Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 2 (Nature of man).
My summary
Today Hodge looks at realism, another theory for the nature of man.
Realism defines man as 'the manifestation of the general principle of humanity in union with a given corporeal organization.' This suggests that human souls are not individual essences, but one common essence revealed and acting in many separate organisms.
After outlining the theory, Hodge gives objections to realism:
(i) it is a mere philosophical hypothesis;
(ii) there is no proof in the Bible for the theory;
(iii) the hypothesis derives no support from consciousness;
(iv) the Scriptures teach what is inconsistent with it;
(v) the theory is inconsistent with the Trinity;
(vi) the theory is difficult to reconcile with the doctrine of Christ;
(vii) it is consistent with several doctrines to which it is applied.
To conclude the chapter Hodge refutes an older version of the theory.
What grabbed me
I liked the point about realism's contradiction to our understanding of Christ: 'We speak of it only in its relation to Christ's person. If human nature, as a generic life, a substance of which all men partake, became both guilty and polluted by the apostasy ; and that generic humanity, as distinguished from a newly created and holv rational soul, was assumed by the Son of God, how can we avoid the conclusion that Christ was, in his human nature, personally guilty and sinful ? This is a legitimate consequence of this theory. And this consequence being not only false but blasphemous, the theory itself must be false.'
Any theory that attributes sin to Christ must be totally rejected.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 3 (The origin of the soul).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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