Is Universal Atonement True? (6)

(15) Let us consider an argument from Romans 8 against a death of Christ for all men head for head. Romans 8:28-30 speaks of a people whom God foreknew, predestinated, called according to his purpose, justified, glorified and conformed to the image of His Son. The apostle draws the following conclusion: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (31). "Then" or "therefore" indicates that this is a logical inference based on his preceding statements, here called "these things." The "us" can only be those predestinated (or elected) and called according to God's eternal purpose (28-30). Thus Paul's argument is this: if God is "for us" (31) in predestination, calling, justification and glorification (29-30), then "who can be against us?" (31). Or to expand on this: if God in His eternal decree has chosen us to everlasting bliss, called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, acquitted us of all our sins and reckoned us righteous with the very righteousness of Christ Himself, and glorified us in conforming us to the image of His Son, then "who can be against us?" (31).

The apostle reinforces this already compelling argument with another: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (32). Who are the "us"referred to twice here for whom God sent His Son to die? Again, they are those predestinated and called according to God's eternal purpose (28-30). The only conclusion is that Christ died for the elect.

If it is objected that Christ also died for the non-elect, then we reply that the passage gives absolutely no hint of this. In fact, this would make the passage teach that God sent His Son to die for those who are not predestinated and not called, justified, glorified or conformed to Christ. Moreover, if it is argued that Christ died for the reprobate, this would make the passage teach that the reprobate will receive all the blessings of His cross. For verse 32 teaches that God freely gives all things to those for whom Christ died. The "all things" include freedom from the law of sin and death (2), life and peace (6), adoption as God's sons (14), the witness of the Spirit (16), an eternal inheritance (17), the redemption of the body (23), the ability to pray in the Spirit (26), etc. Furthermore, the "all things" would also include the blessings of justification, calling, glorification and conformity to Christ (29-30) according to God's eternal predestination! Thus the view that Jesus died for the reprobate read into Romans 8:32 would mean that God freely gives the blessings of justification, calling and glorification to the reprobate, those whom He never calls, justifies or glorifies. This verse teaches an absolutely inseparable connection between those for whom Christ died and spiritual blessings. Some do not receive these blessings. Therefore Jesus did not die for them.

The passage proceeds to say that no charge (33) and no condemnation (34) can be laid against those who are justified (33), those for whom Christ died (34). But many charges are righteously made by the God of heaven against the reprobate wicked so that they are condemned! This is the case because they are not justified (33) for Christ did not die for them and does not intercede for them (34).