The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-04

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Which. however, is greater than these
anu all other theories. He aims hard
Vows at the claims of those who hold
m MAI any one theory is exclusive true.
Inc moral influence theory receives as
thorough drubbing as ever was given
an antagonist in a theological debate
The idea of Precipitation" receives an
entirely new Interpretation. The
atohement does not reconcile God to
the world, he says. Atonement begins
with the love of God.
A peculiarly fine passage, showing
!Le strong interpretive quality of the
discussion Is this-"There was a substi-
tuition on Calvary. But it was not the
SUBSTITUTION of a sinless Christ for sim
iuI race. 1t was the substitution of
humanity plus Christ for humanity
minus Christ. He bore our sins
not apart from us, but with US"
| Of course this is not new. Students
OF Campbelrs Mature of the Atone
ment will recognize this line of think
ing, but it is new from Presbyterian.
One of the Inconsistencies of modern
evangelism is the fact that while it
holds tenaciously to propitiatory the
DRY of Christ sacrifice, when 1t is not
talking theology, it breaches all the
theories. In 1886 I heard Principal
Rainey Of the Free church college lee
ture in Marlborough on 1.-THE atone
ment He claimed that all the theo-
ries were necessary to explain the fact.
The following Sunday l heard Mr..
Spurgeon in London. He was preach
Ing the gospel, and used every one of
the dominant ideas of atonement, in
Guiding the heretical moral influence"
theory.
DR.. Van Dyke has done more than
this in his 3vowedly broader concep-
ton. He has reinterpreted the old the
cries and added others from unques-
tionable biblical sources.
THE Gospel for World of Sim has
not a line of fictitious or mechanical
theology in it. 1t might be called the
vital theology; the vital theory of the
atonement. 1t forever releases the
atonement from the charge of the in
Justice of the punishment of a sinless
Tor guilty person.
A brief review can scarcely do credit
to the maSterful discussion. 1t is a fine
example of how profound theological
problems may be dealt with. 1t is fresh
with poetical and vigorous intellectual
experience. 1t is a rebuke to the dull
and insipid reiterations of theological
phrases, which one so often hears from
preacher and layman; phrases which
mean next to nothing in this age, how
ever significant they were when in
vented. For those whose sceptiCism has
arisen in the incongruities of Christian
theology Ga widespread scepticism in
deed) rather than in the problems of
the existence and nature of God, this
book is still the gospel for an age of
doubt
As a corrective of narrow denomina-
tional views of the atonement, there
has been nothing written to COMPARE
with it. Christianity needs a philoso-
ply of comprehension; a philosophy
which includes various theories, rather
than bases itself on some one theory.
Most men are given to differentiation
and contrast; they advocate a narrow,
exclusive ideal They are keen analysts.
They know how to contrast; but few
of them know how to generalize and
construct various ideas into a vital
whole. Christianity has suffered from
this Denominations are builded on It.
It is easier to build a new body around
a new idea than to build the new idea
into an old body. A church compre-
hends: a sect differentiates every va
riety of faith and experience.
In DR.. Van Dykes book we have
a comprehendinG philosophy of the
atonement, fit to be the doctrine of the
whole church of Jesus Christ. This is
the kind of new theology which Is most
needed; but it is the kind which re-
ouires wide intellectual comprehension
and not many theologians have it.
"The Gospel for World of Sin" is
a book for minister and layman alike.
There is nothing technical in it; moth
ing which the unprofessional may not
read with perfect ease. 1t will win
n rNpOfOnnd thn11pb sim
pie, thought on the great themes of
Christianity. No one can afford to
miss this lucid and brilliant treatment
Of the central doctrine of Christianity.
1t is a new inspiration of theology from
the pen of prophet.
But Dr. Van Dyke has not written
the full gospel yet. Lying underneath
the age of doubt, and deeply affected by
the reign of sin, is an inefficient social
organism: a society which does not
reach Christ's ideal; and, though pro-
Tossing, does not practice Christs prin-
ciples of conduct. This imperfect social
organization is the mother of many a
brood Of doubts, the instigatOr of many
a scepticism of Christianity, and the
fruitful source of many a sin. Social sin
is as real as personal sin, Economic in
Justice is as pernicious as civil and
political injustice; as ugly and as evil
as personal injustice. There is more of
the gospel of Christ yet. What the
socialist breaches is also a part OF
Christ's gospel. Indeed, Jesus was more
concerned $50 far as the gospel writer's
reveal his interests) with the kingdom
of God than with the redemption of the
individual. The goal of Christianity is
and must be a truly redeemed and
Christian society. For such a salvation
Jesus also made atonement. Many Will
hone to see from this vigorous mind
and manly heart another book with the
message of Christ to society; anotner
gospel of Christ's, the gospel Ior al
era of social problems"