Page:A Defence of Revealed Religion.pdf/20

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
20
THE FALL AND ATONEMENT.

Voysey, "That the commonly received doctrines of intercession and mediation by Christ, and atonement or reconciliation by the death of Christ, are all opposed to the perfect harmony and simplicity of the love of God, and to the teaching of Jesus Christ." Thus, in so far as Mr. Voysey's opinions negative the ideas contained in the popular doctrines of the Fall and Atonement, we heartily agree with him. The Scriptures do not teach us any views so degrading to our heavenly Father; and if the Voysey Case only leads men to examine the foundation of old beliefs, it will not be without its use. Men are no longer to be satisfied with the mere traditional beliefs of bygone days. A spirit of inquiry is abroad in the world, investigating everywhere—often with little reverence for the opinions of the past. The beliefs that are founded upon truth have nothing to fear from this scrutiny—the more clearly they are seen the more heartily they can be understood. Men will no longer be impeded in their search after truth by the cry of mystery—wherever a mystery is presented to them they endeavour to find its key. We hail these phenomena as signs of a healthy progress—they indicate the approach of a time when merely traditional dogmas shall be swept away, and prejudice shall be no more permitted to stifle truth. They bespeak a greater earnestness, and a stronger thirst for a more close acquaintance with the teachings of the great Creator. It may seem at present as if the spirit of inquiry had raised up a species of