Dogmatic Theology Vol 2 - Shedd - XXIII - Chapter 2 Vicarious atonement continued

Required reading  

Dogmatic Theology Vol 2 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or here) - Continue Chapter 2 'Vicarious atonement' by reading up to the paragraph beginning '3. The third species of suffering is punishment.' (Page 422 of my edition).

My summary  

Today we continue learning about the subject of vicarious atonement.

Firstly we notice its relation to the soul of man, particularly the:

(i) human conscience;

(ii) willingness to suffer personally.

A discussion of suffering follows and we learn about suffering of three kinds:

(i) calamity;

(ii) chastisement;

(iii) penalty (this point will be read next week).

What grabbed me

I liked the explanation of suffering as chastisement: 'Sometimes a small fault in a child may be chastised with a severe infliction, and a great fault with a mild one. The object not being to weigh out penalty in exact proportion to crime, but to discipline and reform the character, the amount of suffering inflicted is measured by this aim and object. A very slight offence, if there is a tendency frequently to repeat it on the part of the child, may require a heavy chastisement, so that the habit may be broken up. And on the other hand, a very grave offence which is exceptional in its nature, and to which there is no habitual tendency on the part of the child, may be best managed with a slight infliction of pain, or even with none at all. A rebuke merely may be better adapted to promote the reformation of the offender. All this is illustrated in God's dealings with his own children. A Christian of uncommon excellence to human view sometimes experiences a great affliction, while one of less devoutness, apparently, is only slightly afflicted, or perhaps not at all. This difference is not caused by the degree of demerit in each instance, but by what the Divine eye sees to be required in each case in order to the best development of character. Now the relation of a believer to God, is like that of the child to the earthly father. Man enters into God's heavenly family by the act of faith in Christ. All the suffering that befalls him in this sphere is therefore of the nature of chastisement, not of punishment or retribution.'

What a relief!

Next week's reading    

Continue Chapter 2 'Vicarious atonement' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Having thus considered the nature of atonement, and the sufferings of the Mediator as constituting it, we proceed to notice some further characteristics of it.' (Page 434)

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.