Article September 21, 1899 Issue

Vicarious Atonement

The Cleveland Leader

The subject of Rev. Carl D. Henry's morning sermon at All Saints' Universalist Church yesterday was "Pious Foolishness." a name that he applied to the doctrines of total depravity, the substitutional atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and not by works. The sermon was called forth, the pastor said, by a little book entitled "The Soul and its Difficulties," a "brochure of enormous circulation and productive of untold evil." Its teachings, which were the teachings of the creeds, the preacher declared, formed no part of the religion of Jesus, which was simple, reasonable, and so clear that a child can understand it. Vicarious atonement, the keystone of orthodox theology, was charged with being responsible for unmeasured sin, and sorrow, and the ruin of multitudes of souls who have thought to escape personal responsibility by making a scapegoat of Christ. Its effect upon the life of to-day was said to be pernicious and corrupting.

The preacher appealed for a forsaking of these "harmful dogmas of the creeds" and a return to the sane and simple religion of Christ, who obeyed and trusted God and practised the Golden Rule. "This alone is enough to transform every human life and convert the world into the abode of justice and happiness and fraternal love," Mr. Henry said. "This would bring us into harmony with God and solve our problems, banish our pains, and give us peace."

The Cleveland Leader.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Vicarious Atonement

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access