Required reading
Dogmatic Theology Vol 3 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or here) - Commence 'Soteriology' by reading up to the paragraph commencing: 'Vol. II., p.486. Augustine distinguishes the common from the effectual call in the following passage...'.
My summary
Today we begin Shedd's notes on soteriology.
We learn about:
(i) Christ divesting himself of the mediatorial commission;
(ii) vicarious suffering;
(iii) forgiveness being the non-infliction of penalty upon the transgressor;
(iv) the punishment for suicide;
(v) punishment compared with chastisement;
(vi) the impossibility of man's meriting heaven;
(vii) expiation;
(viii) the Arminian view of atonement;
(ix) common grace.
What grabbed me
I love this quote from Owen: 'Owen (Person of Christ, chap. 19) says on his subject: “For the discharge of this mediatorial work Christ has a sovereign power over all things in heaven and earth committed unto him. Herein he does and must reign. And so absolutely is it vested in him that upon the ceasing of the exercise of it he himself is said to be subject unto God. It is true that the Lord Christ, in his human nature, is always less than or inferior to God, even the Father. In this sense he is in subjection unto him now in heaven. But yet he has an actual exercise [as mediator] of divine power, wherein he is absolute and supreme. When this [mediatorial and redeeming power] ceases he shall be subject unto the Father in that [human] nature, and only so. Wherefore when this work [of mediation between God and sinners] is perfectly fulfilled and ended, then shall all the mediatory actings of Christ cease forevermore. For God will then have completely finished the whole design of his wisdom and grace [in redemption]. Then will God ‘be all in all."'
Wow! The humility of Christ! The glory of Christ! The glory of God!
Next week's reading
Continue 'Soteriology' by reading up to the paragraph commencing: 'Vol. II., p.550. Concerning the reward promised to works in the instance of the believer..'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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