The objectionable passage from Lightened With His Glory

Appendix

Here is the passage from Lightened With His Glory that has stimulated Dr. Kane's rejection:

Assurance of salvation comes with the 1888 truth of justification by faith. Calvinism says that Christ died only for the elect. While Arminianism protests that He died for "all men," it also says that He merely made a "provision whereby it might be possible for "all men" to be justified if they take the initiative in doing something right first. If the sinner does not take advantage of the offer, then the death of Christ on the cross has done and will do him no good. This is the general idea our people have had.

The 1888 messengers saw that the cross accomplished far more than making a mere provision which is dependent on the sinner's initiative. Christ has done something for every human being! "All men" owe even this present life to the sacrifice of Christ. Human salvation depends on God's initiative, and damnation depends on man's initiative. When the sinner hears the Good News and believes, he responds to God's initiative, and thus he experiences justification by faith.

Here is where the 1888 idea of justification by faith exposes subtle legalism. In pure New Testament justification by faith "boasting … is excluded" (Romans 3:27), but in the popular view the key factor is the sinner's initiative. He can say, "I took advantage of the offer, I accepted the provision, I made the decision, that brings me to heaven. Christ's sacrifice did me no good until I did something about it." Thus an egocentric mindset is locked in, and a subliminal legalism remains.

Something is tragically missing in this idea. Christ actually tasted the second death "for every man," and made propitiation for the sins of the whole world" (Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2). The sins of "all men" were legally imputed unto Him as He died, so that no one has as yet had to bear the true burden of his guilt (Romans 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:19).

Therefore "all men" live because He died for them, whether or not they believe (vss. 14, 15). Not only at Easter when people eat hot cross buns, but every loaf of bread is "stamped" with the cross. This means that both saints and sinners are "daily" equally nourished by the sacrifice of Christ (The Desire of Ages, p. 660). He has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). For whom has He brought life? For "all men." For whom has He also brought immortality? For those who believe.

Therefore, since "all men" live because their trespasses were imputed unto One who died in their place, it is correct to say that a legal justification has been effected for all men. (Some prefer the term "corporate justification" or "temporary universal justification." The truth is the same.) As "all men" are under legal "condemnation" "in Adam" by birth, so Christ has become the last Adam" in whom the entire human race are legally acquitted (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:16-18, N.E.B.). This is the "in Christ" idea of the New Testament.

This does not mean that "all men" will be saved against their will. The gift Christ has given "every man" can be despised and refused. … The 1888 message sees sin in a far more serious light than most Adventists see it. It is not a passive do-nothing-ness. Sin is so terrible that it constantly resists and rejects the saving grace of God. The sinner doesn’t realize what he is doing, and must be told. Only in this light can repentance be seen and appreciated in its true dimensions (pp. 16-18).

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[10145] 2M 6-94
A Response to Larry J. Kane by Robert J. Wieland
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