CD 2.16
Canons of Dort
2.16. Second Head of Doctrine, Rejection of Errors 7
That Christ neither could die, needed to die, nor did die for those whom God loved in the highest degree and elected to eternal life, and did not die for these, since these do not need the death of Christ. For they contradict the apostle, who declares: "the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Likewise: "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died" (Rom. 8:33-34), namely, for them; and the Savior who says: "I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:15). And: "This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13).
Proof texts
- Gal. 2:20 — [20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- John 10:15 — [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
- John 15:12-13 — [12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- Rom. 8:33-34 — [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gal. 2:20 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q21 · WLC Q36 · WCF 8.1 · HC Q37 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · 1689 8.1