September 25, 2019

Dogmatic Theology Vol 2 - Shedd - III - Chapter 1 Anthropology continued

Required reading
Dogmatic Theology Vol 2 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 1 'Man's creation' by reading up to the paragraph that begins '(c) The temptation by Satan is best explained by traducianism' (found on page 49 of my edition).


My summary
Today Shedd argues vigorously for traducianism.

Last week he examined the support of Scripture.

This week he begins showing the support of systematic theology.

Firstly we hear that the imputation of the first sin of Adam to all his posterity as a culpable act is best explained and defended upon the traducian basis.

Secondly Shedd explains that the transmission of a sinful inclination is best explained by the traducian theory. In doing so he contrasts the views of elder and later Calvinists, even showing their inconsistencies.

What grabbed me

I did like this explanation of the link to Adam's sin: 'Now if the traducian postulate be tine, namely, that Adam and his posterity were specifically one in the apostasy, all that is said of the individual Adam can be said of his posterity. The posterity committed the first sin prior to its imputation to them, and it was imputed to them as a culpable and damning act of disobedience. And the first sin corrupted the nature of the posterity simultaneously with its commission, and this corruption, like its cause the first sin, was prior to its imputation to them as culpable and damning corruption. There is certainly nothing unjust in imputing the first sin, and the ensuing corruption, to the posterity, on the ground that they were the author of both. There is indeed something inscrutably mysterious in the postulate of specific unity, but not more than there is in the postulate that God creates individual souls each by itself, and brings about corruption of nature in them negatively, by the withdrawment of grace, instead of positively by the first sin of Adam.'

A much easier way to explain original sin.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 1 'Man's creation' by reading up to the paragraph that begins '3. Thirdly, the physiological argument favors traducianism.' (found on page 63 of my edition).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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