Redemption accomplished and applied - Murray - I - Chapter 1

Today we do something new.  We will take a break from reading Spiritual Depression by Lloyd-Jones and read a chapter from Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray.  This work is being read over at http://www.challies.com/ at the pace of a chapter a week and I thought it would be a good idea for us to take part - after all, the reading challenge that Challies makes on a regular basis is actually what led to the beginning of the Reformed Bookclub.  So after Tim Challies makes a post over there (usually on Friday in Australian time), the next post at the book club will be on the same chapter.  Rather than make comments here, I encourage readers at the book club to go to Tim's site and make comments there.

Required reading

Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray (available from Amazon) - Read Chapter 1. 

My notes and thoughts
Murray begins by tackling the question of the necessity of the atonement.  Two views are possible: 'hypothetical necessity' and 'consequent absolute necessity'.  

Hypothetical necessity 'maintains that God could have forgiven sin and saved his elect without atonement or satisfaction - other means were open to God to whom all things are possible.'  I like how Murray quickly dismisses this last clause, that (contrary to what Sunday School teachers say) some things are impossible for God. 

Whereas consequent absolute necessity maintains that 'while it was not inherently necessary for God to save, yet, since salvation had been purposed, it was necessary to secure this salvation through a satisfaction that could be rendered only through substitutionary sacrifice and blood-bought redemption.' 

Murray then provides reasons why 'consequent absolute necessity' is right.  The main reasons being the 'intrinsic gravity of sin' against the holiness of God which then leads to the necessity of Christ being the only one to offer the sacrifice. 

I liked how Murray opened and concluded the chapter discussing the love of God.  His finish was great: 'If we keep in view the gravity of sin and exigencies arising from the holiness of God which must be met in salvation from it, then the doctrine of indispensable necessity makes Calvary intelligible to us and enhances the incomprehensible marvel of both Calvary itself and the sovereign purpose of love which Calvary fulfilled.  The more we emphasize the inflexible demands of justice and holiness  the more marvellous become the love of God and its provisions.'  

Do you want to quickly devalue the love of God?  Minimise his justice, his holiness and your sin! 

Now it's your turn

Go over to http://www.challies.com/ and post your thoughts.