The Monstrous View of Substitution

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By a sort of legal fiction, Jesus was treated as what he was not [i.e., a sinner], in order that we might be treated as what we are not [i.e., righteous]. This is the best device, according to the prevailing theology, that the God of truth, the God of mercy – whose glory is that He is just to men by forgiving their sins – could fall upon for saving His creatures! … They say first, God must punish the sinner, for justice requires it; then they say He does not punish the sinner, but punishes a perfectly righteous Man instead, attributes His righteousness to the sinner, and so continues just. Was there ever such a confusion, such an inversion of right and wrong! Justice could not treat a righteous man as an unrighteous; neither, if justice required the punishment of sin, could justice let the sinner go unpunished.

To lay the pain upon the righteous in the name of justice is simply monstrous. No wonder unbelief is rampant. Believe in Moloch if you will, but call him Moloch, not Justice.

George MacDonald (1824–1905)
“Righteousness”
Unspoken Sermons
(Originally published in three series in 1867, 1885, and 1889 in London by Longmans, Green & Co.)

The Flood: Universal and Local

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A strict adherence to the literal wording of chapters 6-8 of Genesis leaves us with little alternative than to view the Flood [of Noah’s day] as universal insofar as mankind was concerned since the human race was reduced to eight souls only, but local insofar as extent is concerned since man was at that time still confined to a comparatively small geographical area.

Arthur C. Custance (1910-1985)
“The Flood: Local or Global?”
The Doorway Papers Series (Volume 9), page 7

Kingdom Gospel vs. Grace Gospel

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Strong objection is offered by Covenant theologians to a distinction between the gospel of the Kingdom as preached by John the Baptist, Jesus and the Disciples, and the Pauline Gospel of the Grace of God. One Covenant theologian states that to make such a distinction is “unfortunate,” and “dangerous.”

He with others contends that the Kingdom Gospel is identical with the Gospel of Divine Grace. Here nevertheless will arise an absurdity which does not deter this type of theologian, namely, that men could preach the Pauline Grace gospel based as it is on the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ when they did not believe Christ would die or be raised again (Luke 18:31-34).

Dr. Louis Sperry Chafer (1871-1952)
Systematic Theology, Volume 7, page 176

Completing the Cycle of the Eras

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The latest revelation given to Paul regarding the “secret of Christ” puts Him at the Head of the heavenly as well as earthly sovereignty, with a view to completing the cycle of the eras (Ephesians 1:10). He will be the Sovereign of all government at God’s appointed time. The title deeds of the whole creation will be vested in Him alone. Paul, as usual, was given a fuller and clearer revelation on this subject than anyone else.

A.E. Knoch (1874-1965)
Unsearchable Riches, Volume 55 (1963)
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Advice to My 20 Year Old Self

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I think what might have been worthwhile to explain to myself at 20 is to recognize that every single person you meet is struggling. I didn’t know that then. You tend to see other people as completely formed individuals. I still do sometimes. But to recognize that everybody you meet – every single one of them, no matter how expensive their suit is, or how serious their expression is – is looking for significance. They are trying to do the best they can and they fail regularly. They are there within their own particular battle of their own life. So cut them some slack for that. Don’t let them off the hook, but recognize the shared nature of being a human being. Let people be themselves and make some allowances for them, and treat people a little more kindly as a result.

Col. Chris Hadfield
Former Commander of the International Space Station
An Interview: Lessons from an Astronaut
London Real

“Impossible” Forgiveness

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Father, forgive them … (Luke 23:34).

Liberators found the following crumpled among the remains of the Ravensbruck concentration camp:

O Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but also those of ill will. But do not remember the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Remember the fruits we brought thanks to this suffering – our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

This prayer echoes Christ’s prayer. After being wrongly accused, mocked, beaten and humiliated before the people, Jesus was “crucified … along with [two] criminals” (Luke 23:33). Hanging, with mutilated body and gasping for breath, from a rough-hewn cross, I would expect Jesus to pronounce judgment on His tormentors, to seek retribution or divine justice. However, Jesus uttered a prayer contradicting every human impulse: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (:34).

Winn Collier
Our Daily Bread, May 6, 2020
(abridged & edited)
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No Greater Mischief

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No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God’s Word taken from them or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant we and our descendants be not witnesses of such a calamity.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Of God’s Word”
Table Talk
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Not Seeking a Following

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This author is aware that many will rejoice in these truths while not agreeing in many particulars. Fortunately, the author does not seek a following and would only ask each believer to own the Headship of Christ, and that He alone is sufficient for all things. What is of vital concern is that the glory of Christ be never debased, and that the perfections of His person and the completeness of His work be always honored. Our completeness in Him should be greatly treasured.

Russell H. Schaefer (1919-1999)
“The Mystery” Ministry of Paul
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Readjustment of Understanding

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Until or unless we are graced to observe that these revelations [of the Secret Administration] have no DELAYING effect whatever on the realization of our present hope, the necessary readjustment of understanding may become momentarily painful though there is no valid reason why it should.

Melvin E. Johnson (1897–1979)
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The Real Miracle of December 25th

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The real miracle of December 25^th is not the birth of Christ, but His conception:

It thus appears without the shadow of a doubt that the day assigned to the Birth of the Lord, viz., December 25, was the day on which He was “begotten of the Holy Spirit,” i.e., by pneuma hagion – divine power (Matthew 1:18, 20, marg.), and His birth took place on the 15^th of Ethanim, September 29, in the year following, thus making beautifully clear the meaning of John 1:14, “The Word became flesh” (Matthew 1:18, 20) on the 1^st Tebeth or December 25, “and tabernacled [Gr., eskenosen] with us,” on the 15^th of Ethanim or September 29.

E.W. Bullinger (1837-1913)
The Companion Bible Appendixes (Bible Student’s Press, 2010), Appendix 179, p. 231
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The Real Story of Jesus Christ’s Birth

An In-Depth Biblical and Historical Look into the Truths Surrounding the Birth of Jesus Christ

by — Paul R. Pontis

Leave it to religion to get things all messed up. It can’t even get the plain story of the birth of Christ correct. This work contains a wealth of historical and scriptural knowledge, effectively displacing commonly held traditions and legends surrounding the birth of Christ. Besides being enjoyable to read, this work is also a valuable reference guide.

(#4488) 150 pages, paperback.

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