The first is accepted nominally by all; but how the first can be
intelligently received, with a supposed limitation of the second, is
hard to see. It is admitted that on the part of God there is universal
love for all his creatures; it is admitted that this love expressed
itself in Atonement. It is further admitted that this Atonement is as
suitable for all as it is for a part of the race. Yet for ages it has
been claimed that the Atonement is not divinely intended for all. How
universal love, united with infinite power and infinite wisdom could act
in this way is to me an everlasting mystery. So absurd does this
position now appear, that a majority of the churches idea--perhaps
unconsciously--with a decision and force not warranted by the original.
Therefore I think I am justified in laying no great stress on passages
of such doubtful meaning. It seems to me more honest and candid to wait
for greater unanimity.
On the other hand, the passages that I have cited in favor of
Restoration are in most cases so plain that they can hardly even be
tortured into giving an uncertain sound. Take for instance, the passage
in relation to the extent of the Atonement. "He is the propitiation for
our sins, and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole
world." "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God should taste death
for every man." "The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
There is no uncertain sound there.
To me it is a marvel how men could accept and defend the doctrine of a
limited Atonement, in the face of such clear statements. If such a
course was taken in order to uphold a certain system of theology, it
ought to be an everlasting warning to theologians not to make their
systems of theology too complete. When we come to realize how little we
know of God's plans and purposes, we shall see that completeness is
entirely beyond us.
Then with such clear statements of a universal Atonement as I have
quoted, take that dictum to which I formerly referred, and which I think
none will dispute, that "God infallibly accomplishes everything at which
he aims." Put the two things together, and what do they amount to? Do
they not give us a certainty of Restoration? For if God gave His Son in
order to make provision for all mankind, He surely desires the salvation
of all mankind; and if God thus "aims" at the salvation of all, will He
not accomplish it? If we had no hints whatever as to how that is done,
either in this life or the next, we might rest on the assurance; it will
infallibly be accomplished.
And then we have such a revelation of the character of God that we could
expect no less. He is infinite Wisdom; He is infinite Power; and He is
infinite Love. Put those three things together, and what will they not
accomplish? Think the matter over for awhile. Can you imagine any
consummation less than the final salvation of all?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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