perish for their sin, despite the fact that Christ died for them, because they do not repent of their sins.