The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-08-22
The Design or Extent of the AtOnemont


In a former article | demonstrated our
agreement with the Mother Church on the
nature Of the atonement, and our disagree
ment with the moral-inAuence theory of
Young Bushnell, and others; also witt the
governmental theory of Taylor, Fiske,
Barnes, and others also with that Of Ar
minians. now propose to reverse the pic
ture, and show wherein we differ from what
is termed the O. s Presbyterian Church,
and agree with other CaIyinistic branches Of
the Reformed Church, respecting the design
Of the atOnement.
If have rightly comprehended the sys
tenn Of doctrines taught in the Confession of
Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, while in some points we are in har-
mony with the last named bodies yet we
differ materially on other points with all of
them, and especially in one aspect Of that
now before US, with probably single ex-
ception, that of the Lutherans / am aware
that it is sometimes said by our speakers
and writers, that we agree with Armlnlans,
and differ from Caivinists, Oh this subject
whereas we really have bat one view of this
subject in common with Arminians, namely,
its uniyersality, and approximate more
closely some Of the Reformed Churches
This misconception arises, partly, from a
want Of precision in the use Of theological
terms, and partly from the failure to study
closely, and sharply define the peculiar
status of our Church. We truly a pc
cuHar people"
In the Westminster Confession, and also
the atonement, but it is embraced under the
head of DEGREES - it will therefore be
necessary to transcribo a large portion Of
thOse chapters to place In striking contrast
the teachings Of the respective Churches on
the design Of the atOnement; :" and while
our fathers did well in emitting much OF the
old book, and acted wisely in the changes
made, it is ne judice to be regretted that
they did not aid an explicit and full chapter
on the atOnement.
Let me premise, before quoting from the
Westminster Confession, that the word re.
demption is used in that book as SYNONYMOUS
with atonement. Dr. Hodge, Theological
Professor Of Princeton (and, from his high
position, Of high authority says, on pages
Al, 40, Of his work on atonement, Ia the
Westminster Confession, let it be Temem-
bered, the word redemption is used Ia the
sense Of atonement, or the sacrifcial pur-
chase Of salvation for those for whom it was
intended (the elect) He, however, ac-
knowledges that the biblical usage is very
different
Chap Ill, Sec 8. By the decree Of God,
for the manifestation of his glory, some men
and angels are predestinated unto everlast-
ing life, and others Jore0rdaiHed to eyerlast-
ing death"
Sec 4. These angels and men, thus pre-
destinated and foreordained are particularly
and unchangeablY designed, and their mum
Der is so certain and definite that it cannot
be either increased or diminished.
In Section 5 it is most unequivocally aE
tirned that these DEGREES are not pTedicated
upon any quality or act foreseen IN the crea-
ture, but according to his eternal and i'm
mutable purpose, and the secret counsel and
good pleasure of his will, without
any foresight of faith or good works. or per
severance in either Of them"
Section g provides the certain and ire
sisiible means for the salvation Of the elect
without which they cannot possibly be saved
and the Withholding Of which from the non.
elect, secures inevitably their damnation,
to the praise of has glorious justice
AS God hath appointed tie elect unto
glory, so hath he, by the eternal and Iaost
free purpose of his aCiH, foreOrda ned .
the means thereunJo" And as a uee0sse Try
absolute, and unavoidable consequence Of
this decree, and the Generalization of these
means, the section continues: Where
fore, they who are elected, being fallen in
Adam are redeemed (atOne for-that Is,
CHRIST died for them) by Christ, are efiec-
tuallY called unto faith in Christ, etc.
" Neither are any other redeemed (nO atone
ment, no sacrifice Of Christ for them) by
Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted,
sanetifed, and saved, but the elect only"
Section Z so full Of horrors, provides for
the damnatiOn of the nOn-elect by the same
sovereign decree. 1.-The rest of mankind
God was pleased, for the gt0ly
of his sovereign pO1OeT over his creatures to
pass by and to ordaiR them to dishonor and
wrath.
Chap ", Sec. l, provides the Inaugural
ton Of the foreordained and irresistible
means All those whom God hath predes-
tinated unto life, and those only he is pleas
ed, in his appointed and accepted time, eiiec-
tually to call, etc.
Section 2 declares that this efIectual call
is Of free and special grace alone, not from
any thing at all foreseen in man, who is al
together passive therein, until, being quick
ened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is
thereby enabled to 0Bstcer this call, and to
embrace the grace offered and conveyed in
it"
The analysis of the above is briefly
I. God determined to save some of Adam s
fallen race, as undeserving and guilty as
those "passed by" this he decreed, not that
he foresaw they would love and serve him,
or believe in the name of the Only Begotten,
but of his own sovereign and good pleasure.
q He, through special .fauoT to these child
rem of wrath, these sin-polluted, hell-beslimed
rebels, he efTectually calls them to glory
but to insure favorable response, he makes
them altogether passiye-that IS, man Is to
do notbinr-only wait for Gods appointed
and accepted time, for God, as great king,
to "ouicken and renew them, or regene-
rate them by the Holy Spirit, and then they
are sure to answer the call aliirmatively, and
embrace the grace (of which they are already
Dossessed in the regeneration of their souls)
conveyed in the call, &c Credat Jud@uS opel
Ia. non ego
Section provides for the salvation of elect
infants diving in infancy, but says nothing