Suppose that there is a
final falling away in this life, and Restoration in the next, is there
not harmony in the highest sense? O yes; in this larger view, there is
both falling from grace, and final perseverance.
* * * * *
In fact there is nothing that would unite the Evangelical Churches so
effectually as a consensus of belief in universal salvation. This may
seem a startling proposition to those who have not given the subject
much attention; but after all, it is but an expansion of the idea that
God's "counsel will stand, and He will do all His pleasure."
I TOOK THE LARGER VIEW.
We are not surprised, therefore, that we have in Scripture such explicit
statements as to the universality of the Atonement. I was brought up in
that church which is identified with the theory of a limited Atonement.
At an early age, however, I took the larger view of the Atonement, and I
hold that view with increasing conviction now. In fact I do not see how
the idea of a limited Atonement ever came to command the assent of
intelligent men, except that it was found to be necessary as a part of
a preconceived system of theology.
* * * * *
Surely it was a great pity that men thought it necessary in bygone years
to make their systems of theology so complete.
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