THERE are certain figurative expressions in common use in the Church, partly derived from the Scriptures and partly of human invention, which are calculated to present to the imagination in a summary and striking manner, without the process of reasoning, the general influence of Christ’s mediation. This advantage gives them, (at least a part of them,) a claim to be retained in our prayers and popular discourses. But the difficulty is that they have been introduced into logical discussions with a literal meaning, and as premises from which literal conclusions are drawn. This has been one of the most prolific sources of mistake.
The expressions are such as these; that Christ purchased the Church, that he, paid their debt, that he is one with them, that their sins were imputed to him, that he bore the curse of the law in their stead, that he satisfied divine justice for them, that his righteousness is imputed to them, and .that they are considered righteous.
It is said in Scripture, “Ye are bought with a price;” and hence, as if ransom was used but in a single sense, it is inferred, “As is the ransom must be the release.–Were redemption universal, salvation would and must be of equal extent.”1 And as if the whole was a commercial transaction, it is alleged that just enough was paid in a way of atonement to redeem a certain number, and that this number can claim a release of justice itself. ” If Christ fully paid the price of redemption for all and each, then all and each ought to be saved, and none ought to perish.”2
Because Christ answered the purpose of our punishment, men have chosen to say that he paid our debt: and from that expression, manifestly figurative and of human invention, they have gone on to infer, as though the whole transaction was of a pecuniary nature, that he became the Bondsman of a certain number, and brought himself under obligations to law and justice to discharge their debt, and actually paid it in kind; and that they, as exonerated debtors, have a claim on justice to a release.
Edward D. Griffin, An Humble Attempt to Reconcile the Differences of Christians Respecting the Extent of the Atonement (New York: Published by Stephen Dodge, 1819), 113-114. [Italics original; footnote values modernized; and underlining mine.]
[Note: Even though Griffin does not reference the phrase “double payment” or a cognate form of this expression, the idea is entailed and its rebuttal is remains the same.]
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1See a popular little book entitled Gethsemane, published first in London, and republished in Philadelphia, with high recommendations, In 1817, (containing extracts from many writers.) p. 21.
2The delegates from Zealand in the Synod of Dort. Acts of Synod, Part III. p. 156.