AndOne:
I don't want to derail the thread either. But it's kind of hard for a person to trace down old posts as you intend to do on mine. So here is a cut and paste from a post or two I did in the "Ask A Calvinist" forum. You can just read them here and we'll let it go. I intend to go away here for a while.
Others can read this on Calvin's views on limited atonement and see how they compare to what is usually taught as being representative of what Calvin believed. I think you'll agree that they do not mesh very well. It will also show why I can identify with John Calvin's theology to a great degree and still reject so called limited atonement.
A FEW QUOTES BY JOHN CALVIN:
1 John 2:2--"
he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world"-----------------------
"CHRIST SUFFERED FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD. and in the goodness of God is OFFERED UNTO ALL MEN WITHOUT DISTINCTION, HIS BLOOD BEING SHED NOT FOR A PART OF THE WORLD ONLY, BUT FOR THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE; for although in the world nothing is found worthy of the favor of God, yet he HOLDS OUT THE PROPITIATION TO THE WHOLE WORLD, since without exception he SUMMONS ALL TO THE FAITH OF CHRIST, which is nothing else than the door unto hope."
Mark 14:24:
"This is my blood of the new testament, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY"..................... "The word 'many' DOES NOT MEAN A PART OF THE WORLD ONLY, BUT THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE: he contrasts many with one as if to say that he would not be the Redeemer of one man, but would meet death to deliver many of their cursed guilt. No doubt that in speaking to a few Christ wished to make His teaching available to a larger number...So when we come to the holy table not only should the general idea come to our mind that THE WORLD IS REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST but also each should reckon to himself that his own sins are covered.
Romans 5:18: "
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
"
Paul makes grace COMMON TO ALL MEN, not because it in fact EXTENDS TO ALL, but because IT IS OFFERED TO ALL. Although CHRIST SUFFERED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. AND IS OFFERED BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WITHOUT DISTINCTION TO ALL MEN, yet not all receive him"
Calvin's "LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, April 25, 1564":
"I testify also and declare, that I suppliantly beg of Him, that He may be pleased so to was and purify me in the blood which my Sovereign Redeemer HAS SHED FOR THE SINS OF THE HUMAN RACE, that under His shadow I may be able to stand at the judgment-seat....
****Mark 14:24 passage:
COMMENTARY ON A HARMONY OF THE EVANGELISTS, MATTHEW, MARK, AND LUKE, BY JOHN CALVIN
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN, AND COLLATED WITH THE AUTHOR'S FRENCH VERSION, VOLUME THIRD BY THE REV. WILLIAM PRINGLE
CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY -- GRAND RAPIDS, MI
****Romans 5:18 passage:
COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS
BY JOHN CALVIN
TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY THE REV. JOHN OWEN, VICAR OF THRUSSINGTON, LEICESTERSHIRE
CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY GRAND RAPIDS, MI
****Concerning Calvins will:
History of the Christian Church, Volume VIII: Modern Christianity. The Swiss Reformation
§ 165. Calvins Last Will, and Farewells.
****Regarding the
1 John 2:2 passage the best I can do is give you the reference that I have. I do not have a reference from the works of Calvin himself. Perhaps you can better research it out better than I was able to.
****Dr. Augustus H. Strong, in his standard Systematic Theology Vol. II, Doctrine of Salvation, page 778, quotes from CALVIN'S LATER COMMENTS
Here are a few more things to consider (from the same Calvin source as before (different volumes).
Concerning
John 1.29 And when he says, the sin Of The World, he extends this favor
indiscriminately to the whole human race
and that as
all men without exception are guilty of unrighteousness before God
Now our duty is, to
embrace the benefit which is offered to all, that each of us may be convinced that
there is nothing to hinder him from obtaining reconciliation in Christ, provided that he comes to him by the guidance of faith.
Concerning
John 3:14-16
that faith in Christ brings life to all, and that Christ brought life, because the Heavenly Father
loves the human race, and wishes that they should not perish
And he has employed the
universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the import of the term World, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the world that is worthy of the favor of God, yet
he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world, when he invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life
Concerning
John 16:8-11
Under the term world are, I think, included not only those who would be truly converted to Christ, but
hypocrites and reprobates.
Concerning Gal. 5:12 His indignation proceeds still farther, and he prays for destruction on those impostors by whom the Galatians had been deceived. The word, "cut off," appears to be employed in allusion to the circumcision which they pressed. "They tear the church for the sake of circumcision: I wish they were entirely cut off." Chrysostom favors this opinion. But how can such an imprecation be reconciled with the mildness of an apostle,
who ought to wish that all should be saved, and that not a single person should perish? So far as men are concerned, I admit the force of this argument; for
it is the will of God that we should seek the salvation of all men without exception, as Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world.
Concerning Col. 1:14 He says that this redemption was procured through the blood of Christ, for
by the sacrifice of his death all the sins of the world have been expiated.
Frankly Calvin was a bit ambiguous on this particular doctrine in his writings over the years. He seems to have changed his mind in later years.
