Kimedoncius wrote one of the first Reformed defenses of "limited atonement," and yet said the following in his dedication to Fredrick the Fourth at Heidelberg on the 12th of March, 1592:
At this day we are slandered of malicious men with a new crime that is feigned against us, as though we should deny that Christ died for all men, an impudent reproach. For according to the Scriptures we also confess the same, but we deny, that thereupon it followeth that all mankind without exception of any one, are by the death of Christ indeed justified, saved, and restored into the bosom of grace, having received the pardon of their sins, whether they believe or no.Jacobus Kimedoncius, Of the Redemption of Mankind. Three Books: Wherein the Controversie of the Universalitie of the Redemption and Grace by Christ, and of his Death for All Men, is largely handled. Hereunto is annexed a Treatise of Gods Predestination in one Booke, trans. Hugh Ince (London: Imprinted by Felix Kingston for Humfrey Lownes, 1598), A6v–r; or pp. x–xi. [no pagination; pages numbered manually from the title page]
"We also confess the same" means he does confess that Christ died for all men. It's just the case that he wants to deny that all are saved or shall be saved as a result. How ironic that Kimedoncius, a Heidelberg Reformer writing on redemption and Christ's death for all men, is concerned to not be "slandered" by a view that has come to be thought of as orthodox among the Reformed today. One can see that for Kimedoncius, redemption is limited or particular in the sense of its application, but not in its accomplishment (i.e., in the imputation of sin to Christ).
For more by Kimedoncius, go here.
No comments:
Post a Comment