Dan Chapa

Having finished the review of Owen’s objections to unlimited atonement I wanted to briefly review where we have been and go over, God willing, where we are going. Where We Have Been. We started with a Review of Owen’s understanding of the atonement . This shows Owen’s primary misunderstanding in Books 1 & 2 of the Death of Death in the Death of Christ, relating to the differences between Christ’s death and His intercession. Then we moved to the top 10 reasons to believe Christ died for all . Owen’s objections to these reasons, found in Book 4, were discussed as well. Included within the top 10 was a detailed analysis of every New Testament usage of the word world , to discover the right sense in which Christ died for the world. Recently, we just finished reviewing Owen’s arguments against unlimited atonement . This step-by-step review of Owen’s objections to unlimited atonement covers Book 3. What’s Upcoming I plan on taking a break from the topic for little bit, while I fo...

Owen’s Argument 16i (final): Various Passages of Scripture - Love your wives Text Eph. v. 25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Owen’s Explanation Just as a husband shouldn’t love other woman, so Christ doesn’t love the non-elect. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation The passage doesn’t say non-elect, it says the Church. Does Christ not love the elect before they become a part of the Church? But to demonstrate the Christ loved unbelievers here’s a passage: Mark 10:21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. While it’s true husbands have a special love for their wives, they are to love all believers (including females). Fathers love their daughters. Sons love their mothers… The point is there are different kinds of love. ...

Owen’s Argument 16h: Various Passages of Scripture - I pray not for the world Text John xvii. 9, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” Owen’s Explanation None given. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation It’s true that Christ intercedes only for the elect. He died for all and intercedes for some.

Owen’s Argument 16g: Various Passages of Scripture - Made Righteousness Text 2 Cor. v. 21, “He hath made him to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Owen’s Explanation Everyone for whom Christ was made to be sin, or a sin offering, is made righteousness. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation Owen correctly notes that the passage could be saying Christ was made a sin offering. As far as everyone for whom Christ was offered becoming righteousness, the verb genometha (might be made) is in the subjunctive mood, not indicative. So their becoming righteous isn’t certain, but rather uncertain. This passage just indicates the intent of the offering, not the effect.

Owen’s Argument 16f: Various Passages of Scripture - Redemption through His Blood The argument based on redemption has already been dealt with here .

Owen’s Argument 16e: Various Passages of Scripture - Intercession Text Romans 8:32-34 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; 34who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Owen’s Explanation Owen gives three arguments based on this text. First, God’s greatest act of love is sending His Son to die. So, it’s a small matter to dispense salvation and He would freely give it to those Christ died for. Second, the passage says Christ died for the elect. Third, Christ intercedes for those He died for. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation The passage is talking about the elect so it’s no surprise that God is freely giving all things, justifying and Christ is interceding. But ...

Owen’s Argument 16d: Various Passages of Scripture - The Sheep This argument has already been addressed here .

Owen’s Argument 16c: Various Passages of Scripture - Hiding of the Gospel Text Matt. xi. 25, 26, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight Owen’s Explanation God reveals the Gospel to some people outwardly and to some people inwardly. Likewise, God hides the Gospel to some people outwardly and from some people inwardly. Surly Christ didn’t die for those God hides the message of salvation from. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation God’s revelation generally follows the principle that “unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” Thus, those that refuse God’s first motions of enabling grace are not granted greater grace. We see this principle at work in the verses immediately following the one Owen quotes. ...

Owen’s Argument 16b: Various Passages of Scripture - Never Knew You Text Matt. vii. 23, “I will profess unto them, I never knew you John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep Owen’s Explanation Christ knows the elect and doesn’t know the reprobate. Couldn’t the reprobate answer, don’t you remember us? You died for us. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation Of course, God the Son is omniscient, but that’s not what these passages are talking about. “Know” is used in a special, relational sense in these passages. It’s not general knowledge, but intimate knowledge. It’s true that Christ has a relational knowledge with believers alone. They are united with in faith. This relational knowledge brings fellowship, intimacy and the blessings Christ procured by His death. 1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have f...

Owen’s Argument 16a: Various Passages of Scripture - Seed of the Serpent Text Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Owen’s Explanation The woman’s seed is Christ and all the elect and serpent’s seed are the reprobate. God promised enmity between Christ and the reprobate, so Christ (the woman’s seed) didn’t die for the reprobate (the serpents seed), because He is at enmity with them. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html Refutation My main concern here is: is this passage specific enough for Owen’s point? I do think that Christ is the seed of the woman and those who will not believe are the serpent’s seed. The crushing underfoot is not in reference to the reprobate, but Satan directly as is evident by the “thy” and “thou”, which refer to the serpent. This understanding is confirmed by Paul’s understanding as well in Romans 16:20, where he says: And the G...

Owen’s Argument 15: Christ died “for” us P1: The biblical expression “Christ died for us” means Christ’s death substituted for the death others should have died P2: Both Christ and a person cannot die for the same sins P3: Some die for their sins C1: Therefore, Christ didn’t die for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.x.html Scriptures Cited by Owen Heb. ii. 9, “That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man,” Romans 5:7-8: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. What does Christ died for our sins mean? The expression “Christ died for us” is equivocal. “For” can either mean on behalf of or it can mean in place of. When an athlete says that I ran this race for my mom, he doesn’t mean his mom was going to run it. Rather, he was thinking of his mom and intended his performance to make her...

Owen’s Argument 14: Christ’s Merit P1: Christ’s death merited release from the sin debt for those He died for P2: Not all are released from their sin debt C1: Therefore, Christ didn’t die for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.x.html Scriptures Cited by Owen Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Explanation of Christ’s Merit Christ’s merit isn’t a biblical term, nor is it one typically used by evangelicals. So it might be helpful to go over what Owen means here. Merited basically means paid for or the value given in exhange for something. Owen uses it as a direct corollary to redemption. Merit is what Christ uses to pay for those whom He redeems. Refutation P1 is false. The value of Christ’s death is infinite. So Christ’s death can redeem all, but His death isn’t used “transitionally” to redeem all. Owen only sees the transacti...

Owen's Argument #13: Satisfaction P1: Christ death satisfied the debt for all those He died for P2: God cannot justly require satisfaction of one debt from two parties (i.e. us and Christ) C1: Therefore, God cannot require satisfaction of the sine debt for anyone Christ died for P3: God requires satisfaction of the sin debt of some people in Hell C2: therefore, Christ did not died for everyone http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.vii.html Scripture Cited by Owen he oweth the ten thousand talents, Matt. xviii. 24 “Forgive us our debts,” Matt. vi. 12 . “In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die,” Gen. ii. 17 “The wages of sin is death,” Rom. vi. 23 . “Cursed is every one,” etc., Gal. iii. 10 ; Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death Rom. i. 32 “God set him forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.” Rom. iii. 25 “his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” ...

Owen’s Argument 12: Reconciliation P1: Those who are reconciled are at peace with God and no longer under P2: Christ, by His death, reconciled all for whom He died P3: Some remain under wrath C1: Therefore, Christ didn ’t die for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.v.html Scriptures Cited by Owen “when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,” Rom. v. 10. “enemies he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death,” Col. i. 21, 22 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Refutation P2 is false. Paul specifically pleads for those for whom Christ died to be reconciled to God. A key text on reconciliation is 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2: 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Chri...

Owen’s Argument 11: Redemption P1: Christ’s death redeemed those He died for P2: Those who are redeemed by Christ are freed from sin P3: Not all are feed from sin C1: Therefore, Christ didn’t die for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.v.html Scriptures Cited by Owen “justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Rom. iii. 24; “in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,” Eph. i. 7 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: - Galatians 3:13 Refutation This is similar to the justice argument (#6). It also leads to a denial of justification by faith. Romans 1:7 relates redemption to forgiveness, so if Christ’s death at 33 redeemed us, we were forgiven at 33 AD and not when we come to faith. I disagree with P1. Christ can redeem all, but He does not. Christ wants to redeem all, and His offering is able to be the basi...

Owen’s Argument 10: Israel as a Symbol P1: Israel, God’s chosen people symbolizes the Church P2: Israel was delivered from the bondage of Egypt C1: Therefore, symbolically, the Church alone was delivered from bondage out of the world http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.iv.html Scriptures Cited by Owen 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Refutation The argument is true, yet it doesn‘t teach that Christ didn‘t die for the whole world. Christ died for all. He intercedes for believers and they are delivered from bondage.

Here's a link to Justin Taylor (a Calvinist) interviewing an Tom McCall (an Arminian). I thought it was great. Way to go Tom!!! http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/01/interview-with-thomas-mccall.html

Owen’s Argument 9: Christ Purchased Faith P1: Christ purchased faith for whom He died for P2: not all have faith C1: Therefore, Christ died not for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.iv.html Scriptures Cited by Owen “All men have not faith,” 2 Thess. iii. 2 Phil. i. 29, “It is given unto us, on the behalf of Christ, for Christ’s sake, to believe on him.” “author and finisher of our faith,” Heb. xii. 2 Refutation Faith is no doubt a gift (see argument 3). But I am not sure in what sense Christ purchased faith. Owen doesn’t make that clear. The scriptural language is more commonly that Christ purchased us. In that the Son draws all men to himself (John 12:32) He is giving all men faith. I suppose in some sense, if He has it to give, He purchased it. But it’s not purchased in the same sense we were purchased out of slavery from sin. But this sense would been needed for P1 to stand.

Owen’s Argument 8: Cleansing P1: Christ’s blood cleanses those for whom He died for P2: Christ’s blood does not cleanse all C1: Therefore, Christ died not for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.iv.html This argument is roughly the same as argument 7, and it misses the point of the difference between the shedding of Christ’s blood and the application of His blood to the sinner. In Exodus, the Israelites had to slay the lamb and apply the blood to the door for the death angle to pass by. This argument corresponds to the difference between the offering and intercession in argument 7 and as such does not need a separate refutation.

Owen’s Argument 7: Mediation P1: Christ mediates for those whom He died for P2: Christ does not mediate for all C1: Therefore, Christ died not for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.iii.html Scriptures Cited by Owen Hebrews 9. Refutation P1 is false. Christ is the Mediator of all for whom He died, in that it’s is office to Mediate and He can mediate for all, but not that He actually does mediate for all. Mediation the verb or action, is for believers alone. But Christ is Mediator (the noun and title) for all mankind as 2 Tim 2:5 states. Owen confuses offering with intercession. The offering is not intercession (or mediation), but rather, Christ mediates based on the offering. This can be seen in Hebrews 7: 24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26For such an high priest became us, wh...

Owen’s Argument 6: The “Justice Pickle” I owe the title “Justice Pickle” to Theojunkie. This argument is probably Owen’s most popular. P1: If Christ was punished in someone’s place, they don’t have to be punished P2: Some will be punished for their sins C1: Therefore, Christ wasn’t punished for their sins P3: Christ’s death was a penal substitution for those for whom He died C2: Therefore, Christ didn’t die for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.iii.html Scriptures Cited by Owen Rom. v. 6–8, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Gal. iii. 13, “He was made a curse for us.” 2 Cor. v. 21, “He hath made him to be sin for us.” Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the...

Owen’s Argument 5: The Bible doesn’t say Christ died for all men P1: The bible doesn’t say Christ died for all men P2: The bible is our only source of truth on who Christ died for C1: Therefore, Christ died not for all men http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.ii.html Scriptures Cited by Owen None. Refutation P1 is interesting. There are several passage that say Christ died for all, implying all men. In two case the implication is so strong that the KJV translates them all men & every man. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. But the word “men” is not in the Greek. Other passages with a similar implication are 1 Tim 2:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. So while the scriptures might not say P1 in the lingo of P1, that’s what it means. ...

Owen’s Argument 4: Christ died for His Sheep P1: Scriptures divides men into two categories: sheep and goats P2: Scriptures teach Christ died for the sheep P3: Statements saying Christ died for one of the groups loose there meaning if He died for the other group C1: Therefore, Christ died not for the goats http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.ii.html Scriptures Cited by Owen A bunch, which divided men into to categories those that will be saved and those that will be lost. He also quotes a few passages, such as John 10:11 & 15, which say Christ died for His sheep. Refutation P3 is false. My saying I enjoy action moves does not imply that I don’t enjoy comedies. Paul’s statement that Christ died for him (Galatians 2:20) doesn’t loose it’s meaning if Christ died for other people as well. Reason 3 of the top ten reasons why Christ died for all demonstrates that Christ died for those that ultimately perish: http://danchapa.blogspot.com/2007/11/3-part-christ-died-fo...

Owen’s Argument 3: Faith is a Gift P1: Salvation is conditional on faith P2: Christ, through His death provides the condition of faith P3: Man cannot believe on his own P4: Not all believe C1: Therefore, Christ died not for all http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.ii.html Scriptures Cited by Owen None. Refutation The premises are true but the conclusion doesn’t follow. Man can’t believe on his own, but with God’s help he is enabled to believe. That doesn’t mean man has to believe. Gifts, like God’s gift of faith, can either be accepted or rejected.

Not this guy . . . . . . . . . This guy . . . . . Why do so many evangelicals who hold that Christ died for all, God doesn't unconditionally predetermine peoples eternal destinies and that God's grace is resistible not call themselves Arminians ? I have come across many people who's reaction to Calvinism is to shudder and ask if that's true what's the point of it all, yet they don't want to be called Arminians . Baptists Church's contain one of the largest group of Arminians around today, but hardly any of them claim the name.

Owen’s Argument 2: The Unevangelized P1: If Christ death is for everyone, and saves those that believe, all should receive the invitation to believe P2: Scripture teaches many die without having heard the Gospel C1: Therefore, Christ’s death isn’t for everyone http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.i.html Scriptures Owen uses to Defend His Argument “for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Rom. x. 17 “In Judah was God known, and his name was great in Israel; in Salem was his tabernacle, and his dwelling-place in Zion,” Ps. lxxvi. 1, 2. “He showed his word unto Jacob, and his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them,” Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20. Jer. x. 25, “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name;” Eph. ii. 12, “Without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, ha...

Owen’s Argument 1: P1: The new covenant saves only believers P2: God only intended the elect to believe C1: Therefore, God intended the new covenant for the elect Owen’s fortifies P2 by this argument: P3: God effectually gives the elect faith P4: No one else can have faith without God’s effectually giving it C2: therefore, God only intended the elect to believe. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.i.html Scriptures Owen uses to Defend His Argument Jer. xxxi. 31, 32, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, though I was an husband to them, saith the Lord;” Heb. viii. 9–11, “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, an...

I started working on the Atonement by going over John Owen's theory on the atonement, looking at what I thought was the weak link, namely the difference between Christ's death and His intercession . For more, see the tag the death of death in the death of Christ. Recently, I went through the top 10 reasons why Christ died for everyone. There's a tag on that as well. What I plan on doing next is in at least two parts. I want to review Owen's arguments against unlimited atonement and I also want to go over theories for explaining unlimited atonement. Whelp, that's the plan, Lord willing.

I was recently reading John Goodwin's thoughts on Mathew 27:3-5. 3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Judas was seized with remorse, when he saw Christ was condemned. Goodwin points out that Judas probably thought Christ would free Himself after Judas betrayed Him. Judas wouldn't have been surprised by Christ's condemnation, if he though that was going to be the case. Maybe he thought Christ was i nnocent , and would be proven so, or maybe he thought Christ would use His power to free Himself. In any case, this is a powerful reminder not to sin, thinking there will be a way out down the ...