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 .