Friday, October 27, 2006

Christ's Death had a Definite Result

But the issue is not merely one of logic dependent on election. Those who defend definite atonement cite texts. Jesus will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21)—not everyone. Christ gave himself “for us,” i.e., for us the people of the new covenant (Tit. 2:14), “to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Moreover, in his death Christ did not merely make adequate provision for the elect, but he actually achieved the desired result (Rom. 5:6-10; Eph. 2:15-16). The Son of Man came to give his life a ransom “for many” (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; cr. Isa. 53:10-12). Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25).
[Carson, D. A., The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God (Crossway Books, 2000), pg. 74, 75]

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