Skala
I'm a Saint. Not because of me, but because of Him
I didn't say the verse had nothing to do with the atonement. I said the atonement wasn't mentioned in the verse. No where do the words atonement, cross, dying, death, sacrifice, etc appear in the verse. It only says that God gave his son (in what way, the verse itself doesn't say) with the intention of saving those that believe. With the information given, that is all a reader can conclude.
That being said, to answer your question, let me give you my perspective.
My answer is "yes", it is unreasonable to say that Christ died for all, but it's only applicable if you believe.
Why?
Because the Bible elsewhere teaches that our spiritual gifts (such as regeneration) are predicated on Christ's death and resurrection. It doesn't say that they are predicated on our belief.
Thus, for example, if Christ died for all people, and regeneration is predicated on his death, then that means all people will be regenerated.
Obviously, I believe faith is part of the spiritual realities that Christ secured for us by his death and resurrection. Thus I cannot say that Christ died and raised for all people, or else all people would be believers.
There are many verses I could bring up that demonstrate this, but here's the first one that comes to mind. Please read this passage carefully:
Rom 8:30-33
(30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(31) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
(33) Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
Paul's argument in verse 32 is that if God did not spare His own Son for us, then he would not also withhold all things from us. In other words it would make no sense for God to be willing to give us the thing with the Greatest value (Christ) but then not be willing to give us things with lower values. If He's willing to give Christ to us, he is also willing to give us everything else too.
If you are familiar with Paul's writings you know that Paul believes that faith is a gift from God and a spiritual fruit. If God gave Christ to die for a person, he also gives faith to that person. Therefore he couldn't have given Christ to die for all people, or then God would followup and give all people all things as well, including faith.
Hope that argument makes sense brother! It's hard to explain!
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