Master of Theology Dissertation: Charles Hodge
Abstract & Key Quotes
I just submitted my MTh dissertation this afternoon!
I thought I would share the abstract (summary), and a few of the key quotations.
Abstract
Charles Hodge’s full answer to the question – “for whom did Christ die?” – would be surprising to many Presbyterians today. His answer does not quite align with the standard ‘limited-atonement’ position held by most American Calvinists of the past few generations; and yet his answer was highly influential for several generations of those who succeeded him. But his answer was also full of uncited nuances; and he employs argumentation that does not seem to be prominent in the Reformed tradition. This begs the question, is Hodge’s answer fitting? It would be beyond the scope of this dissertation to analyze how well Hodge’s answer fits when compared to the broad historical sweep of Reformed theology. But how well does his answer fit the narrower scope of his own theology? This dissertation will argue that Hodge’s apparently peculiar formulation on the extent of the atonement does indeed fit within the context of his soteriology. Hodge’s soteriology repeatedly emphasizes the free offer of the gospel. And it so happens that, for Hodge, the free offer is most substantially supported by Christ’s death for all mankind. So Hodge’s answer to the question – “for whom did Christ die?” – fits within his soteriology as the most foundational support for the free offer. But when considering Hodge’s soteriology as a whole, it becomes clear that his concern to uphold the free offer is of paramount importance. In turn, this makes his formulation on the atonement’s extent a sort of idiosyncratic nexus for his soteriology. Hodge’s formulation not only draws a host of theological loci together, but also works its way out into several unexpected locations.
Key Quotations
“It is here, as well as elsewhere taught, that it was the design of God to render the salvation of all men possible, by the gift of his Son. There was nothing in the nature, or the value, or the design of his work to render it available for any one class of men only. Whosoever believeth, etc. This is not inconsistent with other representations that it entered into God’s design to render the salvation of his people certain by the death of his Son.”(On John 3:16)
Charles Hodge, Princeton Sermons (Repr., Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2011), 17.
“This plea of [Christ the Advocate] is not only effectual for some, but for all in whose behalf it is urged. It is of force for all who come unto God. So that no man has a right to say there is no ground for his acquittal, though there may be ground for the acquittal of others. Christ’s righteousness is not only of infinite value, but is equally available or suitable for all mankind.” (On 1 John 2:1-2)
Hodge, Princeton Sermons, 51
“All that the doctrine of the Reformers on this subject [of saving faith] includes is, that the soul in committing itself to Christ does so as to one who loved it and died for its salvation. The woman healed by touching our Saviour’s garment, believed that she was an object of his compassionate love, because all who touched Him with faith were included in that number. Her faith included that conviction.”
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, vol. 3, (Repr., 7th ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2016), 104.
I want to read the whole dissertation.