Atonement and the character of God : a comparative study in the theology of atonement in Jonathan Edwards and John McLeod Campbell
This thesis demonstrates the extent to which one's understanding of the character of God relates to one's view both of the nature and the scope of the atonement. The thesis focuses on the thought of Jonathan Edwards, the premier American philosophical theologian, and John McLeod Campbell, the British theologian best known for his controversial conception of the nature of the atonement. By examining the soteriological thought of these two theologians this study is able to isolate issues significant to current theological dialogue. Edwards develops a theological method in which he is able to stress the distinctiveness of the persons of the trinity in relationship. His concern to maintain the distinctiveness of God's tri-personality is seen in the study over against movements in his culture toward 'Deism' and 'Arminianism'. Edwards' doctrine of God spans a variety of expression, varying from commonality with Federal Calvinism to similarities to the Cappadocian Fathers. While this thesis finds much to value in Edwards' theology, it also finds critical problems in his holding to a doctrine of limited atonement, grounded in the limited scope of God's love, and the accompanying view of double predestination. The
Jinkins, Michael
Campbell, J.M. - theology
Atonement and the character of God : a comparative study in the theology of atonement in Jonathan Edwards and John McLeod Campbell. This thesis demonstrates the extent to which one's understanding of the character of God relates to one's view both of the nature and the scope of the atonement. The thesis focuses on the thought of Jonathan Edwards, the premier American philosophical theologian, and John McLeod Campbell, the British theologian best known for his controversial conception of the nature of the atonement. By examining the soteriological thought of these two theologians this study is able to isolate issues significant to current theological dialogue. Edwards develops a theological method in which he is able to stress the distinctiveness of the persons of the trinity in relationship. His concern to maintain the distinctiveness of God's tri-personality is seen in the study over against movements in his culture toward 'Deism' and 'Arminianism'. Edwards' doctrine of God spans a variety of expression, varying from commonality with Federal Calvinism to similarities to the Cappadocian Fathers. While this thesis finds much to value in Edwards' theology, it also finds critical problems in his holding to a doctrine of limited atonement, grounded in the limited scope of God's love, and the accompanying view of double predestination. The
atonement character god comparative_study theology atonement edwards john campbell demonstrate extent character god relate view nature_scope atonement focus think edwards premier american philosophical theologian john campbell british theologian best_know controversial conception_nature atonement examine soteriological thought theologian study able isolate issue significant current theological dialogue edwards develop theological_method able stress distinctiveness person trinity relationship concern maintain distinctiveness god tri personality see study movement culture toward edwards doctrine_god span variety expression vary commonality federal similarities fathers find much value edwards theology also_find critical problem hold doctrine limited atonement ground limited scope god love accompany view double predestination