In this series of papers we shall be investigating all manner of absurdities that have been accepted by believers who seem more disposed to accept words, sentences, and traditions, quite apart from using their own critical faculties, and certainly without due regard to logic. We have found very few writers with the courage to undermine such absurdities, but would mention with pleasure the names of C.S.Lewis, George MacDonald, Francis Schaeffer, and Kathryn Lindskoog in this respect. [Read more…]
Archives for January 2001
2. A closer look at Atonement
Wherever you go, in all the churches, whatever you read in Christian literature, the word “Atonement” keeps appearing. It is supposed to be the definitive term to describe what our Lord and Saviour accomplished for us at Calvary. In this paper it will be necessary to investigate the meaning and derivation of this word. It’s not a dull theological wrangle, but something of vital importance. Please stay with us. [Read more…]
1. What is Restitution?
In this first number of a new series, to replace The Wayside Pulpit, we need to examine the word “Restitution” in the 3rd chapter of Acts, quoted in the Title of this series. The Greek word is Apokatastasis pronounced Apokatastasis, made up from three words APO, KATA, and STASIS. APO means “away from”, KATA means “down”, but is often employed to mean “utterly, completely”, andSTASIS is a noun derived from the verb meaning “to stand”. Putting all these thoughts together produces a word meaning “a complete standing away from,” in other words, a restoration from the present condition to that of its pristine state, a re-instatement of that which has been unlawfully obtained, or a return to normal existence after people/circumstances cause an abnormality. There are many occasions in life when the word “restitution” could be applied, or even hoped for. [Read more…]
110. James Relly & John Murray
18th CENTURY UNIVERSALISM
To complete this collection of essays on Ultimate Reconciliation, I should like to present an historical sketch, based on the lives of these two men, James Relly and John Murray, the former being one of the first preachers of Universalism in England, and the latter (one of Relly’s converts) the founder of Universalism in America. [Read more…]
109. The law of circularity
EXPOSED AS AN ERROR
Here is an extract from a work by Jane Leade, written in 1697, entitled “The Everlasting Gospel Message.” According to her writings, Jane first understood God’s Ultimate Triumph over sin in 1693, and in her last writings before she died in 1704 she frequently addressed this subject. Those who have sought to bring Jane’s writings to us in more readable form (i.e. Larry Hodges and Colleen Drounette) have done a good job on a text that contained strange language forms. Even so, something of the author’s unique style remains. Here then is the text, before any comment is made. [Read more…]