Southern Baptist theologian E. C. Dargan on John 3:16 as 'simple illustration of man's free choice'

“For God's love is as great as his ways are wonderful. With that same authoritative tone unchanged, and even a higher claim asserted, with that mysterious doctrine of a new birth unrepealed, and presenting a simple illustration of man's free choice, the Heavenly Teacher comes to the grand culmination. He states the most glorious and important truth ever proposed to man's acceptance: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." O ruler among the people, timid yet proud; self-righteous Pharisee, dimly conscious of need; teacher of others, yet thyself wanting light; doubtful of divine truth, yet yearning to know it, here it is, all in a sentence! Here resolve thy doubts, here rest thy soul, here wait till the day dawn and the shadows flee. God loves thee, though sinful; Christ came to seek thee, because thou wert lost. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (p.274)

--E.C. Dargan,”Christ and Nicodemus,” History, Prophecy, and Gospel: Expository Sermons on The International Sunday School Lessons for 1891. Boston: 1891. 

Comments

[Paul Owen]

Dargan's quote is beautifully stated. As a Calvinist, I can only add an amen, as should any balanced Reformed thinker. This passage is not addressing any theoretical doctrine of secret predestination (whether Arminian or Augustinian), but the benevolent character of God. The cross is the visible sign and token of God's love for the whole human race. Attempts to conform this verse to the doctrine of limited atonement (in the TULIP definition) are very weak. The expression "whoever believes" is quite clearly intended to open God's offer of salvation universally, not to limit God's intention to the salvation of the elect. It conditions the saving application of Christ's death on the cross on the response of man, not on the secret decree of God (which is not under consideration here). Christ died as a sufficient sacrifice and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. Thus verse 18 declares that men are condemned, not because no atonement was made for them, but because they refuse to believe.