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The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: A Treatise in Which the Whole Controversy about Universal Redemption is Fully Discussed

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The day that this book is refuted is the day that the TULIP shrivels up and dies--the day that God's free grace in salvation is shown to be a farce.

But Owen's thesis, that Christ did, in fact, save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21), is nothing less than pure, undiluted Gospel-truth, and shall remain so as long as God Himself is Truth.

There is no work written by any Calvinist throughout the ages that can begin to compare with Owen's treatment of the death of Christ, and His procurement of eternal redemption thereby. And there is no work written by any Arminian throughout the ages that can begin to answer Owen's book. To do this, it would be necessary to show that the Scriptures present Christ's death as obtaining a mere possibility of redemption, instead of having actually obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12), an absolute impossibility.

Owen's argumentation and exegesis are simply outstanding. Before reading this book, I had actually never read an exegesis of John 3:16. He spends ten pages of a detailed, Puritan examination of that passage alone. He also examines virtually every text cited by the Arminians in this controversy, coming to the same inescapable conclusion every time: "No Universalism Here."

J.I. Packer's "Introductory Essay" is not to be missed, either: It's already considered by many to be a classic, a "masterpiece in miniature."

But the "Essay" is undoubtedly the easiest reading in this volume. Owen was a 17th century Puritan, and can be difficult reading. It's definitely not a book to give your non-theologically-minded Arminian friends to convince them of Particular Redemption. But for an in-depth study of the doctrine, this book cannot be missed.

John Owen's work, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, is the classic text defending the purposeful and actual procurement of salvation for sinners in the death of Christ. While characteristically portrayed as a polemical work on the Calvinistic understanding of limited atonement this work is actually much more. In brief, it is a defense for the perfect work of Christ, which actually obtained salvation on the cross. It argues that the purpose of the triune God is to glorify himself and to save sinners.

Owen's thesis asserts that in the death of Christ salvation of sinners was actually accomplished. Christ came to the earth to seek and to save those who were lost. Through his oblation, being the entire humiliation of his life and death, he has secured perfectly the redemption of those for whom he died. Therefore the salvation of sinners was completely secured through the death of Christ. This stands in direct contrast to the Arminian and Amyraldian understanding of a universal redemption, which makes salvation only possible or hypothetical.

Owen divides his work into four books. The first book sets forth his thesis that the work of Christ on the cross was made for the full and complete salvation of those whom God intended to save. The work of salvation is a work of the triune God. God the Father stands as the author of salvation and the sender of Christ. He is the one who from before creation elects and chooses some to be saved. Christ is the sent one that became incarnate and offered himself up for death, was resurrected and intercedes in heaven for those whom he died. The Spirit was the helper to Christ in his earthly ministry and is the applier of salvation.

In the second book Owen argues that the supreme purpose of Christ's death was to bring glory to the Godhead. The subordinate purpose of his death was to bring salvation to sinners chosen by God. Scripture shows that in Christ's death God intended to save sinners and that the effect of his death actually secured their salvation and that those for whom Christ died are therefore chosen elect. Consequently, the impetration or securing work of salvation cannot be separated from the application of salvation. Christ's death (impetration) was intended for the elect only although being of infinite worth. His death brought about their salvation and the Spirit then applies that salvation to their account. Therefore Christ's death through the Spirit's application is a perfect and complete act of salvation.

In the third book Owen sets forth sixteen arguments against the doctrine of a general ransom. His arguments are primarily set against Arminians and Amyraldians who hold to a general or universal atonement, which claims that God makes salvation possible or hypothetical for the whole world. He debunks the view that the cross work of Christ only made salvation possible and sets forth positively the view that on the cross Christ made salvation effectual and actual. Owen also helpfully shows the logic of such a view of the atonement stemming from the biblical doctrine of election. If God chooses sinners from before the creation of the world then it is only those chosen sinners to whom Christ has died for and to whom the Spirit applies salvation.

In the last book Owen examines the various exegetical arguments set forth for a universal atonement. Owen exegetes at length several texts which speak of a general intent of the death of Christ, those which suggest that Christ's death was ineffective and lastly those which seem to declare a general offer of salvation. He also provides careful exegesis of Biblical texts, which use the words "world" and "all" along with texts, which seem to speak of those perishing for whom Christ died. Owen ends the work by taking Thomas More's work to task and then refutes various theological arguments proffered by universal redemptionists.

The most important point of this work is what is often missed in the present debate over unlimited vs. limited atonement. Owen's thesis is that Christ's death on the cross actually saved. The current debate focuses much on whether his death was for the elect or for the world, but I believe that the question is answered when it is framed in the matter of determining whether Christ's death actually saved or only made salvation possible. As Scripture shows, and Owen proves, the primary (sole?) emphasis is on the actual accomplishment of salvation. Those for whom Christ died are saved; they are regenerated, justified, sanctified, etc. Christ's work is perfect and that which he sought to accomplish has been fulfilled.

Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ is in many ways the authoritative work on the effectual death of Christ. Through careful theological arguments and sound exegesis Owen establishes his thesis that the death of Christ actually saved sinners as opposed to the Arminian and Amyraldian schemes which only allow for a potential or hypothetical salvation. This work of Christ was primarily for the glory of God and secondarily for the salvation of sinners. Owen's work helps regain a better understanding of the Biblical Gospel, which truly exalts God and saves sinners. While nonetheless a polemical work, The Death of Death is written for the safekeeping of the gospel that God may truly be glorified and that the sinners may be confronted with the truth of the gospel and be saved. The preservation of the true gospel in Owen's work is therefore to be most appreciated.

This is Puritan John Owen's classic work on the doctrine of the atonement, which seeks to answer the question: for whom did Christ die? Owen was, and is still considered to be one of - if not THE - best English theologian who ever lived. This book demonstrates why he deserves such a distinction. It is one of the finest outworkings of the theological shift brought about by the Protestant Reformation, which is summarized by the latin phrase, soli Deo gloria. Thus, for Owen, the atonement was not just to make possible salvation for sinners. Rather, it was the securement of salvation for God's people, and it was accomplished and applied all for the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria).

Despite the claims of others, this book as in all reality remained unrefuted since it was written. Many have tried, and many have been declared triumphant. However, those books pale in comparrison to Owen's work. Why? Because they all fail to do address him on the level of the biblical text. In other words, they have no exegesis! It is amazing that many will argue that Calvinists argue the system to defend their beliefs. However, virtually all of those who seek to refute Owen do not engage in strong exegesis, but argue in broad terms, from the vantage point of their own systems. Talk about calling the kettle black! Perhaps the worst of these so-called responses are Dave Hunts's book, "What Love is This?" and Norman Geisler's, "Chosen But Free." Both are filled with historical inaccuracies, misquotations, and worst of all very little exegesis. Regardless of our positions in this "in-house" debate, we must above all be biblical in our arguments, and, unfortunately, that seems to be missing from those arguing on the other side.

Lest, I appear to make unfair assertions that are unsupported, check out James White's "The Potter's Freedom" for a truly devastating critque of "Chosen But Free."

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ is a polemical work designed to show among other things that the doctrine of universal redemption (or universal atonement) is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel. The introduction by J. I. Packer is worth the price of the book.

Owen is not light reading and this work is no exception. It will require no small effort on the part of the reader. It must be read slowly and carefully, and then re-read again. However, as Packer says, "Nobody has the right to dismiss the doctrine of limited atonement as a monstrodity of Calvinistic logic until he has refuted Owen's proof that it is part of the uniform biblical presentation of redemption, clearly taught in plain text after plain text." And nobody has done that yet.

I rate it 5 stars for content. But if readability is the measure, then you best move on to something else.

John Owen is slavishly devoted to Scripture to back up his viewpoint on Limited Atonement. He seeks to answer every question or objection--and succeeds. His work is definitely the definitive work on the subject. He marvelously shows that universal atonement is unbiblical and defends the Reformed viewpoint of the particularity of the atonment. Nicely done. I definitely reccomend this book.

Owen's deals with the entire scope of the death of Christ. Who it was for what it accomplished etc. This book is not for those who, as most are in the church today, wish to be entertained or be force fed. Owen himself adivses his reader, in his introduction, that if he wants to be entertained you have been stop reading and move on. However for those who truly desire to wrestle with the great doctrines of God's Word and base their views on the entire witness of Scripture and on sound reason this is the book for you. Owen not only presents a clear view of what the Bible teaches concerning the death of Christ but also refutes numerous false views. Many of these views still plague the church today.

Portions of this book actually brought me to tears while others challenged me to think and bring every thought captive to Christ and His Word. The introduction by J.I. Packer, as are most things written by Mr. Packer, was very thorough and helpful. In this age where God is viewed as nothing more than a glorified fortune teller or a cosmic santa claus Owen's classic work is desperately needed.

In his introductory essay to this work, J.I. Packer sums up accurately Owen's thesis by saying that The Death of Death in the Death of Christ is a polemical work, designed to show, among other things, that the doctrine of universal redemption is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel."

The issue, in this controversial debate, is this: Did Christ actually save anyone at the cross? The Death of Death in the Death of Christ defends the purposeful and actual procurement of salvation for sinners in the death of Christ. In other words, Christ actually did save his people rather than make salvation possible (Matthew 1:21).

Owen's Trinitarian theology does not limit the salvation of sinners to the work of Christ alone. As a result, he argues that the purpose, behind the atonement, of the triune God is to glorify himself by saving sinners. All three persons of the Trinity are at work in the salvation of sinners with the Father purposing, the Son purchasing and the Spirit preserving and applying the benefits of salvation.

Only Calvinists can rightly claim that God saves sinners from beginning to end. Consequently, it does not do justice to Scripture to argue for conditional election, universal redemption, and resistible grace. For Owen such teaching amounts to the fact that God elects nobody, Christ died for nobody, and the Spirit quickens nobody.

It is, therefore, Arminians, not Calvinists, who limit the atonement. Arminians argue that Christ died for all men. Calvinists respond by asking whether Christ died so as to secure the salvation of any man in particular. They must, of course, answer "No. Christ has died so that any man may be saved if " - and then follow certain conditions. Who is it, then, that limits the atonement?

The conclusion of the matter, after reading Owen's work, is that Arminians cheapen grace and the Cross by emptying it of its efficacy. Whereas the Calvinist asserts that Christ's death saves all who it was meant to save, Arminians deny that Christ's death is sufficient to save anyone.

In a time where there is much false teaching on this subject, we heartily recommend Owen's book. That said, because Owen's writing is somewhat cumbersome, we suggest, with this difficulty in mind that you read the book from beginning to end and do not skip sections or pages. Moreover, read and re-read this book in order to grasp the fullness and majesty of Owen's Scripture-laden thought.

John Owen was a Puritan theologian whose writings are powerful and deep. His love for Jesus and his love for Scripture shine through in all his works. I can't wait to meet him in heaven.

In this work, Owen takes the Arminian teaching on unlimited atonement to task and seeks to answer the question: For Whom did Jesus die? Did Jesus die for the elect or for the whole of humanity? Is the atoning work of Christ for the salvation of all of mankind or only the elect?

No arguments, no questions, no passages of Scripture are left untouched by John Owen. This 312 page book deals with every facet of the arguments for and against limited atonement. I would encourage anyone to read this book and if you are truly part of the elect (2 Peter 1:10) then you will truly enjoy this book.

This book is difficult to read due to the facts that it was written over 200 years ago and so the language is difficult to plow through. The author also writes in a difficult manner. But it is well worth the effort. As John Piper wrote, it is probably the best work available on the topic of Limited Atonement. I highly recommend the necessary labor for the valuable nuggets you will find.

If I had to say which book made the biggest influence on me as an unbeliever, it was this one. Why?

When I read the Bible (King James Version) as a child, preteen, I read the Bible with an Arminian (you'll need to discover what this means in context) perspective. I did not even know there was such a thing as Arminius, Calvin, Pelagius or Augustine. I read the Bible as I had been taught in church. However, it came with much complication as a young person. After some time, I left the church, because of the ambiguity I felt. There was not a consistent way of rationalizing things in my thought processes. Although, I realize now, I am not perfect and no one is, so to some extent, I must confess that my "arrogance" as a preteen may have been more than I remember. Nevertheless...

It was nearly 20 years later when I was told to read this book, "The Death of Death," and a few others like it. Genuinely, it was amazing; the books, including Owen's book, were Calvinistic in context and they made sense. I had not picked up my bible in many years to read and enjoy, until I read this book. The ideas I had as a young boy began to make sense, and I wanted to read the bible again. So, I did - a lot!

The whole understanding of foreknowledge and election are sacred doctrines of the church, and without a sympathetic and rational mind it is difficult to apprehend. Overtly emotional people will probably not be able to handle the doctrine of foreknowledge and election because they usually will maintain every person deserves a chance. But that will deny the universality of sin and the destructive nature of sin leading people to deny the doctrine of original sin. Further, those who say God is unfair, due to his foreknowledge and election, have not understood the justice of God or perhaps even the goodness of God. If as the Bible mentions explicitly all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and all men are dead in their sins, then the only way to undo that fallen, sinful nature is to be reborn or resurrected from death to life. We cannot do that on our own but the Arminians claim to have such ability or they claim to have some ability. These concepts presented here are discussed by John Owen in his book "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ."

In conclusion, this is a great book and Packer's introduction is very good.

Enjoy!