Required reading
Christ's doctrine of the atonement by George Smeaton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 2 by reading section VIII to X.
My summary
This week Smeaton continues giving us some presuppositions of the doctrine of the atonement.
Firstly we learn that the incarnation comes into the remedial economy as a means to an end: 'the incarnation was conditioned by sin and not necessary except on the supposition of redemption'.
Secondly we hear that the divine of love of God provided for the atonement, the love of God the Father and the love of God the Son.
Thirdly Smeaton explains the connection of single phrases used to describe the unique position of Jesus in the atonement. The terms include:
(i) way;
(ii) physician;
(iii) bridegroom;
(iv) priest;
(v) life;
(vi) mediator.
What grabbed me
I appreciated Smeaton's response to those who argue that God loves humans: ' It may be urged yet further, that God does not hate mankind. But here, again, we must distinguish. It is the sin He hates and punishes : He loves the creature so far as it is His workmanship ; but He cannot impart the effects and visitations of His love, while the hindrances caused by sin are unremoved. If men will continue to assert that God, without the intervention of any reparation or atonement, can take them into favour, and that He actually does so in the exercise of pure love, they assert what cannot be deduced from the divine perfections, which are ever in full equipoise. They assert, moreover, what is contradicted by all the divine actions, in sending His Son, and " in giving" Him that we should not perish. '
Our sin has so contaminated us that without Christ we cannot be loved of God.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 2 by reading section XI to XII.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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