Questions on Chapter 42.

The gospel speaks of the remission of sins past — “Whom God hath sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:25. But in what sense, according to Universalism, are past sins remitted, through faith in the blood of Christ? They cannot be remitted in the sense of release from punishment, either in this life or the next; for in this life they must suffer for them the full penalty of the law; and they were never in danger of being punished for them in the life to come. Nor can Christ save them from their sins in the sense of prevention, for they have actually taken place; so that we can see no possible way in which, according to the Universalist scheme, Christ can save sinners from their past sins. But as this salvation is plainly taught in Scripture, it follows that Universalism is subversive of the gospel plan of salvation from sin.

From all which it follows, that as Universalism, in all its phases, is contrary to the express teachings of Scripture; as it is inconsistent with the whole Bible scheme of salvation through the mediatorial reign of Christ; as it contradicts the great truth, so abundantly taught in Scripture, that salvation is conditional; as it overturns the whole scheme of salvation through the amazing love and mercy of God; and as it is subversive of the whole scheme of salvation itself — from all these considerations, we conclude that it is so directly antagonistic to the doctrines of Christ and his apostles, as to be essentially “another gospel;” and not that glorious system of salvation from sin through the atoning blood of Christ, received “through faith in his name.” Hence, as all these kindred theories, antagonistic to the doctrine of the endless punishment of the wicked in a future state, are seen to be fallacious, we may safely conclude that not only the justice, but all the attributes, of God, will harmonize in the sentence of endless punishment upon all who finally reject the offer of eternal life. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 42.

QUESTION 1. Should the scriptures describing future punishment be construed literally or figuratively?

2. If figuratively, are the figures stronger than the reality?

3. What scriptures prove that future punishment implies the infliction of pain by an external agency?

4. What scriptures prove that it implies banishment to a place of outer darkness?

5. What scriptures prove that it implies a state of deep distress and anguish?

6. In what scripture is it called the second death?

7. What is implied in banishment from God and all that is good?

8. What scriptures prove that it implies the outpouring of the wrath of God?

9. What is the theory of Materialism? Of Destructionism? Of Universalism? Of Restorationism?

10. What is the correct doctrine on the subject?

11. What scriptures are adduced to prove it?

12. What objections are offered against the annihilation theory?

13. How is it shown that Universalism is contrary to the scheme of salvation through the mediation of Christ?

14. How is it proved that it is inconsistent with the conditionality of salvation?

15. How is it proved that it is contrary, to salvation through the love and mercy of God?

16. How is it proved that it is inconsistent with the idea of salvation from past sins, or salvation in any sense?