The Atonement: The Congregational Union Lecture for 1875
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
R.W. Dale begins his study of the atonement by distinguishing the death of Christ as a fact and the doctrine or theory concerning it. An important distinction, for it is not the doctrine of the death of Christ that atones for human sin, but the death itself. Dale’s object in these lectures is “to show that there is a direct relation between the death of Christ and the remission of sins, and to investigate the principles and grounds of that relation; first, to establish a fact, and then to attempt the construction of a theory.” Dale examines the Passion of Christ, Christ’s words regarding the atonement, the apostolic testimony to the atonement, and several conflicting theories about it.
Be sure to check out Classic Studies on the Atonement (32 vols.).
- Distinguishes the death of Christ as a fact of history from theories concerning the Atonement
- Argues that there is no direct relationship between the death of Christ and the forgiveness of sins
- Exegetes relevant Scripture passages dealing with the Atonement
- Refutes conflicting theories of the Atonement
R.W. Dale (1829–1895) was educated at Springs Hill College, University of London, University of Glasgow, and Yale University. Dale primarily pastored Carr’s Lane Chapel from 1854 to 1895, and he later went on to become chair of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.