Featured For God so loved the world (Earth as the temple of God)

Is that really the argument put forth in the OP?

Perhaps I missed it.

But, as it points to John 3:16, here is were I disagree with a cited article.

The article’s ending paragraph states:

“The debate over LA is often characterized as a debate over the extent of the atonement. For whom did Christ die? For everyone or for the elect alone? But this isn’t quite right. The real issue concerns the intent of the atonement. For what specific purpose did God send his Son into the world to make atonement? Was it God’s purpose to try to save everyone (knowing that not everyone would be saved) or to save his chosen people (knowing that they would indeed be saved)? Was it God’s plan to make salvation generally available, in a indefinite fashion, or to actually save a definite group of people?” (John 3:16 Teaches Limited Atonement - The Aquila Report)
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I don’t see the atonement as the focus of John 3:16 at all.

Folks generally take the word ”gave” as pointing to the crucifixion. I think that is a very weak assumption that I and most others have made.

Christ is stating factually the mission, “to seek and save....” was from the authority of the Father as the ultimate expression and only offer for eternal life.

Making the verse into a statement of atonement, other than the limit comes because not all believe, seems to be a ploy more commonly found in emotional persuasion by frenzied evangelist than the pure declaration of the Scriptures.

There are far better, more pointed single sentences from John that would better support the “extent” or even “intent” of the atonement.

Here is one:

1Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.
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What are we supposed to be listening for in this video? The speaker seems to be bouncing around in scripture. What is his main point?
Perhaps you could summarize the points of this sermon that you wish to highlight.

 

It is in the title of the op: For God so loved the world (Earth as the temple of God)

 

I agree that the blood was shed for all sin of all creation.

However, I disagree that the death and resurrection were for the benefit of all, but specific to believers.

I take that view from passages such as: 1 Corinthians 15, Luke 20:36, Romans 6, ...

 

How very poor of me!

How did I miss that!

Perhaps so focused upon John 3?

Thank you for your help.

You are correct in pointing the title presents what the Scriptures don’t support.

 

In the ot. The elect came primarily from the nation of Israel.
He came to His own, His own received Him not.
Now in the NT. The elect are primarily from the heathen gentile nations, that is the world. Salvation goes world wide now.

 

My understanding is the general redemption is first to secure salvation for His elect and secondarily making Him Judge of the perishing. Romans 8:34; Romans 14:9-11.

 

With all due respect, the elect have always been the children of the promise with no requirement to be of the national origin of Israel. God (the Promised One) came through the line of David, but God's elect have always been from every tribe and tongue.

 

Yes, but Deut7 and Amos3: indicate that nation was singled out,from among the other nations.
This in part was to be a type of the true Holy Nation, the New Covenant Church.
Not everyone in that nation was elected as true Israel.romans 9:6-11, not everyone in the world is elected now either.

 

For certain atonement is limited in its application and saving effect. Virtually all arminians will admit this. It's also is certain Christ died for all. Many Calvinists will admit this, but all should, considering the explicit verses that say so.

 

It is God's will that everyone come to repentance.
Mat_9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Is there anyone I left out? neither is there anyone Christ left out. Those who do not repentance loose there chance to have Salvation.
MB

 

Neither verse is applied to those perishing but to those who are believers.

As far as those who are perishing look to the statements of John concerning if He judges.

5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope

8:15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.

12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Don't forget that John 3 presents that the non-believer is already condemned.

 

There is that agreement among all, but the full Pelagian, that the atonement is limited.

However, I would caution the presentation of Matthew 9:13 as to mean that God's will is that everyone comes to repentance. Some may think it is implied, but that it was not stated does not give freedom to extend implication to fact.

2 Peter 3:9 the words again do not present any obligation of emotion such as humankind may have in desire or not willing. For the will of God is accomplished and cannot be thwarted. Nor is God needy. He cannot be needy for then there would be a temptation, and God cannot be tempted.

So, how is it to be taken, these words from 2 Peter are in the context of the promise of the Lord's coming and why there is a delay.

1This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
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One must then attend to who the audience is, what is the topic, and within those parameters that statement.

The most consistent manner would then make the statement that the Lord has delayed His return. That the return is delayed so that those not "kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" are saved, for after that coming there will be no salvation.

The context of this passage does not and cannot be taken as some who would present a God that is needy and that such need is extended in some manner to all people the opportunity of salvation.

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The nation was singled out to be the lineage by which the promised one (Jesus) would come, not as the elect members of the Kingdom of God.
We run into problems when we try applying corporate election. We see groups like the RCC, the EOC and Lutherans trying to have their infants saved by corporate election through infant baptism. The results have been horrific positions that preach salvation by association rather than salvation by grace through faith.

 

Please summarize the points the speaker is making.

 

Of course He is not absent or indifferent towards His creation.

I did watch about 3/4ths of the sermon.

How do these Scriptures conform to the OP presenting the earth is the tabernacle/temple?

I just don't see that dirt has much other than providing the materials used for the tabernacle/temple, and not that God considers the dirt as the structure for worship.

It seems a bit of perhaps Native American storytelling in which the earth is thanked or brother coyote is welcomed for the gifts given.

Not that the OP is presenting such, but when the dirt begins to become considered as a temple/tabernacle I just don't think there is Scripture support.