I like what Stephen Mansfield said about the need to declare to the unelect their judgment, "the indictment against the lost," and to speak it to culture & society in general, as a "leavening effect."
Peter Leithart also adds a thought to the reason to declare the Gospel to all:
Verse 2 describes the work of Jesus as "propitiation" (Gr. hilasmos). As an abstract idea, to "propitiate" is to "pacify anger." Jesus turns away the wrath of God by His obedience. But the word probably has more concrete connotations. In the Septuagint, the related word hilasterion refers to the cover of the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:17-22; Hebrews 9:5), a word that is also used to describe Jesus and His work (Romans 3:25). In the symbolism of the ark, is related to the firmament canopy that serves as a "veil" between heaven and earth. To say Jesus is the hilasterion means that He is the screen, the firmament, through which the Father views the world.
This explains the universalism of John's statement in verse 2. Calvinists, who believe in a definite atonement, have trouble with this verse and others like it (1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:11; 1 John 4:14). The solution is that the cross has multiple intentions: Jesus died to secure salvation for His sheep (John 10), His Bride (Ephesians 5), but He also died and rose again to be the "firmament-covering" for the whole world."
...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
3 comments:
Great video, seems I am answering this question every week. Why preach? Could it be we are commanded too! LOL
It is the method in which God has chosen to use, in which the elect of God will hear and repent.(Rom 10:14)
Since we do not know who his elect are, we are hince commanded to preach to all. (Mark 16:15)
Great post Sam!
Bill
Thanks Bill.
I like what Stephen Mansfield said about the need to declare to the unelect their judgment, "the indictment against the lost," and to speak it to culture & society in general, as a "leavening effect."
Peter Leithart also adds a thought to the reason to declare the Gospel to all:
Verse 2 describes the work of Jesus as "propitiation" (Gr. hilasmos). As an abstract idea, to "propitiate" is to "pacify anger." Jesus turns away the wrath of God by His obedience. But the word probably has more concrete connotations. In the Septuagint, the related word hilasterion refers to the cover of the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:17-22; Hebrews 9:5), a word that is also used to describe Jesus and His work (Romans 3:25). In the symbolism of the ark, is related to the firmament canopy that serves as a "veil" between heaven and earth. To say Jesus is the hilasterion means that He is the screen, the firmament, through which the Father views the world.
This explains the universalism of John's statement in verse 2. Calvinists, who believe in a definite atonement, have trouble with this verse and others like it (1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:11; 1 John 4:14). The solution is that the cross has multiple intentions: Jesus died to secure salvation for His sheep (John 10), His Bride (Ephesians 5), but He also died and rose again to be the "firmament-covering" for the whole world."
...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
:-)
Great thoughts by Leithart!!! I was listening to a lecture by R.C. the other day, in which he addressed those very thoughts.. :)
Post a Comment