Saturday, January 29, 2022

David Schrock (Reformed) on the Unevangelized

  

Second, not all men hear the message. If the egalitarian view of the cross is correct, it raises the problem of the man on the island. Did Jesus really die and make complete provision for the sons of all men, and then neglect to send His Spirit to give them the news? In Ancient Israel, the priests not only atoned for sin, they were sent out to teach Israel how to walk in holiness (Leviticus 10:11). What kind of priest procures atonement and fails to communicate the message? It is better to trust the character of God, and believe His word that says from before the foundation of the world He predestined His elect in Christ to reach final salvation (Ephesians 1:3-6), and then to observe that as the sovereign Lord of history. He marked out the time and places of all people (Acts 17:26), and brought the message to all His sheep (John 10:16). (David Schrock, “Jesus Saves, No Asterisk Needed: Why Preaching the Gospel As Good News Requires Definite Atonement,” in Whomever He Wills: A Surprising Display of Sovereign Mercy, ed. Matthew Barrett and Thomas J. Nettles [Cape Carol, Fla.: Founders Press, 2012], 115)

 

Many egalitarians, especially modified Calvinists who adhere to unconditional election, believe that they have protected God from the charge of unfairness by advocating a universal atonement. But the real problem remains, just in a different place. The doctrine of unconditional election is the real source of contention for people who want to charge God with unfairness. Ironically, by rejecting particular redemption, but maintaining a Reformed view of election, God’s ‘election process’ looks even more arbitrary. The Son dies for the salvation of all, but the Father and the Spirit respectively elect and regenerate some. How is that fair? How is that just? Clearly, if the doctrine of election stands biblically, there is no real apologetic benefit to making the cross of Christ universally atoning. Modified Calvinists are too optimistic that their view of Christ’s general atonement will help remove the offense of God’s particular election. (Ibid., 116)