The Ineffectual Opposition of the Gates of Hell
Brian Huizinga examines the Canons of Dort's exposition of Christ's death, particularly Head 2, Articles 8-9, which present God's threefold purpose in the efficacious death of Jesus: the salvation of the elect, the gathering and preservation of the church, and the universal celebration of God's praises. The article emphasizes the comfort found in the doctrine that the church's foundation in Christ's blood ensures its perpetual existence despite the ineffectual opposition of Satan.
THE CANONS OF DORDT The Canons of Dordt are steeped in rich theological concepts that afford tremendous comfort to all who believe. The comfort found at the end of Head 2, "Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby," is particularly striking in its description of the opposition of the gates of hell as "ineffectual." In Articles 8-9, the final two articles of Head 2, the Canons outline a threefold purpose of God in the efficacious death of Jesus. First, the narrow purpose of...
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