You replied: We obviously have an honest disagreement. :)
Before we continue, we should clear that up. BOTH of us cannot be correct on this issue - and since you claim to not be a relativist, we should establish the correct position.
Please show me how you come up with your reasonings. Is it philosophical or metaphysical? Or is it scripturally based? I imagine it is the former, since Scripture clearly shows that Christ's atonement was not limited. I have posted a number of such verses. The Church also taught the same thing. Coupled with the idea that man can refuse God's advances of grace, it seems logical that your point is philosophically based.
Since this is key to our discussions, I would like to stop and focus here before we continue. Show me why you believe Christ's atonement was NEVER INTENDED for anyone but the "elect".
Regards
Please show me how you come up with your reasonings. Is it philosophical or metaphysical? Or is it scripturally based? I imagine it is the former, since Scripture clearly shows that Christ's atonement was not limited. I have posted a number of such verses. ...... Show me why you believe Christ's atonement was NEVER INTENDED for anyone but the "elect".
It is scripturally based. But first, in my mind there are three choices: (1) Christ was sent to redeem everyone, and all would be saved. That is universalism, and obviously unscriptural. (2) Christ was sent to redeem all those who would have faith, and perform required works. This is potential atonement, not actual atonement. (3) Christ was sent to redeem only the elect. This is actual atonement. Now to some verses:
Matt 1:21 : She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [Not all people, only "His people".]
Rom 8:29-30 : 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [Note that "those" obviously does not refer to all.]
John 10:27-30 : 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." [Note that "they" and "them" do not refer to all.]
John 17:9-12 : 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. [Again, obviously atonement is not intended for all, but for only those the Father has given Him.]
Eph 5:25-28 : 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. [Jesus did not give Himself up for all, just His Church.]
John 3:16 : 16 "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. [The word "that" connects the giving of the Son to the intended beneficiaries (those who believe).]
I know you have quoted several verses along the lines of "Jesus died to save the whole world". But if these are taken literally, then either God is a complete failure, or there is no actual atonement at all. Rather than have God being a failure or not atoning for us, a better view is to see these verses more as the Jews saw them at the time. To them, only Jews could go to Heaven. These verses opened up "the world" to include Gentiles. But I do not "declare" that this is the only way to see it. There just has to be something better than "God is a colossal failure or He did not atone for us". I've said this many times, but never have gotten a comment from an Apostolic, so I can only assume that your side is comfortable with these possibilities.