The Puritan theologian, John Owen, considering the design of the atonement stated the following in his classic work, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ:
“God imposed his wrath due unto, and Christ underwent the pains of hell for, either:
- All the sins of all men, or
- All the sins of some men, or
- Some sins of all men
If the last, some sins of all men, then have all men some sins to answer for, and so shall no man be saved; for if God enter into judgment with us, though it were with all mankind for one sin, no flesh should be justified in his sight: “If the Lord should mark iniquities, who should stand?” Ps. 130:3.
If the second, that is it which we affirm, that Christ in their stead and room suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the world.
If the first, why, then, are not all freed from the punishment of all their sins? You will say, “Because of their unbelief; they will not believe.” But this unbelief, is it a sin, or not? If not, why should they be punished for it? If it be, then Christ underwent the punishment due to it, or not. If so, then why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which he died from partaking of the fruit of his death? If he did not [die for that sin of unbelief], then he did not die for all their sins.”
The Works of John Owen: The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Book 1, Chapter 3), Originally published in 1650.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I love John Owen. What a powerful post!