System of Christian Theology 9781463226718

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System of Christian Theology

Gorgias Theological Library

56

The Gorgias Theological Library brings back to active circulation carefully selected rare classics which are essentials for the shelves of every theological library. The selections include tools for scholars, but also general theological works of interest to general readers.

System of Christian Theology

By

Henry Boynton Smith Edited by

Williams. Karr

gorgtas press 2010

Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2010 by Gorgias Press LLC Originally published in 1884 All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. 2010

ISBN 978-1-61719-227-2 Reprinted from the 1884 New York edition.

Printed in the United States of America

ISSN 1935-6935

P

R

E

F

A

C

E

.

IN preparing this work use has been made of a phonographic report of the larger

part of Professor

Smith's lectures as they were given in the year 1857, of several full sets of notes taken by students in other years, of the whole of Professor Smith's sketches and outlines of his lectures as left in manuscript, and of a number of his unpublished sermons. 1

The result is that

the following exhibition of his views in theology is much fuller than that which he wTas able to impart to any one class during the years of lecturing to successive classes. The order of topics given in Chap. VI. of The Introduction to Christian Theology is observed in this volume with some few deviations.

The author did not always

keep with strictness to the order which he had prescribed to himself.

But all the main features of the system pre-

sented in The Introduction are preserved here. Following the two books already published, 2 this volume completes the author's statements on all the chief questions in theology, and as care has been taken to give not only his thought but his precise language in 1 Selections from the sermons are inserted, for the most part, in the Second Division and at the beginning of the Third. 2 The Apologetics and The Introduction to Christian Theology.

PREFACE.

IV

all cases where tins was practicable, it is hoped that the work will not be found wanting in any of the characteristics which distinguish his productions.

The foot-

notes are made up from materials found in Professor Smith's papers.

In a few instances the editor has given

his own impressions as to the author's views, and has added references to his published works. The two sons of Professor Smith have rendered valuable assistance in carrying the book through the press, and the I n d e x has been prepared by Mrs. Smith, w h o has thus added to her most attractive memoir of her husband a summary of his chief work. W . S. K . HARTFORD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

March, 1881.

CONTENTS. DIVISION ANTECEDENTS

FIRST,

OF

REDEMPTION.

PART I. THE CHRISTIAN BOOK

DOCTRINE RESPECTING

GOD.

I.—THE DIVINE NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES.

CHIP. I.—THE D I M E

§ | § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

NATURE.

Can God be known ? Can God be defined? . . . The Mode in which we gain our explicit Conception of the Deity. Anthropomorphism and Anthropopathism Scriptural Designations of the Divine Nature . . . . Theological Definitions of the Divine Nature . . . .

CHAP. I I . — T H E

DIVINE

3 7 7 9 10 11

ATTRIBUTES.

§ 1. The Idea of the Divine Attributes § 2. Classification of the Attributes

12 15

C H A P . I I I . — T H E A T T E I B U T E S OF G O D AS P U E E E S S E N C E OE B E I N G .

§ § § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Self-existence Unlimited by Space or Time Eternity of God The Divine Immensity and Omnipresence The Divine Spirituality. The Divine Simplicity The Divine Unity

C H A P . I V . — A T T R I B U T E S OF G O B AS T H E S U P R E M E E E A S O N AND

§ § § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Proof that God is the most perfect Intelligence . Definition of Omniscience The Objects of the Divine Knowledge Of Scientia Media The Divine Prescience or Foreknowledge The Divine Eeason

CHAP. V . — A T T R I B U T E S OF THE DIVINE

.

.

.

UNDERSTANDING.

.

.

CHAP. V I I . — T H E

O M N I P O T E N C E OP G O D DIVINE HOLINESS

. 2 3 23 24 25 2G 28

WILL.

§ 1. Idea of the Divine Will § 2. The Distinction of the Divine Will as to its Objects . . . § 3. Other Distinctions as to the Mode of Manifestation of the Divine Will CHAP. V I . — T H E

1(5 17 17 20 21 21

29 30 31 32 34

VI

CONTENTS.

CHAP. V I I I . — THE DIVINE LOVE. § 1. Definitions of D i v i n e L o v e

37

§ 2. Proofs of the Divine L o v e

37

$ 3. Divisions of the Divine L o v e as to its Objects

.

.

. 3 8

§ 4. Other Modifications of the Divine L o v e

38

§ 5. T h e Divine Benevolence

38

§ 6. Sources of Proof of the D i v i n e Benevolence

.

.

.

. 4 0

§ 7. Objections to the D i v i n e Benevolence from the Existence of E v i l

40

CHAP. I X . — T H E DIVINE VEKACITY

43

CHAP. X . — T H E DIVINE JUSTICE. § 1. General Idea of the Justice of G o d § 2. Proofs of the Divine Justice

45

§ 3. Distinctions in respect to the D i v i n e Justice

.

.

.

.

45

§ 4. W h y does G o d as a Moral Governor exercise Punitive Justice ? . BOOK

II.—THE

TRINITY,

OK

GOD

AS K N O W N

IN

THE

46

WORK

OP

REDEMPTION. Preliminary Remarks

48

CHAP. I . — T H E MANIFESTED TRINITY. § 1. That G o d is One

50

§ 2. That the Father is Divine and a Distinct Person

.

.

. 5 1

§ 3. That the Son is Divine and a Distinct Person from the Father

.

53

§ 4. Objections to the P r o o f of the D i v i n i t y ot Christ on the Ground of the Arian Hypothesis

03

§ 5. That the H o l y Spirit is Divine and a Distinct Person from the Father and the Son

65

§ G. T h e Father, Son, and Spirit, are classed together, separately from all other Beings, as D i v i n e

71

§ 7. Result of the Biblical E v i d e n c e in respect to the D i v i n i t y o£ the Father, the Sou, and the H o l y Spirit

72

CHAP. I I . — T H E ESSENTIAL TEINITY. § 1. That the Distinctions of the Godhead are represented in the Scriptures as internal

73

§ 2. Remarks on Sabellianism

77

§ 3. That these Distinctions in the Godhead are appropriately designated as Personal Distinctions

79

§ 4. T h e Ecclesiastical Statements as to the distinctive Characteristics of the Persons § 5. I s the T e r m Sou used in the Scriptures in reference to Christ's immanent Relation to the Father?

£3

§ 6. H o w are we to conceive this Relation as an internal one in the Godhead?

87

PART II. CHRISTIAN

COSMOLOGY.

CHAP. I.—CEEATOK AND CREATION. § 1. T h e Scripture represents God as the Creator of the W o r l d .

.

92

§ 2. T h e Scripture represents the Son of G o d as the M e d i u m b y AVhom the W o r l d was brought into being

.

.

.

.

92

CONTEXTS. § § § §

3. 4, 5. 6.

vii

God Created freely and not In' necessity Creation is not from any previously extant, substance . . . T h e Relation of God as Creator to v. h:U He has created . . The Scripture represents Creation as a plan and n o t as a Development

CHAP. I I . — O F THE CHEATED UNIVERSE AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE CHAP. I I I . — O P THE DIFFERENT ORDERS OF CREATED BEINGS

.

. .

. .

92 92 95 95 96 98

CHAP. I V . — T H E PRESERVATION OF CP.EATION.

§ § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Sources of Proof of (lie Doctrine The P u r p o r t of the Doetrinc Theory of continued Creation A Modification of the Theory of continued Creation The Mechanical Theory of Preservation

.

.

.

102 102 103 104 105

CHAP. V . — D I V I N E PROVIDENCE.

§ § § §

1. 2. 3. 4.

General Statements in respect to this Doctrine . . Proof of the Doctrine of Providence Distinction as to general and particular Providence . Modes of the Divine Providence

.

. .

.

CHAP. V I . — T H E DECREES o r GOD

§ 1. § 2. § 3. § 4§5.

114

Preliminary Statements Of the Terms used to denote the Doctrine Characteristics of the Divine Decree or Decrccs . Proof of the Doctrine of Decrees Objections to the Doctrine of the Divine Dccrees

.

. .

. .

.

CHAP. V I I . — T H E E N D OF GOD IN CREATION

§ § § § § § § § §

115 117 117 120 122 126

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Meaning and Statement of the Question Conditions of the Solution of the Problem—if possible . . Statement of the Theories The Scriptural Argument The Supreme E n d of Creation is the Declarative Glory of God . Arguments in Favor of this Position Consideration of Objections T h e Happiness Theory The Connection between the View of the E n d of God in Creation and the Theory of the Nature of Virtue . . . . § 10. Some historical Statements as to Theories of God's E n d in Creation CHAP. V I I I . — T H E THEODICY.

10G 108 110 Ill

T H E QUESTION OF THE BEST SYSTEM

127 129 130 131 132 136 138 140 142 143

.

.

146

§ 1. I s Sin the necessity Means of the greatest Good ? , § 2. Does the Nature of Free Agency account for Sin ? . . § 3. We cannot State all the Reasons for the Permission of Sin .

. , .

147 149 153

PART

CHRISTIAN

III.

ANTHROPOLOGY. SPECTING

THE DOCTRINE MAN.

RE-

CHAP. I . — W H A T IS MAN AS A MORAL B E I N O ?

i d

§ 1. Of Man in his most General Relations § 2. W h a t constitutes the Individuality of each M a n ? § 3. Of the Union of Body and Soul in Man

](il .

.

.

1C3 J63

VILI

CONTENTS. § § § § § § §

4. Of the Origin of Souls (after the Creation of the first S o u l ) . 5. Of Personality 0. The primary Facts involved in all Personal Agency . . 7. The Powers and Facilities of the Soul 8. Of the original Tendencies of Man's Soul 9. Of Conscience 10. Of Man's highest Spiritual Capacities

CHAP. I I . — W H A T IS THE LAW OF GOD: WHAT DOES IT REQUIRE?

.

§ 1. Some general Statements as to the Characteristics of the Law § 2. The two f u n d a m e n t a l Objects or E n d s of the Law of God .

. .

166 170 170 173 176 178 190

.

191

. .

192 194

CHAP. I I I . — T H E HIGHEST GOOD

195

CHAP. I V . — T H E FORMAL THEORIES o r THE NATURE OF VIRTUE.

§ § § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Virtue is acting according to the Fitness of Things . . Virtue is that which promotes the great E n d of our Being . Virtue is Acting in conformity with the Relations of Things Acting in conformity to the Will of God Kant's Theory Dr. Hickok's Theory

. . .

CHAP. V . — T H E HAPPINESS THEORIES

§ § § §

1. 2. 3. 4.

198 199 199 200 203 203 205

The Selfish Scheme. The Ethics of Paley Virtue consists in the Tendency to t h e greatest Happiness. Subjective Happiness or Self-Love Scheme General He-marks on all the Happiness Theories

.

CHAP. V I , — T H E HOLY LOVE THEORIES

206 207 210 213 214

CHAP. V I L — S O M E HINTS AS TO A THEORY OF THE NATURE OF VIRTUE.

§ § § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Preliminary Statements 218 The Scriptural View of the Nature of True Virtue . . .220 Statement of the Principle of T r u e Virtue in the abstract . . 222 Arguments for the Definition 225 Some Objections to the Theory 227 Statement of the general Principle of all Virtue in the concrete . 229

CHAP. V I I I . — O F MAN'S PERSONAL PIELATIONS TO THE LAW OF GOD

.

.

CHAP. I X . — O P THE SEAT OF MORAL CHARACTER.

.

.

§ § § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

T H E WILL

.

Of the Idea of the Will Of the Power of the Will . . Of Self-Determination Modes of the Will's Action Of the Liberty or Freedom of the Will Of the Will and Motives

232 236

237 238 ,239 240 242 245

CHAP. X . — O F LIBERTY AND NECESSITY

250

CHAP. X L — O P THE PRIMEVAL MORAL STATE OF MAN

252

§ 1. The Scriptures teach that there was a primitive State of Innocence § 2. This original State is described in general Terms as the Divine Image in Man § 3. Yet this primitive State was not one of confirmed Holiness b u t mutable § 4. On the different Interpretations of the " Divine Image " . .

253 253 255 255

CHAP. X I I . — T H E DESTINATION OF MAN TF HE HAD CONTINUED IN OBEDIENCE. THE COVENANT OP L I F E OR OF WORKS

258

ix

CONTENTS.

l'Ai;i'

iv.

CHRISTIAN HAMABTOLO&r. THE DOCTRINE RESPECTING SIN. CHAP. I . — T H E

F A I L HISTORICALLY VIEWED.

§ 1. T h e Temptation. I s it Historieal ? § 2. T h e Features of the Temptation CHAP. I I . — T H E

PENALTY.

260 261

T H E D E A T H THREATENED FOE DISOBEDIENCE

.

264

§ 1. As to Spiritual Death § 2. Temporal Death § 3. E t e r n a l Death CHAP. I I I . — T H E

265 266 271 .

273

§ 1. Sin as known by Experience. . . . . . . § 2. T h e universal Sinfulness of Man as testified to in Scripture . § 3. This universal Depravity is set forth in the Scriptures as total,

CONSEQUENCES OF THE F A L L TO THE HUMAN E A C E

.

271 275

i. e., as affecting the whole Man § 4. This depraved State is native to Man

276 277

CHAP. I V . — O R I G I N A L S I N

283

§ 1. General Statements § 2. T h e F a c t s of the Case, in respect to Original Sin, as given in Scripture § 3. T h e F a c t s of the Case as to Original Sin, as argued from E x p e r i ence, and on other than Scriptural Grounds CHAP. V . — T H E

§ § § § §

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

302

SO-CALLED M E D I A T E IMPUTATION

CHAP. V I I I . — O B J E C T I O N S CHAP. I X . — O F

297

T H E O R I E S PROPOSED FOB T H E SOLUTION OF THE P R O B L E M .

T h e Theory of Immediate Imputation T h e T h e o r y o f D i r e c t D i v i n c E f f l c i e n c y , in the way of a Constitution T h e Hypothesis of Physical Depravity T h e Pelagian and Unitarian View T h e Hypothesis o f Pre-existonee

CHAP. V I I . — O F

291

COUNTER ^REPRESENTATION AS TO S I N AND ITS PUNISHMENT

IN S C R I P T U R E AND E X P E R I E N C E CHAP. Y I . — T H E

286

TO THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL S I N

THE BONDAGE OF S I N ,

304 308 309 312 313 314

.

.

. 3 2 3

ITS P O W E R OVER THE HUMAN W I L L .

326

§ 1. Preliminary Definitions § 2. T h e Power to the Contrary § 3. T h e positive Statements as to the Relation of Natural Ability and Moral Inability

327 329 33]

CONTENTS.

X

DIVISION

SECOND.

TIIE REDEMPTION ITSELF. THE AND WORK OF CHRIST. PART

I.

OF THE INCARNATION NATURE AND ('HAT. I . — W H A T

IS PRESUPPOSED IN TUE

PERSON

IN ITS GENERAL OBJECTS.

INCARNATION.

§ 1. Of the Incarnation in Relation to Sin 343 § 2. Such a Constitution of the Divine Nature as made an Incarnation possible 352 CHAP. I I . — T H E CHAP. I I I . — T H E

INCARNATION P R I M A R I L Y F A C T AND NOT D O C T E I N E

.

F A C T OF T H E I N C A R N A T I O N I N R E L A T I O N TO M A N ' S

.

353

MORAL

WANTS.

§ 1. It presents us with the Life of a perfect Man as a Model for Imitation, and so meets Need 354 § 2. The Relation of tl;e Incarnation to Human Wants is seen in its giving to Man the most direct Access to, and Communion with, God 358 § 3. Incarnation in order to Redemption 360 C H A P . I V . — H O W FAT. MAY AN INCARNATION* B E SAID TO B E NECESSARY ON T H E F A R T OF G O D ?

.

.

.

CHAP. V . — T H E

INCARNATION I N H I S T O R Y

CNAF. V I . — O F

TIIE

INCARNATION

THEOLOGICAL CHAP. V I I . — O F

.

.

.

.

.

.

362 369

AS CONNECTED

WITH

T H E WHOLE

OF

S Y S T E M , AND AS V I E W E D BY D I F F E R E N T P A R T I E S

T H E INCARNATION ON P H I L O S O P H I C A L

GROUNDS

.

.

THE .

369

.

373

§ 1. As to the Philosophy of Christianity 373 § 2. In the Incarnation we have the Means of adjusting the conflict between Christianity and Philosophy 374 C M P. V I I I . — C O M P A R I S O N

OF T H E INCARNATION W I T H SOME O T H E R P A C T S AS

GIVING T H E CENTRAL I D E A S OF T H E C H R I S T I A N S Y S T E M . CHAP. I X . — O F

T H E INCARNATION AS T H E

OF H U M A N N A T U R E .

THE

U N F O L D I N G OF T H E

SECOND

PART

.

.

377

POSSIBILITIES

ADAM

379

II.

OF TIIE PERSON OF THE MEDIA TOR. TIIE SON OF GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. THE GOD-MAN. CHAP. I . — T H E

SCRIPTURAL

GOD-MAN

TEACHINGS

RESPECTING

THE

PERSON

OF

THE '-'-6

§ 1. The general Impression of the Declarations of Scripture on this Point 886 § 2, The Proof from Scripture of Christ's Divinity . . . . 3S7

CONTEXTS.

XI

§ 3. The Miraculous Conception 389 § 4. I n the Miraculous Conception the Logos assumed a true and complete H u m a n i t y 392 § 5. I n the Scriptures both the Divine and Hun;,in Natures of Christ are often b r o u g h t under one View 393 § 6. T h e various Modes in which what is said of Christ in the Scriptures is to be interpreted in respect to bis IVrsuii and Natures 393 § 7. According to the Scriptures, Christ wa> one Person, and his Personality was from his Divine Nature 394 § 8. Summary and Conclusions from Scripture Testimony as to the Two Natures and One IVr.son. . . . . . . 395 CHAP. I I . — T H E

EARLY

CHAP. I I I . — L A T E R

HERETICAL

DOCTRINAL

O P I N I O N S AS TO T H E P E R S O N OF C H R I S T .

DIFFIDENCES

BROUGHT

TTI> I N

THE

V E R S I E S OF T H E R E F O R M A T I O N CHAP. I V . — T H E

OBJECTIONS

AND

397

DIFFICULTIES

URGED

AGAINST

THE

DOC-

T R I N E OF T H E P E R S O N OF C H R I S T CHAP. V . — T H E

ENTIRE RESULT

39G

CONTRO-

399

A S TO T H E P E R S O N

.

-±21

§ 1. The General Object of Christ's Coming § 2. M u n u s Triplex. Christ's Offices as Prophet, Priest, and King .

4.30 431

PART

CHAP. I I . — O F

CHRIST'S

MEDIATOR.

STATEMENTS.

W O R K A S T H E ONLY T R U E P R I E S T .

AND T H E N E C E S S I T Y FOR A T O N E M E N T CHAP. I I I . — O P

.

III.

THE WORK OF THE CHAP. I-'—PRELIMINARY

OF OUR L O R D .

.

.

ATONEMENT

Or .

.

.

T H E L E A D I N G S C R I P T U R A L B E P E E S E N I ' A T I O N OF T H E

WORK

OF C H R I S T — T H A T

.

137

ATONING

IT IS A S A C R I F I C E

442

. . 443 § 1. The System of Sacrifices prevalent in the Pagan World § 2. I n the Old Testament we find the same essential Elements as in the h e a t h e n Sacrifices 445 § 3. Another Argument for the same Position is derived from the Old Testament Prophecies of Christ 447 § 4. The New Testament Descriptions of the Sufferings and D e a t h of Christ repeat the same Ideas, give us in more strict F o r m of Assertion the same Elements 443 § 5. Consideration of Objections . . . . . . . 453 CHAP. I V . ™ A N A L Y S I S

OF T H E S C R I P T U R A L S T A T E M E N T S AS TO C H R I S T ' S

SUF-

F E R I N G S AND D E A T H CHAP. V . — T H E

T H E O R Y OF T H E A T O N E M E N T .

.

.

.

.

.

.

464

§ 1. Theories which define the Atonement ultimately by its Influence on Man, in bringing to a New Life 454 § 2. Theories which p u t the Essence of the Atonement in Satisfaction to Distributive Justice 4^ § 3. Theories which assert that the Atonement consists in the Satisfaction of General Justice § 4. The Atonement, while it indirectly satisfies Distributive Justice, does n o t consist in this: it consists in satisfying the demands of Public Justice 470

xii

CONTENTS.

CHAP. V I . — T H E EXTENT OP THE ATONEMENT.

CHAP

§ 1. Statement of the Question § 2. Proof of General Atonement § 3. Objections to General Atonement

478 479 480

V I I . — T H E INTERCESSION OF CHRIST

481

DIVISION THIRD. THE KINGDOM

OF

REDEMPTION.

INTRODUCTORY BEHARKS

491

PART I. THE UNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER, AS EFFECTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BOOK

I.—PBEDESTINATION,

ELECTION,

THE

EFFECTUAL

CALL.

CHAP. I.—GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

502

CHAP. II.—ELECTION AND KEPROBATION.

§ 1. Statement of tho Scriptural Doctrine of Election § 2. Keprobation § 3. Objections to the Doctrine of Predestination .

.

.

505 508 509

§ 1. Of the External Call § 2. The Internal Call § 3. Under this General Statement, some Questions a n d Difficulties are raised . . . . . . . • • •

515 516

.

. .

.

CHAP, I I I . — T H E GOSPEL CALL.

BOOK

II—OF

516

JUSTIFICATION.

CHAP. I.—PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

522

CHAP. I I . — O F THE TERM AND IDEA: JUSTIFY— JUSTIFICATION; T H E GENERAL AND SCRIPTURAL SENSE CHAP. III.—JUSTIFICATION INVOLVES A RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ITS GROUND

526 .

.

528

CHAP. IV.—PERSONAL KIGHTEOUSNESS

528

CHAP. V . — T H E GROUND OF JUSTIFICATION

529

§ 1. Statements of Scripture as to the Ground of Justification . . 530 § 2. How Christ can be the Ground of our Justification . . .531 § 3. I n what Way does what Christ has done avail to the Believer through this Union, for his Justification as a R i g h t eousness ? . . . . . . . • • • 538 CHAP. V I . — T H E INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE OF JUSTIFICATION.

§ 1. Faith, and Faith alone § 2. T h e Idea of F a i t h § 3. Some questions in regard to F a i t h

.

539 540 641

xm

CONTESTS.

§ 4. Is Han responsible for his Belief—i. e., for his Unbelief? . . 543 § 5. Why is the High Office assigned to Faith of being the Instrumental Cause of J notification? 544 CHAP. V I I . — T H E DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT VIEWS OF JUSTIFICATION

•

.

545

CHAP. V I I I . — H I S T O R I C A L STATEMENTS RESPECTING THE DIFFERENT THEOBIES OF JUSTIFICATION

548

CHAP. I X . — O B J E C T I O N S TO THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BOOK

III.-REGENERATION

AND

.

.

.

.

551

REPENTANCE.

C H A P . I.—INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS.

§ 1. The Doctrine as held in some of the different Systems . . 553 § 2. Of the Terms employed 557 § 3. Connection of the Doctrine of Regeneration with other Truths . 559 CHAP. I I . — T H E NECESSITY OF .REGENERATION

5G0

CHAP. I I I . — T H E SUBJECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF REGENERATION

.

.

.

CHAP. I V . — T H E AUTHOR OF REGENERATION

500 563

CHAP. V . — H o w DOES THE S P I R I T REGENERATE THE S O U L ?

.

.

.

.

5G4

C H A P . V I . — T H E MEANS OF REGENERATION.

§ 1. External Providential Means § 2. Acts of the Sinner as among the Means § 3. Of the Truth as a means of Regeneration

566 566 568

CHAP. V I I . — T H E EXHORTATION: M A K E TO YOURSELF A NEW HEART.

.

.

569

CHAP. V I I I . — T H E CONSCIOUS PROCESSES OF THE SOUL IN REGENERATION .

.

570

CHAP. I X . — R E P E N T A N C E

572

§ 1. Some general Statements of the Protestant View . § 2. Repentance should be immediate § 3. Some special Works and Signs of Repentance . BOOK

IV.—SANCTIFICATION

AND

.

.

.

.

.

.

573 574 574

PERFECTION.

CHAP. I.—SANCTIFICATION.

§ 1. The nature of Sanctification according to the Scriptures . . 575 § 2. The Difference between Justification, Regeneration, aud Sanctification 576 § 3. Of Good Works and Sanctification 576 § 4. The Means of Sanctification 577 CHAP. I I . — P E R F E C T I O N I S M

§ 1. The older Theories § 2. The modern View of Perfectionism CHAP. I I I . — P E R S E V E R A N C E OF THE SAINTS

§ 1. Arguments in favor of the Doctrine § 2. Explanations of the Doctrine § 3. Objections to the Doctrine

5g0 581 585

586 586 587

PAKT II. THE UNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND IIIS CHURCH § 1. Of the fundamental and germinant Idea of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ 59Q § 2. Of the Nature of the Church as seen in the Light of this radical and central Idea

XIV

CONTEXTS.

PART

III.

THE CONSUMMATION' OF THE KINGDOM OF REDEMPTION IN TIME AND ETERNITY. THE ESCIIATOLOGY. CHAP, I . — O F DEATH AND IMMORTALITY.

§ § § §

1. 2. 3. 4.

Death Of Immortality Annihilation Objections to Immortality

598 598 600 601

CHAP. I I . — O F THE INTERMEDIATE STATE

602

§ 1. Historic Facts as to the Doctrine §' 2. PROPOSITION. There is no sufficient Scriptural warrant for such an Intermediate State as described § 3. Of Purgatory § 4. The Sleep of Souls

603 604 606 606

CHAP. I I I . — T H E SECOND ADVENT

608

CHAP. IV.—RESURRECTION OF THE BODY

610

CHAP. V . — T H E LAST JUDGMENT

612

CHAP. V I . — T H E AWARDS OF THE LAST DAY

§ 1. § 2. § 3. §4. § 5.

The Scriptural Testimony as to E n d l e s s P u n i s h m e n t . . Objections to the Doctrine of Endless P u n i s h m e n t . . Of the Restitution of all Things Position and Relations of the Doctrine of F u t u r e P u n i s h m e n t The Award of Eternal Blessedness to the Righteous . .

613

. . . .

614 617 618 620 620

PART

I.

THE CHRISTIAN DOCTKINE RESPECTING GOD. [BOOK I., THE DIVINE

NATURE

AND

ATTRIBUTES;

BOOK THE DIVINE

NATURE

DIVINE

THE

TRINITY.)

I. AND

CHAPTER THE

BOOK IL,

ATTRIBUTES.

I.

NATURE.

I s N a t u r a l T h e o l o g y 1 we h a v e considered t h e Being of God as t h e infinite, absolute, personal Spirit, t h e g r o u n d and cause of all t h a t exists. adding the Scriptural

We are n o w to consider more fully,

proof,

the Divine N a t u r e .

§ 1. Can God be knoivn ? T h e difficulty on this point as it lias been discussed, is t h i s : God is a n infinite a n d absolute b e i n g ; man, on t h e other hand, is a limited a n d finite being, of course limited in his power of knowledge.

H o w then can this finite and limited

b e i n g k n o w t h e infinite and absolute b e i n g ? incommensurable.

t h e Creator a n d t h e creature. measure.

T h e t e r m s are

T h e whole diameter of being lies between There appears to be no common

On t h e other hand, if God cannot be known, all

our idea of H i m would be simply equal to zero. a n abstract notion w i t h o u t a n y life.

It would be

Consequently, both

in

philosophy and in theology, in heathenism a n d in Christianity, we h a v e a variety of speculations and statements, r a n g i n g from u t t e r skepticism to t h e h e i g h t of faith, from t h e assertion of t h e absolute impossibility of k n o w l e d g e to t h e claim of absolute knowledge. 1

See "Apologetics," p. 85, and "Introduction to Christian Theology." p. 81.

4

CHRISTIAN CLASSIFICATION

THEOLOGY.

OP THESE

DIFFERENT

POSITIONS.

1. The philosophical positions. These are chiefly four:— (a.) Many philosophers and schools of philosophy take the position that God in himself cannot be known at all. This is illustrated in Plato's well-known saying (Timseus): " t h a t to find the center and father of all is difficult, and if found it is impossible to talk to all about Him, for He is the highest good, having no essence or existence, but r a n g i n g beyond all essence and existence in his worth and power." So Philo says: " God is without any qualities, and we can only ascribe to Him pure being without attributes." This is everywhere the tone of t h o u g h t in the New Platonic School. Among modern philosophers, Kant teaches that it is impossible for the intellect, " the pure reason," to know God. W h a t we come at under the guidance of reason is a series of contradictions, and what we can know about God is attained not by the pure, but by the practical, reason, by the urgency of our moral wants. Yet these very statements imply some degree of knowledge 1 —that He is, if not what He is. (6.) The same position is held by many skeptical philosophers, with whom it takes the form of a denial of all piety and of all religion. The highest speculative minds, however, while denying that God can be properly " k n o w n , " have asserted that our moral nature aspires to Him. (c.) God can be known fully and really, but only in t h e way of mystic contemplation, not in any proper knowledge through the intellect, but only in a knowledge through feeling and devotion. This is an opinion of the ancient school of mystics and also of the modern school. (d.) Counter to all these is the position t h a t God can b e absolutely known by the intellect. This is the pantheistic theory, especially as advocated by Spinoza and Hegel. W e can know God purely and completely because we are a p a r t of Him. To have the idea of Him is to know Him, and we could not know. Him unless we were a part of Him. 2. Positions held in the Church. 1

We have the same genera]

See "Apologetics," p. 35.

ANTECEDENTS

OF

REDEMPTION.

positions as before, modified by the acceptance of the Christian revelation. (a.) There are those who assert t h a t God can be fully known as we know logic and mathematics. Thus the Arians, in their discussions on the Trinity, claimed that God could be known, and so fully known as to justify the assertion that there could not be any pluri-personality in Him, that He must exist as a single, individual mind, (b.) Others have assorted that God is utterly incomprehensible in himself, that He is above all names. No term can name Him. If we give a name we cannot affix to it any definite conception. (c.) There is also the position t h a t in this life and with the mere understanding God cannot be known, and that He cannot be known by the wicked, those who are alienated from Him by wicked works; but that He may be known so far as He is revealed in Christ, and through this revelation we may attain to a knowledge of Him sufficient for our devotion and direction, but not sufficient to fill tip the idea of God.1 3. The Scriptural assertions and statements. Exodus xxxiii.: the scene in which God appears to Moses. " S h o w me thy glory," etc. The sense of this gives a key to the whole Scriptural revelation of God. W e cannot know God face to face, but we can track Him (Exodus xxxiii. 23) by his revelations. He cannot be known fully by m a n : Job xi. 7; Matt. xi. 25; Rom. xi. 34; 1 Tim. vi. 16. These Scriptural representations show us that there is in God that which is to the human intellect incomprehensible and unfathomable. On the other hand we have statements which show t h a t some knowledge can be had by m a n : Matt. v. 8; xi. 27; 1 Cor. xiii. 12; Kev. xxii. 4. Particularly do the Scriptures assert that God is known in Christ, as in J o h n xvii. 26. The word name here, as frequently, stands for the nature of God. 1 See, in Cudworth's " I n t e l . Syst.," an admirable discussion of the atheistic positions. Also, Berkeley's " M i n u t e Philosopher." " T h e Divine Analogy," by Bishop Brown, an opponent oí Berkeley, inclines to the position thatTwe must have a revelation in order to gain any knowledge of God.

6

CHRISTIAN

THEOLOGY.

F r o m these p a s s a g e s of Scripture and. f r o m t h e n a t u r e of t h e case t h e following results m a y be o b t a i n e d — (a.) T h e r e is a g r e a t difference b e t w e e n t h e assertion t h a t w e can k n o w God w i t h o u t a revelation of H i m a n d t h a t we can k n o w H i m t h r o u g h t h e i l l u m i n a t i n g influence u p o n t h e soul of t h e Divine Spirit. finite.

T h e finite c a n n o t of itself a t t a i n to t h e in-

If t h e finite a n d t h e infinite w e r e all a n d t h e r e w e r e no

c o m m u n i c a t i o n between them, t h e finite could n o t k n o w t h e infinite.

I t is only as t h e infinite b e i n g reveals himself t h a t t h e

finite can k n o w t h e infinite a t all.

Otherwise the terms are

incommensurable. (b.) It likewise r e s u l t s t h a t God, in his i n t e r i o r c a n n o t be k n o w n or f a t h o m e d b y m a n .

essence,

W e can know t h a t

H e is; w e c a n n o t k n o w f u l l y w h a t H e is.

We

can

t h a t t h e r e m u s t be an infinite Being, t h e source a n d

know ground

of all else; w e can k n o w t h a t H e m u s t be u n l i m i t e d in all h i s attributes, b u t all t h a t is i n c l u d e d in his a t t r i b u t e s w e

can-

n o t c o m p r e h e n d , still less can w e g r a s p t h e essence on w h i c h t h e y are based. (c.) I t results, t h a t God, in h i s m o r a l n a t u r e , c a n n o t

be

fully k n o w n by t h e wicked, bccause t h e y are opposed to H i m , a n d only t h e l o v i n g can k n o w love. (