hooberus, Sorry it took a few days for me to respond, but i cant always get the time to check back in. I read an earlier thread where you quoted Heb. 2:9 and 1Tim.2:5-6 to support that Christ did in fact die for all men everywhere. Here is my response.
Lets deal with the word "WILL" first. In 1 Tim.2:3,4 (The one you quoted) Paul refers to "God our Saviour, who would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth" Ezekial 33:11 we read "As i live, saith the LORD Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live";and 2Pet.3:9 we read that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." These verses simply teach that God is benevolent, and that He does not delight in the sufferings of His creatures any more than a human father delights in the punishment wich he must sometimes inflict upon his son. God does not decretively will the salvation of all men, no matter how much he may desire it; and if any verses taught that he decretively willed or intended the salvation of all men, they would contradict those other parts of the Scripture which teach that God sovereignly rules and that it is his purpose to leave some to be punished.
The word "Will" is used in different senses in Scripture and in our every day conversation. It is sometimes used in the sense of "decree" or "purpose", and soemtimes in the sense of "desire" or "wish". A righteous judge does not will (desire) that anyone should be hanged or sentenced to prison, yet at the same time he wills (pronounces sentence, or decrees) that the guilty person shall be thus punished. In the same sense and for sufficient reasons a man may will or decide to have a limb removed, or an eye taken out, even thought he certainly does not desire it. The Greek words THELO and BOULOMAI, which are sometimes translated "Will" are also used in the sense of "desire" or "Wish" eg.. Jesus said to the mother of James and John,
"What WOULDest thou?" Matt. 20:21 of the scribes it was said they "DESIRE to walk in long robes," Luke 20:46; certain of the Scribes and Phariesees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we WOULD see a sign from thee," Matt.12:38 Paul said, "I HAD RATHER speak five words with my understanding, that i might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue" 1Cor. 14:19
In like manner the word "ALL" is unmistakeably used in different senses in Scripture. In some cases it certainly was said, "And there went out unto him ALL the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins," In Acts 4:21 Peter and John had healed the lame man and that "ALL men glorified God for that which was done," Jesus told his disciples that they would be "hated of ALL MEN" for his names sake. Luke 21:17 Paul was accused of teaching ALL MEN EVERYWHERE againts the people. When Jesus said, "And if I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL MEN unto myself". John 12:32 Did he mean ALL MEN EVERYWHERE WOULD COME? Surely if he drew them all they would. But this is simply not the case. History has shown that. What he meant was, that a large multitude from all nations and classes woud be saved; and this is what we see coming to pass.
What about Heb 2:9 we read that Jesus tasted death "for EVERY MAN" The original greek, however, does not use the word "MAN" here at all, but simply says, "FOR EVERY". So in principle, if the meaning is not to be limited to those who are actually saved, why limit it to men? Why not include the fallen angels, even the Devil himself?
One more scripture that is often thrown up againts Calvinism is 1Cor. 15:22. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive" This passage however is not talking about life in this age, whether physical or spiritual, but about the ressurrection life. This is plainly seen by reading further in verse 23 and 24. "But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then THEY THAT ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS COMING" Christ is the first to enter into the resurrection life, then, WHEN HE COMES, his people also enter into their resurrection life. Basically, what paul is saying, is that at that time a glorious resurrection life will become a reality FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST.
I believe a careful examination of scripture can easily explain the common misconceptions of freewill. But do not misunderstand me. I do not believe that because God has an elect people, that somehow voids me of responsibility. As the Chef stated earlier, there are two sides to this issue. Gods side in wich he Sovereignly chooses an elect bride before the foundation of the world and knows each and every one of them (Like when he told Jeremiah, "I knew you before you were in the womb") and mans side, wich blinded by a fleshly veil, cannot see beyond it, but knows that he must come to christ to recieve the living water. And when its all said and done, only the elect will respond to this invitation. And not one drop of Gods precious blood will be wasted.
