Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12
KNOTTY PROBLEMS
CONFRONT BAPTISTS
SALVATION, ELECTION, ATONE
MENT AND OTHER QUESTIONS
PROVOKE WIDELY DIVER
GENT VIEWS FROM MINISTER'S


He is, why aren't we all going to be
saved?
What is the meaning Of the doctrine Of
election2 Were some of US marked out
from the beginning to be saved and 9TH
ers to be damned7
What does atonement meant In It uni
versal or hmited7
These are some Of the questions that
came I'D in a theological discussion into
which the Baptist ministers plunged
Monday morning at their weekly meet
ing. First the matter OF salvation was
taNkn I'D, what it means, how 1t is at
tanned, whether or not 1t Is limited; next
the matter OF atonement, its definition,
it's range, its cause and effect; and lastly,
election, it's extent, its consistency with
common reason.
After many things had been declared
and many denied. DR.. ". c. Norcross
said:
Too Much for TaIlest Arch-Angel
'The tallest arch-angel in Heaven
could not answer some Of these things.
They are clear only to the divine mind
itself"
It was about the matter Of selection
that the discussion swirled strongest
BUT about each of the three prtncipal
DIR. John E. White threw an flumina-
tion on the subject of election by quot
ing a conversation he had with John u.
Rockefeller while they were whirling
along a street in Cleveland In an auto
mobile last summer, at the time when
DR.. White for several weeks filled the
pulpit of the church at which Mr.. Rookie
Teller worships.
'sI remarked" said DR.. White. that
- f1f ~
ologv In vogue at the University or chi
ca9o. He said that he had never before
met a man who would make such an ad-
mission. and asked me how and why.
"At commencement exercises at the
ntversitv of Chicago" told him, Il once
related the story Of the Georgia negro
and his explanation of election. He was
iobingly asked what this election means
and ne answered: well, you see' the
Lord and the devil are always votlne,
one for YOUR salvation and one for your
damnation, and whichever way you
votes Won gets elected accordingly"
srrbe chairman at the exercises re-
n,,ed that this explanation should thence
forth be embodied in the theology OF the
University of Chicago
"Mr. Rockefeller requested gentleman
with us to make a note Of the story.
Question of Salvation
Dr Purser began the discussion by a
D.yar on the matter OF salvation. He
Went into IT carefully First defining it,
and then dwelling on how salvation can
be attained. He took up the source OF
salvation.
'aThere are three divine personalities
existing In one" he said. "and each has
a special part to play In the salvation
of a soul. First and occupying the most
prominent position, Is the Father; second,
and occupying a slightly lower position,
is the Son; and third and occupying the
lowest position of the three, is the Spirit
1.-THE son breaks down the obstacles to
salvation, the Spirit offers the animus
to the mind Of the sinner, and the Father
receives him after salvation"
He said that Christ in becoming man,
by reason of His divine personality, re-
manned divine though he became truly
man. He said that the reason for the
atonement was this:
THE Father yearned for the world but
there was no man to intercede for II, so
he sent his SON.
He said that the atonement of Christ
was sufficient for the salvation Of all the
world.
ut placed the world in a savable
state"
salvation is offered to the whole hui
man family. God loved and loves an
men. He promises salvation to all
men,"
He explained that it was through the
dignity of Christ that effect Of the atone
ment comes.
over the statement that there is a pre-
disposition of the Holy Spirit towards the
salvation OF all souls, discussion became
strong.
Why Not All?
IF this is true" asked Rev. NJ. L.
Carswell, why won't every one be saved?
If God is striving for the salvation
of every mans soul, what stands In the
way of their salvation?'
The discussion conferred itself between
him and Rev. c. ]. Thompson. He said:
'"The predisposition Of the Holy Spirit
is towards our salvation, but there must
be faith and belief on the part Of the
world"
over the matter of atonement there
was a wide difference.
DR.. ]. D. Hillyer said:
1.-The atonement is not universal in its
effect The meaning of it is totally mis-
understood. 1t is synonymous with re-
Cancellation. 1t applies only to those who
are reconciled to God. II it applied alike
to all, all would be saved"
'I say that atonement and reconcilia-
ton mean the same thing" he declared.
II say they don't" said DR.. Thomp-
son.
Goods Difficulty
Then came up the matter of election.
DIR. A. T. Spalding said:
when / was a student of theology, l
asked my professor how, II the theory OF
election is true, that some are picked out
to be saved and some to be damned, how
1 could get up and hold forth salvation
to a promiscuous congregation.
He said: Don't try to get God out Of
a difficulty
And had the impudence to reply, IF |
1 put Him in ditch, shan't try to get
him out?'
DR. V. c. Norcross said:
Il cannot conceive or God who did |
not know from the beginning all that |
would happen, even to how the crops and |
our daily business would turn out. If
my child falls sick, it was known from
the outset Of things whether or not it |
will get weh"
The matter Of instantaneous salvation |
was taken up. DR.. W. H. Bell said:
II dc not believe that Jesus Christ |
could have saved JERUSALEM in an hour.
4 do not believe God could save the
world in a day. I 60 believe that He is /
working at this matter of salvation as
fast as He can.
Dr PurSer said: