Universalism - Part 2

I'm attending Monday evening mass and I hear the priest say during the mass, "on the cross, Christ makes by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world..." After thinking about universalism in yesterday's post, I pondered how is it that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and yet not everyone is or will be saved?

The Book of Common Prayer has in mind 1 John 2:2: "Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but for those also of all the world" (cosmos, in Greek).

This verse and a few others like it cause some Reformed Christians to say they are "four point Calvinists," disavowing the Synod of Dordt's confession of "limited atonement," the "L" in TULIP. Limited atonement is not as simple as it sounds, kind of like "economic stimulus." It carries a lot of baggage and implications, confusing many and not doing justice to the theology it represents.

At one level, within the New Testament context, the "world" is contrasted with "the Jews," as I wrote about yesterday. Jesus suffers and dies for the world, not just one nation or people (as in the old covenant).

Speaking cosmologically, Jesus dies for the sins of the entire world so that he may lay claim to the creation at his second advent. He means to redeem all creation from Satan's death-grip, not just a group of like-minded, moral purists.

The cross of Jesus has a saving effect for believers (1 Timothy 4:10), but his sacrifice does benefit the entire world, even for those who reject Christ. The fact that Jesus atones specifically for the sins of the elect buys time for the rest of the world, holding off the judgment and destruction that will inevitably come. Theologians call this "common grace," the gift of God to all humanity who enjoy life under the temporary reprieve provided by the proclamation of the Gospel to the whole world in obedience to Christ. God does love the world enough to send His only Son that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life, and those who don't believe still live under the providence of his sunshine, rain, and the predictability of the universe.

God did not provide a propitiation for the angels. When they sinned, they were cast out of heaven immediately. (Which answers the question, Can Satan repent and be saved? The answer is no -- there is no provision in the cross for angels, only human beings.) But sinners enjoy life, beauty, family love, the taste of fine wine, prosperity and so much more in spite of their faithlessness. Jesus delays his return because God truly loves the world (John 3:16), and especially those who by grace are being saved.

When Jesus invited all those who labor and are burdened down to come to him for rest (Mt. 11:28), only some respond. But His refreshment is good news for everyone, but especially sweet to those who by the Holy Spirit come to realize their plight outside of Christ and are enabled by the gift of faith to respond to the call of Jesus to find their rest in Him.