Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 8 (Sin).
My summary
This week Hodge finishes discussing the Protestant doctrine of original sin.
Firstly he affirms that the seat of original sin is the whole soul, not simply the body, the sensuous nature or the heart.
Then Hodge teaches us about the inability of fallen man in his natural state to do anything good. Hodge proceeds to:
(i) state the doctrine as presented in the symbols of the Protestant churches;
(ii) explain the nature of the inability under which the sinner is said to labour;
(iii) exhibit the Scriptural proofs of the doctrine;
(iv) answer the objections usually urged against it.
What grabbed me
I liked the first proof given for man's inability to do anything good: 'The first and most obvious argument in support of the Augustinian or Orthodox argument on this subject is the negative one. That is, the fact that the Scriptures nowhere attribute to fallen men ability to change their own hearts or to turn themselves unto God. As their salvation depends on their regeneration, if that work was within the compass of their own powers, it is incredible that the Bible should never rest the obligation of effecting it upon the sinner's ability. If he had the power to regenerate himself, we should expect to find the Scriptures affirming his possession of this ability, and calling upon him to exercise it. It may indeed be said that the very command to repent and believe implies the possession of everything that is requisite to obedience to the command. It does imply that those to whom it is addressed are rational creatures, capable of moral obligation, and that they are free moral agents. It implies nothing more. The command is nothing more than the authoritative declaration of what is obligatory upon those to whom it is addressed. We are required to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. The obligation is imperative and constant. Yet no sane man can assert his own ability to make himself thus perfect. Notwithstanding therefore the repeated commands given in the Bible to sinners to love God with all the heart, to repent and believe the gospel, and live without sin, it remains true that the Scriptures nowhere assert or recognize the ability of fallen man to fulfil these requisitions of duty.'
The fact that we are given commands does not mean we have the ability to obey commands.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 9 (Free agency) by reading up to the heading '3. Certainty consistent with liberty'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment