John Owen on the Atonement

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ
By John Owen

“Book III contains sixteen arguments against the “general ransom” idea. All except the third have a directly exegetical basis and aim to show that this idea is inconsistent with the biblical witness to Christ’s work. Between them, they deal with every significant category and concept which the Bible employs to define that work. These arguments are primarily aimed at “4-Pt” Calvinists and/or Arminians.

Arguments:
From the fact that the new covenant, which Christ’s death ratified, is not made with all men.

From the fact that the gospel, which reveals faith in Christ to be the only way of salvation, is not published to all men. (III. i)

From the dilemmas involved in asserting that the divine intention in Christ’s death was to redeem every man.

From the fact that Christ is said to die for one of the two classes (elect and reprobate) into which God divided men, and not for the other.

From the fact that Scripture nowhere asserts that Christ died for all men, as such (III. ii)

From the fact that Christ died as sponsor (surety) for those for whom He died.

From the fact that Christ is a Mediator, and as such a priest, for those for whom He died. (III. iii)

From the fact that Christ’s death cleanses and sanctifies those for whom He died, whereas not all men are cleansed and sanctified.

From the fact that Faith (which is necessary to salvation) was procured by the death of Christ, whereas not all men have faith.

From the fact that the deliverance of Israel fromEgypt is a type of Christ’s saving work. (III. iv)

(The next five arguments form a group on their own. They have a common form and are all taken from the biblical terms in which Christ’s work is described.)

(i) From the fact that Christ’s death wrought redemption (deliverance by payment). (III. v)

(ii) From the fact that Christ’s death effected reconciliation (between God and men. (III. vi)

(iii) From the fact that Christ’s death made satisfaction for sins. (III. vii-ix)

(iv) From the fact that Christ’s death merited salvation for men.

(v) From the fact that Christ died for men. (III. x)

From particular texts: Gen. 3:15; Matt. 7:33, 11:25; John 10:11ff;Rom. 1:32-34; Eph. 1:7; 2 Cor. 5:21; John 17:9; Eph. 5:25. (III. xi).”