I fully believe that in this matter I do not stand alone. I believe that
this same liberal view of the Atonement is held, consciously or
unconsciously, by the great majority of our ministers and members. If a
spontaneous answer were asked as to whether Christ died for the whole of
mankind or a part only, I feel sure that the general response would be
that he died for all. And I appeal to you, if that is not your most
inner and sacred conviction? In your best moods, when all theological
subtleties are put aside, can you endure the idea of a limited
Atonement? I appeal to all men of a candid, progressive mind, if we are
not really at one here? Then be faithful to that inner light. It is the
light of God.
This doctrine of universal Atonement was endorsed lately by the American
Presbyterian Church. In Article VIII of the "Brief Statement" adopted by
that Church, these words occur: "For us He fulfilled all righteousness,
and satisfied eternal justice, offering Himself a perfect sacrifice upon
the cross to take away the sin of the world." Thus the American Church
has moved unto the broader basis of universal Atonement.
THE SPIRIT OF THE LARGER DOCTRINE.
And not only has that Church formally taken that position, but the
spirit of the larger doctrine has so prevailed in the Church for some
years past, that individual congregations could take the broader basis
without having their soundness in the faith called in question. In a
manual published by the Third Presbyterian Church of Chicago, for
instance, the "Articles of Faith" of that Congregation are set forth
under seven heads. Article III reads thus:--"We believe that Jesus
Christ our Mediator is truly God and truly man, and that by His
sufferings and death on the cross He made Atonement for the sins of the
world; so that the offers of salvation are sincerely made to all men,
and all who repent and believe in Him will be justified and saved." That
exposition of the doctrine entirely accords with my view. It was by mere
accident I saw this manual; it may be presumed that many other
congregations have taken similar ground without challenge.
Not only so, but we have the doctrine of a universal Atonement accepted
and clearly expressed in the statement of doctrine proposed as a basis
of union between the Presbyterian, the Methodist and the Congregational
Churches in Canada, so the orthodox people have cut themselves quite
loose from their ancient moorings. Here is a marvel indeed. Wedded to
the Confession of Faith as the Presbyterian Church has been, at least in
theory, that Confession is now ignored. Surely the truth is advancing.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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