James Morison, the Scottish Finney. XIII
James Morison had been deposed by the United Secession Church. An American observer, James Henley Thornwell, observed: "the leaven of New Schoolism, I am sorry to say, is beginning to work its way, even here. The Presbytery of Kilmarnock, at its last meeting, deposed a man from the ministry for holding sentiments somewhat similar to those of Albert Barnes. Error, however, has made little progress; and the prompt steps of the Presbytery, which were confirmed and applauded by the Synod, I sincerely hope may arrest it" (letter dated Glasgow July 15th 1841).
Morison's church had, however, stuck by him. He still recieved his full salary, and he still had his manse. What was more, his trial had brought him to the notice of a number of people in other churches whose opinions were moving in the same direction.
But Morison's theology was still in a state of flux. He believed in a universal atonement and that man had a natural power to believe the Gospel, but he was still trying to hang on to some kind of Calvinism.
The Five Points of Calvinism are not, however, an unrelated series of points, one or more of which may be held or not without affecting the rest. The Five Points are a chain, five points joined by a line. Each point depends on the others, and the removal of one weakens the others. The removal of two, as Morison had attempted, had seriously weakened his system. He held Calvinistic views on the other points more from a fear of Arminianism than for any other reason now.
Now Morison began to think through his views. He was trying to teach a universal atonement and a human ability to believe along with absolute and unconditional election. The attempt was impossible, and Morison's remaining Calvinism collapsed. If all men have the natural power to believe, then there is no need for irresistible grace, and election collapses too. Morison's logical mind led him into Arminianism save for one point. Morison never gave up the Final Perseverence of the Saints.
Morison's theology was fixed, but his destiny was not. Was he to be the pastor of one independent Church, or was Clerk's Lane the first of many such congregations? God willing, we shall see next time.
Morison's church had, however, stuck by him. He still recieved his full salary, and he still had his manse. What was more, his trial had brought him to the notice of a number of people in other churches whose opinions were moving in the same direction.
But Morison's theology was still in a state of flux. He believed in a universal atonement and that man had a natural power to believe the Gospel, but he was still trying to hang on to some kind of Calvinism.
The Five Points of Calvinism are not, however, an unrelated series of points, one or more of which may be held or not without affecting the rest. The Five Points are a chain, five points joined by a line. Each point depends on the others, and the removal of one weakens the others. The removal of two, as Morison had attempted, had seriously weakened his system. He held Calvinistic views on the other points more from a fear of Arminianism than for any other reason now.
Now Morison began to think through his views. He was trying to teach a universal atonement and a human ability to believe along with absolute and unconditional election. The attempt was impossible, and Morison's remaining Calvinism collapsed. If all men have the natural power to believe, then there is no need for irresistible grace, and election collapses too. Morison's logical mind led him into Arminianism save for one point. Morison never gave up the Final Perseverence of the Saints.
Morison's theology was fixed, but his destiny was not. Was he to be the pastor of one independent Church, or was Clerk's Lane the first of many such congregations? God willing, we shall see next time.
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