Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6 (Priestly office).
My summary
This week Hodge speaks about Christ's priesthood.
Hodge teaches us:
(i) that Jesus is truly, not figuratively, a priest;
(ii) that Jesus is our only priest;
(iii) definitions of key terms (atonement, satisfaction, penalty, vicarious, guilt, redemption, expiation, propitiation).
What grabbed me
I appreciated Hodge's clear teaching on the distinction between expiation and propitiation: 'Expiation and propitiation are correlative terms. The sinner, or his guilt is expiated ; God, or justice, is propitiated. Guilt must, from the nature of God, be visited with punishment, which is the expression of God's disapprobation of sin. Guilt is expiated, in the Scriptural representation, covered, by satisfaction, i. g., by vicarious punishment. God is thereby rendered propitious, i. e., it is now consistent with his nature to pardon and bless the sinner. Propitious and loving are not convertible terms. God is love. He loved us while sinners, and before satisfaction was rendered. Satisfaction or expiation does not awaken love in the divine mind. It only renders it consistent with his justice that God should exercise his love towards transgressors of his law.'
Christ has provided both expiation and propitiation for his people.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 7 (Satisfaction of Christ) by reading up to the heading '6 Proof of the doctrine'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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