A belief held by most reformed theologians but particularly by Calvinists that Jesus did not die or atone for all humankind. It is also called Particular Redemption or Definite Redemption.
The teaching arises out of the Calvinist's emphasis on election; if those destined to be saved are the elect of God, then Jesus could only have died for them. This is further strengthed by the support they find in a number of passages where Christ dying for a particular group of people is emphasized; these include:
Jn 10:15 — I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Acts 20:28 — Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Rom 8:32-33 — He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Additionally, it is argued that, if God is sovereign as Scriptures everywhere asserts, then his plan cannot be frustrated. If Christ died for everyone and not everyone is saved, then God's plan is frustrated. Since not everyone is saved, then the assertion that Christ died for 'all' can only be construed as meaning 'all those predestined to be saved,' not 'all peoples of all classes.'
Many scholars find difficulty with the concept because, among other things, it makes nonsense of the "free offer" of the gospel, for while the Calvinist evangelist has to say to everyone, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life," he cannot quite say, "Christ died for you" since he cannot know if that particular person he is speaking to is one of the elect.
©ALBERITH
230419lch