Iii The Divine Permission Of Sin
The presence of sin in the universe is due to the fact that God permits it. It must serve some justifiable purpose attainable in no other way else God would not have permitted it, or, having permitted it, He would now terminate it without delay. The divine purpose relative to sin has not been revealed, and, doubtless, the human mind could not comprehend all that is involved. Devout souls will continue to believe that, though no manifestation of sin is possible outside the permissive will of...
Chapter XVIII PERSONAL SIN
By the term personal sin is indicated that form of sin which originates with, or is committed by, a person. The designation includes the sins of angels as well as human beings. Under this division of the whole doctrine, that aspect of sin is contemplated which, because of human consciousness and experience, seems to men to be the one and only ground of divine condemnation of humanity. It is too often assumed that if personal sin is forgiven there is nothing more to be desired, whereas it is...
I The Divine Program Of The Ages
While some phases of the divine program of the ages belong properly to Eschatology, and these will be noticed later under that heading, the subject exceeds the boundaries of Eschatology, and being, as it is, so vast, must be recognized as fundamental to the right understanding of the works of God in relation to this world. The dispensational study of the Bible consists in the identification of certain well-defined time-periods which are divinely indicated, together with the revealed purpose of...
Preface
which every student should read with care Systematic Theology, the greatest of the sciences, has fallen upon evil days. Between the rejection and ridicule of it by the so-called progressives and the neglect and abridgment of it by the orthodox, it, as a potent influence, is approaching the point of extinction. It is a significant fact that of the upwards of two score accredited and notable works on Systematic Theology which have been produced in this and other countries, an exceedingly small...
Chapter XVII INTRODUCTION TO HAMARTIOLOGY
There is a justification for the fact that the two great doctrines sin and redemption go hand in hand. It is sin that has drawn out redemption from the heart of God, and redemption is the only cure for sin. These two realities, in turn, become measurements of each other. Where sin is minimized, redemption is automatically impoverished since its necessity is by so much decreased. The worthy approach to the doctrine of sin is to discover all that is revealed about the sinfulness of sin and then...
Xi The Progressive Discipline Of The Angels
The Scriptures disclose the truth that the angels are learning much from their observations of men on earth especially in the outworking of redemption. Incidentally, this indicates that the angels are not omniscient. However, it should not be concluded that the angels know less than men. What, indeed, would be the field of discovery and interest to men were it given to them to see all that transpires in angelic spheres Peter's declaration, which things the angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1 12...
I The Essential Nature Of Sin
The holy character of God is the final and only standard by which moral values may be accurately judged. To the one who disregards God, there are no moral standards other than social custom, or the dictates of an uncertain and perverted conscience. And even these, it will be observed, though indirect, failing, and feeble, are, nevertheless, reflections of the standards of God. Sin is sinful because it is unlike God. The Larger Catechism Westminster declares Sin is any want of conformity unto,...
Vi The Divine Remedy For Personal Sin
In a previous discussion the specific character of personal sin has been presented, and it was there pointed out that personal sin of whatever form is only the legitimate fruitage of the sin nature. However, the divine cure for personal sin, it should be observed, is of a wholly different character than the divine cure for the sin nature. Being by birth a partaker of the sin nature, there is no personal guilt charged against the individual because of that nature, though there is condemnation on...
I The Origin Of Sin
The familiar classification among theologians of the theories respecting the origin of sin includes the following a that of necessity, b that of the Manichaean philosophy of duality, c that God is the Author of sin, and d that sin arises from the abuse of moral freedom. The theory of necessity proposes that sin is something over which God has no authority, and is without foundation. The Manichaean doctrine advanced by Mani who was born about 215 a.d. is that there are two deities, one good and...
V The Twofold Effect Of The Christians Sin
In its effect, the Christian's sin reaches into two spheres, namely, a himself and b God. There could be no question about the relative importance of these two results of the Christian's sin. That which is so evidently of least import will be considered first. 1. The Effect of the Christian's Sin Upon Himself. Though including in its realities all that is experiential, this phase of the doctrine of the Christian's sin is secondary, indeed, to the crucial and all-determining aspects of the...
The Material Part Of Man At Creation
Having given some consideration to the controversy between the two systems which essay to solve the problem of human origin, this work proceeds on the assured ground that man came from the hand of his Creator in precisely the manner that is set forth in the infallible Oracles of Truth. There is therefore another consideration to be attended, namely, man's estate at creation. Here no complications arise other than the right understanding of the Sacred Text. The evolutionary theory is unable to...
V Typology
Dr. Patrick Fairbairn begins his valuable treatise on the types with the following statement The Typology of Scripture has been one of the most neglected departments of theological science. This declaration is significant not only for the recognition of an inestimable loss to the Church of Christ, but for the fact that typology is, by this worthy theologian, given a rightful place in the science of Systematic Theology. Dr. Fairbairn does not assert that no attention has been given to typology...
Viii Guilt
The New Standard Dictionary 1913 ed. defines guilt as the state of one who has consciously disobeyed God and is therefore under the divine condemnation. From the theological point of view, this definition is defective. Sin is not a matter of consciousness of evil. Being, as it is, against God, and drawing its evil character from the fact that it is unlike God, sin is evil whether the sinner realizes it to be such or not. A distinction thus arises between blameworthiness, which must be tempered...
I The Scope Of The Doctrine Of Imputation
The scope of the doctrine of imputation controversy centers upon the one most theological context in the Bible Romans 5 12-21. This context is, in the main, an elucidation of the primary declaration set forth in verse 12. It therefore follows that any interpretation of verse 12 which is not harmoniously unfolded in verses 13 to 21 is proved by so much to be wrong. The worthy student of theology will spend much time on this portion of the Scriptures. It will not do to accept merely the findings...
Part Of Man 1
In turning from the consideration of the elements which comprise the immaterial part of man to the capacities and faculties, attention is removed from the general theme of what the immaterial part of man is, to what the immaterial part of man does. Much vital truth may be drawn from the Bible bearing on the activities of the immaterial part of man. The philosophy of Kant which classifies these activities into intellect, sensibility, and will is usually accepted as a working basis for thought....
Chapter XIX THE TRANSMITTED SIN NATURE
As every effect must have its cause, there is a cause or reason for the fact that personal sin is universal. That cause is the sin nature sometimes styled the Adamic nature, inborn sin, original sin, or the old man. By whatever term it is indicated, the reference is to a reality which originated with Adam and has been transmitted from Adam to all his race. The effect of the first sin upon unfallen Adam was a degeneration a conversion downwards. As an immediate result of that first sin, Adam...
Ii The Divine Image
Having thus noted the incomparable origin of the immaterial part of the first man, it is now pertinent to inquire what is declared when the Scriptures state that man was made in the image and likeness of God. These words are not only accurate representations of facts, but they convey all that language may impart about that which is paramount and supreme in the range of human understanding. No divine creation or production could be inaugurated on a higher plane than that the thing thus formed...
Ii The Responsibility Of The First Man
With respect to his manner of life, the obligation resting on the first man aside from the task of dressing and keeping the garden is the norm or pattern for all human life on the earth. During that undetermined period in which Adam lived before the fall, that ideal was realized to the fullest satisfaction of his Creator. That responsibility is easily stated in the words, he did the will of God. Evidence is not wanting to prove that in unbroken fellowship with God Adam received daily counsel...
Iv The Tempter Of The First Man
Of this being identified as Satan much has been written under Angelology about his person and the temptation he imposed, and more will be introduced at a later time under hamartiology. It is to be recognized that the tempter is not identified in the Genesis account, which reads Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden Gen. 3 1 . It is not until the writing...
V The Temptation Of The First Man
The chronicle of the temptation is in like manner presented in the simplest of terms. It is written Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch...
Part Of Man
Attention has been given to the truth relative to the origin of the immaterial part of the first man, it being revealed that he became a living soul by the divine inbreathing of lives lit., plural . The problem which now arises is concerned with generation or perpetuation of human life. The divine plan for humanity is that two original beings male and female should be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth Gen. 1 28 . It is thus indicated that to Adam and Eve, as to their posterity,...
The Immaterial Part Of Man At Creation I The Origin Of The Immaterial Part Of
Having given some consideration to the doctrine of the material part of man and recognizing that the most important revelation concerning man as created is declared in the words which state that man is made in the image and likeness of God and that this resemblance is featured in the immaterial and not the material part of man, it is now in order to investigate the truth God has disclosed regarding the immaterial part of man. On his material side, man is said to be the direct and immediate...
Chapter XI INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology the science of man is approached from two widely different angles, namely, that of human philosophy and that of the Bible. The former is extra-Biblical and avoids every feature of Scripture revelation. The latter is intra-Biblical and confines itself to the Word of God and such corroborating human experience as may give confirming witness to the truth disclosed. The one is conceived by man and, reflecting his philosophy of human life, is offered as educational discipline in secular...
Chapter VII SATANOLOGY THE SATANIC COSMOS
The present division of satanology is a theme of vast proportions incomprehensible, unrecognized, and unidentified. To an extent which seems to have no parallel in the Bible, this great body of truth is represented by one word, which word ku972 au956 ou962 'cosmos' is found in the New Testament 187 times and is translated in every instance, but one, by the English word world. No moment need be given to the closely related fact that the English word world is also a translation of two other Greek...
I Satans Authority Over The Cosmos
Startling and almost incredible statements are made in the New Testament relative to Satan's rights and control over the cosmos. This disclosure is foreign to the popular mind. Even the believer who is amenable to the Scriptures finds himself confronted with statements which seem impossible, were they not written down by the hand of God. It may be assumed that Satan will do all in his power to avoid a worthy understanding of these stupendous truths on the part of any human being. Certain major...
Chapter IX SATANOLOGY SATANS METHOD
At the Beginning of this division of satanology it should be restated with emphasis that Satan's dominant purpose is not, as the popular impression supposes, one of attempting to be unlike God. Satan has explicitly asserted concerning himself, as recorded in Isaiah 14 14, that his transcendent objective is to be like the Most High. In a previous phase of this discussion Satan's design has been traced through history and prophecy and the conclusion of this record is that there can be no...
V General Terms And Classifications
Concerning the precise meaning of terms which belong to the doctrine of sin, the student of theology would do well to be informed. The term sin is peculiar and restricted in its application. On this point Dr. A. M. Fairbairn remarks 'Sin' is a religious term, intelligible only in the realm of religious experience and thought. 'Evil' is a philosophical term, and denotes every condition, circumstance, or act that in any manner or degree interferes with complete perfection or happiness of being,...
Vii Original Sin
The term original sin carries with it at least two implications, namely, 1 the first sin of the race and 2 the state of man in all subsequent generations, which state is due to that original sin. The latter meaning of this term is assigned an entire section of the present main division of this discussion. The former meaning of the term is the one reason for the introduction of this topic under personal sin for the first sin of Adam, which wrought his ruin and that of the race, was a personal...
X The Ministry Of The Angels
The 273 references in the Bible to the angels are largely accounts of their activities, and by these a very wide field of achievement is disclosed. However, that which is most important is not their relation to the inhabitants of earth, but rather their service to God. This is primarily a service of worship and suggests the ineffable majesty and glory of God, which unfallen angels understand, and which, because of the infinity of the worthiness of God, continues without ceasing forever. John...
Iv Elements Which Comprise The Immaterial Part Of Man
The mystery of life is baffling and never more so than when an analysis of the immaterial part of man is undertaken. The whole reality of being is largely due to that in a living person which actuates the body, which sustains a conscious relation to all things, and without which the body is not only dead, but immediately subject to decay but as long as that reality remains in the body, life continues, the body is preserved, and its structure renewed. It is that which thinks, which feels, which...