Specific Atonement 2: The Return of Specific Atonement!

As promised, I want to return to the topic of specific atonement. I specifically (punny) want to focus on the covenantal aspect of specific atonement. Paul says "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." This is only one of the many passages that draw parallels between Christ and Adam. Christ is the second Adam and thus is a covenant representative. We know that Adam was the covenantal representative of every man, woman, and child to ever live. When he failed in his task and sinned, death came to every one. Did they have a choice about it? No. It came, without variance, to everyone he represented. Let's take this and apply it to Christ and his covenant. If Christ covenantally represented every man in his sacrifice on the cross, every man would be saved. That's simply how covenants work. It's a syllogism. Basic logic. Covenants aren't somehow optional. They can't simply be ignored. Just try ignoring the effects of Adam's Fall.

Now, I realize that some may raise the objection, "Yes, but we need faith to participate in that covenant and become those whom he has represented." That may sound logical, but covenants don't work that way. No covenant that God ever made with His people was that ambiguous. Covenants have objects. They have a special people. When Christ died on the cross, he had his elect in his mind. He wasn't contemplating a vague concept of humanity. He had you and me on his mind. In short, covenants do not operate in ambiguity, but in specifics.

The New England Primer says, "In Adam's fall, we sinned all." Logically it should be, "In Christ's death, we all receive breath." This is clearly not the case. A covenantal perspective of what is actually happening in the story of redemption and of the inner workings of salvation is incompatible with what universalists believe. Covenants are not so soft as to be rejected or somehow be cast aside. That's simply not how they work.

God Bless,

Stanley

P.S. I have been really into this song called "Shekinah" by Saving Grace. They are a metal band from New Zealand. These dudes are on fire for God! I posted the lyrics here in this post, but I'm also posting a link to the song.

...as in the days of old the Glory fills the temple of the Lord
We are your temple
We are your temple

This burning deep inside of my heart
These lips adorned with praise
My hands raised in worship lost
In the wonder of your ways

Come now and take your place Lord
Bring forth new winds of change
Set our lives ablaze with fire
Bring down your Heavenly rain


We are your temple...

Bring away the darkness of sin
Fill these hands with seeds of truth
Show the path and I will follow
Let your Spirit lead me through

This hunger taking over my life
This thirst for Heavenly ways
These eyes are filled with visions
This heart your dwelling place

Come reign here Holy Spirit
Bring forth a storm of change
Set our tongues ablaze with fire
Bring down your Heavenly Glory, Glory

You made these hands
Now take these hands
Lord fill these hands
Lord fill these hands with seeds of truth

Bring your fire down!
Glory
Fire
Power
Shekinah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA2giDLtZ_Y