For Whom Did Christ Die?

I truly believe that the essential doctrines of the Reformed faith cannot be refuted only disbelieved. Often the pastoral doctrines of grace come to mind as a point of contention and particularly the doctrine of election.

I once had a man who had spent many weeks studying with me about the electing grace of God. At the end of our time together he said, "I cannot disprove what you believe, but I will not believe it!"

If you haven't read the following logical syllogism of the brilliant John Owen read it again and rejoice with me of God's amazing grace.

FOR WHOM DID CHRIST DIE?

The Father imposed His wrath due unto, and the Son underwent
punishment for, either:

1. All the sins of all men.
2. All the sins of some men, or
3. Some of the sins of all men.

In which case it may be said:

1. That if the last be true, all men have some sins to answer for, and so, none are saved.
2. That if the second be true, then Christ, in their stead suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the whole world, and this is the truth.
3. But if the first be the case, why are not all men free from the punishment due unto their sins?

You answer, "Because of unbelief."

I ask, Is this unbelief a sin, or is it not? If it be, then Christ suffered the punishment due unto it, or He did not. If He did, why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which He died? If He did not, He did not die for all their sins!"