Saturday, January 26, 2008

Particular Redemption and 2 Peter 2:1

There is a great article posted on Reformation Theology titled "Does 2 Peter 2:1 Deny Particular Redemption?." 2 Peter 2:1 was, personally, one of the most difficult passages in my journey to a fully rounded and robust biblical doctrine of particular redemption. This article points out some of the interpretive questions that need to be asked when deciding on the meaning of this passage.
1) Derive soteriological truths from soteriological passages (this isn't);
2) "Lord" is δεσπότης (despotes--sovereign title) not κύριος (kurios--soteriological title);
3) Is this the Father or the Son? Can it be proven?
4) "bought" (ἀγοράζω) has no purchase price mentioned, which would be the only time that happens in the NT *if* this is a soteriological reference;
5) The passage says the Master did not *potentially* purchase these men, but that He did, in fact, purchase these men (sovereignty, not redemption). Compare Deuteronomy 32:5-6 for parallel use in the OT.
6) Derive the extent of the atonement from Hebrews that discusses it, not from 2 Peter's reference to false teachers.

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