Dogmatic Theology Vol 2 - Shedd - IV - 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 '3. Thirdly, the physiological argument favors traducianism.' (found on page 63 of my edition).

My summary

Today we finish Shedd's arguments for traducianism from systematic theology.

Last week we saw that the traducian theory best explains:

(i) the imputation of the first sin of Adam to all his posterity as a culpable act;

(ii) the transmission of a sinful inclination.

This week we see that the traducian theory best explains:

(iii) the temptation by Satan;

(iv) the universality of sin.

Then Shedd answers the following objections to traducianism:

(i) it conflicts with the intuitive conviction of the human mind that culpability and punishment stand in the relation of cause and effect and hence, like these, are inseparable;

(ii) the separation of punishment from culpability is a characteristic of the Semi-Pelagian and Arminian anthropology, and when adopted introduces a Semi-Pelagian and Arminian tendency into Augustinianism and Calvinism.

What grabbed me

Most of the reading today pointed out the radical difference between Christ's suffering and Adam's suffering for sin.

I liked this point particularly: 'But St. Paul nowhere teaches the same thing respecting sin. He never says that sin may be put to a man's account either deservedly or undeservedly; either when he has sinned or when he has not sinned. His doctrine is that of Scripture uniformly, that sin is always imputed to man and angel kata opheilema; never dorean, never choris ergon, never undeservedly and gratuitously.  The punishment of man's disobedience he denominates "wages," but the reward of his obedience he denominates a *' gift." Rom. 6 : 23. Christ's obedience, which is the same thing as "the righteousness of God'' (Rom. 1 : 17 ; 9:8), can be a gift to his people ; but Adam's disobedience cannot be a gift to his posterity. Heaven can be bestowed upon the sinner for nothing that he has done ; but hell cannot be. The characteristic of gratuitousness, or absence of inherent desert, can be associated with righteousness, but not with unrighteousness.'

A big difference.  We earn hell. Whereas heaven is a gift.

Next week's reading

Conclude Chapter 1 'Man's creation'.

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