The Theological Position of Brethrenism
Now that we have reached the full development of Brethrenism as an ecclesiastical system, a brief account may conveniently be given of its theological position. The teaching of the Brethren with regard to unfulfilled prophecy and to various topics connected with the humanity of Christ has been already explained in connexion with the Plymouth controversies. In each case one remark is still called for. In the first place, it is an error to regard vague speculations of a Docetic tendency as constituting an integral part of the ordinary teaching of the Brethren. The non-theological portion of the community would always remain practically unaffected by them. Even in the minds of the leaders such tendencies had probably scarcely any bearing on their spiritual life. To think of the Brethren at large as nourished up upon these miserable questions is to misconceive the whole character of the sect.
With regard, in the second place, to the dispensational and prophetic views of the Brethren, an exactly opposite remark must be made. With very few exceptions (and the exceptions were probably confined to the Open Brethren) they all held the doctrine of the Secret Rapture of the Church; and it would scarcely be possible to exaggerate the extent to which all their ministry and worship, and not less their ordinary life
