Genre:

Extract, Sermon, Serial

Publications extracted:

Wilbur Fisk [American] Methodist Magazine

Subjects:

Christianity, Philosophy, Biblical Authority, Reasoning, Natural Theology, Theodicy

    Notes that some have asserted that 'all punishment is disciplinary', that there cannot consequently be eternal punishment, and that salvation will ultimately be universal. Argues that this is 'contrary to the modern, and almost universally received principles of philosophising'. Observes that Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) and Isaac Newton established the practice of tracing facts 'up to first principles', and that this 'system of philosophy' has been applied to moral subjects by Thomas Reid and Dugald Stewart. 'From these great men we are taught, both by precept and example, to lay aside our own wisdom, the result of speculative reasoning, and calmly to sit at the feet of our great Teacher, the God of Nature, and the God of Grace; there to learn, from the principles made known in his works and word, the righteous laws by which he governs the physical and moral world'. (367) Argues that we would have been 'entirely ignorant' of divine punishment without revelation, but that revelation cannot be gainsayed by any amount of reasoning concerning the character of God (368). Suggests that any argument from the character of God against eternal punishment would apply to the existence of suffering generally, and that belief in either is dependent on God having 'declared it necessary by his word or works', rather than on reasoning (370).