The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
5. But what is the harm in this apparently<br />
innocent invention? It looks so beautiful!<br />
But it is deadly. A little thought will show that<br />
sexual irresponsibility and consequent<br />
permissiveness become the natural ethical result of<br />
this false doctrine, for Christ as Saviour is forced<br />
into an unnatural role that precludes the possibility<br />
that He can be a true Substitute for us. He cannot<br />
redeem what He does not assume. Nor can He be a<br />
true Example to believers if He bypassed taking<br />
our true fallen nature. <strong>The</strong> popular doctrine of<br />
Christ taking the sinless nature of Adam before the<br />
Fall is next door to the Catholic idea. <strong>The</strong> word<br />
"exempt" is a favorite with Roman Catholics in<br />
discussing the nature of Christ:<br />
<strong>The</strong> whole mind of the Oriental church ... drew<br />
from St. Augustine, the great Doctor of grace,<br />
those remarkable declarations which exempt the<br />
Blessed Virgin from all sin.<br />
In the same spirit, and with a like implied<br />
exemption from the curse, St. Hippolytus, Bishop<br />
140