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R. L. Dabney Biographical Sketch
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Robert L. Dabney
Syllabus and Notes of the Course of Systematic and Polemic Theology Taught In Union Theological Seminary, Virginia.
BY R. L. DABNEY, D. D., LL. D.
Table of Contents:
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Section One—Defending the Faith
Chapter 1:
The Existence of God
What is Theology? Its Divisions. Is Natural Theology a Science? Two Arguments
for God’s Existence. Argument of S. Clarke, of J. Howe, of Breckinridge.
Teleological Argument. Teleological Argument applied in instances. Ethical
Argument Consensus Popularum
Universe a Singular effect. Atheistic theory of Infinite Series. Pantheism.
[Lectures 1 & 2]
Chapter 3: Divine Attributes of God
How many does Reason infer? Eternity. Unity. Spirituality.
Simplicity. Immensity. Infinitude. Immutability. Reason infers also Omnipotence,
Omniscience, Rectitude, Goodness. Optimism. Man’s Duties to God. [Lectures 4 &
5]
Chapter 4: Materialism
Attempted Use of Doctrine of "Correlation of Forces." Theory of
Physical Basis of Life. Connection between Materialism and Atheism. Moral
Results of the latter. [Lecture 6]
Chapter 5: Immortality of the Soul and
Defects of Natural Religion
Testimony of Consciousness, of Reason, of Conscience, of Natural Theology.
Natural Analogies for Pardon doubtful. Natural Theology Deficient for Warrant
and Guarantee. Necessity of a Revelation. [Lecture 7]
Chapter 6: Sources of Our Thinking
Important Theological Question of Innate Ideas. Primitive Ideas must be Granted.
Metaphysical Skepticism. Tests of a Primary Truth. Axioms are Such.
Spirituality, Identity, Reality of the Objective, Cause for every Effect are
Intuitively seen. Belief not Derived from Association, or Experience. True
Doctrine of Causation. The Final Cause. All Judgments Intuitive and Necessary,
if Valid. Origin of our Moral Judgments. Selfish System of Hobbes. Utilitarian
Ethics. Selfish System of Paley. Sentimental Theory of Dr. A. Smith. Ethical
Theories. True Theory of Moral Distinction and Obligation. Moral
Judgments are Rational. The Moral Emotion. Schemes of Hutcheson, Jouffroy and
Brown. Supremacy and Authority of Conscience. Essentials to Moral
Responsibility. [Lectures 8 & 9 & 10]
Chapter 7: Free Agency and the Will
Man’s Free Agency denied by Theological Fatalists and Sensualistic
Necessitarians. Freedom and Necessity defied. Theory of Indifferency of the Will
Theory of Certainty, and Efficiency of Motives. Motives Defined. True Doctrine
Sustained and Objections Answered. [Lecture 11]
Chapter 8: Responsibility and Province of
Reason
Moral Character of Dispositions and Desires. Responsibility for Beliefs.
Province of Reason in Revealed Theology of Protestant System. Rationalism.
Prelatic System. [Lecture 12]
Chapter 9: Arminian Theory of Redemption—Part
1
Five Points of the Remonstrants. Wesleyan View of Original Sin. Doctrine of
Common Sufficient Grace Refuted. Grace in Regeneration Invincible. The Soul
Passive in its Quickening. No Salvation for the Heathen without Scripture
Instrumentality. [Lecture 48]
Chapter 10: Arminian Theory of Redemption—Part
2
Conditional Decrees Implied in Synergism. The Result Conditioned and not the
Decree. Argument of True Nature of the Will Stated, Calvinistic View Agreeable,
Arminian Inconsistent thereto. Motive and Disposition Defined. Free–Agency of
the Natural Will, though decisively Determined to Carnality. Inability does not
Supersede Responsibility. Regeneration Perfects Free–Agency. Hence
Responsibility in both States. [Lecture 49]
Chapter 11: Faith
Kinds of Faith. Temporary and Saving, Different. Christ the Special Object of
Saving Faith. Implicit or Intelligent? View of Romanists refuted, of Protestants
sustained. Elements in Saving Faith. Sin of Unbelief. Historical Faith
Distinguished. Faith the Fruit of Regeneration Objections and Answers. Fides
Formata of Rome, Distinction. Assurance ’,’ of faith
Distinguished. The Suitable Organ of Justification. [Lecture 50]
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Section Two—Basic Doctrines of the Faith
Chapter 12: Revealed Theology: God and His
Attributes
Names and Titles applied to God. God’s Attributes, Defined, Classified.
Scriptural evidences of God’s Unity, Spirituality, Simplicity, Immensity,
Eternity and Immutability. Scriptural account of Knowledge and Wisdom. Meaning
of His Simple, His Free, and His Mediate Knowledge. Free Knowledge of the Future
Acts of Free Agents. Scriptural Evidence of His Will and Power. Omnipotent over
Free Agents. Distinction between Decretive and Preceptive Will. Antecedent and
Consequent Will. His Will Absolute. Is God’s Will the sole source of Moral
Distinctions God’s Moral Attributes. Absolute and Relative,
Distributive and Punitive Justice Defined and Proved from Scripture. God’s
goodness. Its Relations to His Love, His Grace and His Mercy. Scriptural Proofs.
Truth and Faithfulness Defined and Established. God’s Holiness. Defined and
Proved. God’s Infinitude. Proofs. [Lectures 13 & 14 & 15]
Chapter 13: The Trinity
The Terms, Trinity, Essence, Substance, Subsistence, Person, Derived and
Defined. Three Tendencies of Opinion on Trinity; the Patripassian, Sabellian and
Arian Schemes Stated and Refuted. Orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity Stated and
Defended. Rationalistic Explanations of the Greek Scholastics, of Thomas
Aquinas. Proof of Trinity from Revelation. [Lecture 16]
Chapter 14: The Divinity of Christ
Argued from His Pre-existence. In the Old Test. Theophanies, and Angel of the
Covenant. Augustine’s Difficulty answered. Divine Names, Attributes, Works and
Worship given to Christ. [Lecture 17]
Chapter 15: The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
and of the Son
History of the Doctrine of Holy Spirit. The Orthodox Doctrine. Personality of
the Holy Spirit, and the Divinity of the Holy Spirit argued from Scripture.
Objections answered. Controversy on the Procession of Holy Spirit examined.
Divinity of second and third Persons proved by offices in Redemption. [Lecture 18]
Chapter 16: Personal Distinctions in the
Trinity
Son’s Generation and Filiation; Orthodox, Arian, and Socinian Views of. Ante–Nicene
Greek Speculations on. Eternal Generation Proved. Procession of Holy Spirit.
[Lecture
19]
Chapter 17: The Decrees of God
His Acts Classified. Decree Proved by God’s Intelligence, His Power. Different
from Fate. Distinction between permissive and efficacious. Properties of the
Decree, Unity, Eternity, Universality (including creatures’ acts), Efficiency
Unconditionality, Freedom and Wisdom. Objections answered. [Lecture 20]
Chapter 18: Predestination
Definition. Proposition, a Definite Election of Individual Men to Salvation,
Proved, from Decree from Original Sin, from Scripture Testimonies by Providence
Evasions Considered. Predestination Eternal, Efficacious, unchangeable, etc.
Objections. Predestination of Angels, Different from that of Man. Schemes of the
Sublapsarian and Supralapsarian Examined. Hypothetic Scheme Examined. Arminian
Scheme Stated and Refuted. God’s Decree of reterition. Its Grounds. Proved.
Predestination Consistent with Justice with Holiness, and with Benevolence of
God. Practical Effects of the Doctrine. [Lectures 21 & 22]
Chapter 19: Creation
Terms Defined. Creation out of Nothing. The Atomic, Pantheistic and Platonic
Schemes Refuted. Proofs from Scripture, from Reason, and Objections to the
Eternity of the Universe and Matter. No Creature can be Enabled to Create. The
Creative Week. Theories of Modern Geologists concerning the Age of the Earth.
Their Grounds and modes of Reconciling them with Mosaic History. [Lecture 23]
Chapter 20: Angels
Existence and Personality of Angels. Their Qualities. Their First Estate
Probation and Issue thereof. Offices of the Good Angels. Personality and
Headship of Satan. Powers of Bad Angels. Witchcraft. Demoniacal Possessions.
Temptations. Personal Christian Duties Resulting. [Lecture 24]
Chapter 21: Providence
Definitions. Theory of Epicurean, of General Providence. Of Pantheist. Concern
of Providence in Phys. Causes and Laws. A Special argued from a General
Providence. Doctrine Proved, from God’s Perfections, Man’s Moral Intuitions
Course of Nature and Human History, Dependence of Creatures, from Scriptures.
Objections Answered. Relation of Providence to Rational Acts of Free Agents. God’s
Agency in Man’s Spiritual Acts; in Man’s Sins. Doctrine of an Immediate
Concursus. The True Doctrine Sustained. [Lecture 25]
Chapter 22: Effectual Calling
Application of Redemption by Holy Spirit. Sin Necessitates the Call. Common and
Effectual Calling. Designs of God in Common Call; His Sincerity therein.
Scripture Argument Objections considered. Agent and Instrument of Regeneration.
Pelagian and Semi–Pelagian View of Regeneration. Correct View Sustained. Is
the Operation of the Spirit Mediate? Dick’s View. Definition of Doctrine.
Argument. How Moral Opinions Arise. [Lectures 46.& 47]
Chapter 23: Justification
Importance of correct views of the doctrine. Scripture idea of. Roman Catholic
view Justification not by inherent grace and its works. Both pardon and
adoption. Both Christ’s active and passive obedience is the ground of it. What
is adoption? Works cannot justify. James reconciled to Paul. Christ’s work was
not to lower the Law. Faith not our Imputed Righteousness. But Justification
only on account of Christ’s merit. Imputation. Justification an Act. How
related to the Judgment Day? Faith only instrument of Justification. How related
to Sanctification? To good works? Antinomian result rejected. [Lectures 52 & 53
& 54]
Chapter 24: Repentance
Repentance of two kinds. Legal and Evangelical Repentance. Author of True
Repentance. It follows new birth. How related to Faith. Yet no Satisfaction for
Guilt. Fruits meet for Repentance. [Lecture 55]
Chapter 25: Sanctification and Good Works
Sanctification Defined. How related to New Birth and Justification. Agent and
Means. Never Perfect in this life. Wesleyan view. Sanctification is of the whole
man: and progressive. Evangelical good work what? Merit what? Congruous and
Condign. None in Believer’s works. Nor Natural Man’s. Concilia
Perfectionis rejected. Supererogation refuted. Standards of
Sanctification. Value of Christ’s Example. [Lectures 56 & 57]
Chapter 26: Perseverance of the Saints
Differing views of. Perseverance Defined and Proved. Objections to reconciled.
Tendency of the Doctrine. [Lecture 58]
Chapter 27: Assurance of Grace and
Salvation
Distinguished by Confession from Faith. Doctrine of Rome, and of first
Reformers, touching. Not of the Essence of Saving Faith. The Grace attainable.
Means: Self–examination, asserted. Objections: as, e. g.,
Fostering carnal security. The Witness. [Lecture 59]
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Section Three—The Condition of Man
Chapter 28: Man’s Estate of Holiness and
the Covenant of Works
Man’s Origin. Man’s Person, Body and Spirit. In the "Image of
God." Man’s Original Righteousness. Concreated. Views of Pelagians and
Socinians, and of Romanists Refuted. The True View Established. Natural Relation
of Man to God’s Will. Covenant of Works, Proof of its Institution and Extent
to Posterity. The Condition and Seal of the Covenant. Probation Temporary.
[Lecture
26]
Chapter 29: The Fall and Original Sin
Sin and Guilt Defined. Adam’s First Sin. Effects of Sin in Adam. The Tempter.
Sentence on Him. Effects of Adam’s Fall on His Posterity, According to
Pelagian; Lower Arminian; Wesleyan; and Calvinistic Theory. Origin of Souls.
History of Opinions. Args. of Traducianists and Creationists examined. Defined.
Depravity Total. Its Existence in the Race proved, from Experience; from
Scripture. Imputation of the Guilt to Posterity, Defined and Proved. Objections
to Args. for Native Depravity Considered. Objections to Imputation, from
Scriptures; from Absence of consent to Adam’s Representation; from its
Supposed Injustice from God’s Goodness, Answered. Theories of Mediate and
Immediate Imputation Examined and Correct View Sustained. Importance of the
Doctrine from its Connection with other Doctrines of Redemption. [Lectures 27 &
28 & 19]
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Section Four—God’s Law
Chapter 30: The Decalogue, or Ten
Commandments
Definitions. Moral Distinction Intrinsic and Eternal. Of Moral Obligation. Uses
of Law under the Covenant of Grace. Origin and Divisions. Rules of
Interpretation. The Law Perfect. [Lecture 30]
Chapter 31: The First Table of the Law—Commandments
1-4
Scope of the 1st Commandment. Roman Catholic Idolatry. Args. against Saint,
Angel and Relic Worship. Scope of 2nd Commandment. Image Worship. Excuses of
Rome Examined. Scope of 3rd Commandment. Lawful Oaths and Vows. Diversity in the
Observance. Opinion of Papists, Lutherans, Socinians the Anglican Church,
Calvin, and the Arminians each Examined. True Doctrine Westminster Assembly.
Sabbath Command Moral and Perpetual, Proved by Decalogue, by Tradition. New
Test. Argument Anti–Sabbatarian View. The Lord’s Day the Christian Sabbath.
Practical Argument [Lectures 31 & 32]
Chapter 32: The Second Table of the Law—Commandments
5-10
Scope of 5th Commandment. Parents represent all Superiors. Extent of the
Promise. Scope of 6th Commandment. Animal Life, Capital Punishment, Defensive
War, Moral Character of Dueling. Scope of 7th Commandment. Adultery and its
Punishment. Divorce. Polygamy. Limits of Consanguinity. Celibacy. Scope of 8th
Commandment. Origin of Right of Private Property. Usury. Buying and Selling
under the Law of Charity. Scope of 9th Commandment. Grounds of Duty of Veracity.
Its practical importance. Evil Speaking. Are all Deceptions Lies? Scope of 10th
Commandment. Roman Catholic Division of it. The Decalogue only from God. What
does every Sin deserve? [Lectures 33 & 34 & 35]
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Section Five—God’s Relationship with His People
Chapter 33: The Covenant of Grace
God’s Remedy. Terms defined. Covenant of Redemption, Proof of. How related to
the Covenant of Grace. The Original Parties to the Covenant. Motives of God to
the Covenant. Conditions Pledged, by Christ, by the Father. Instrumental
Condition required of Men. Faith the only condition. One in all Ages. Opinion of
Socinians, of Anabaptists, of Remonstrants thereon. Two Dispensations, why? The
Gospel Preached to Adam. The Development of Grace. A Mediator. Sacrificial
Types. Additional Revelations to Patriarchs, Eternal Life Promised. Covenant of
Sinai, not a Covenant of Works. True Nature of this Covenant. Difference of Old
Dispensation from New. No Limbus Patrum.
Old Testament Saints Redeemed at Death. [Lectures 36 & 37 & 38]
Chapter 34: Mediator of the Covenant of
Grace
Mediator what? Why Needed in the Covenant of Grace. Jesus the Mediator of Old
Testament. Hypostatic Union, Views of Gnostics, Eutychians, Nestorians and
Orthodox thereon; the Ground of Efficacy of Christ’s Work. Impeccability of
Christ. Does Christ Mediate in both Natures? Necessity of each. Necessity of
Christ’s Prophetic Work, Socinian view of. Christ the Only Mediator. Argument
of Rome refuted. Angelic Mediation. Christ’s Anointing. Christ’s Offices
Three, Why? His Prophetic Work, its Modes and Periods. Christ the True Priest.
Functions of the Priesthood. Its Peculiarities. Necessity of Satisfaction Proved
against Socinians, etc. God’s Motive Satisfying His own Justice. False
Theories of Penalty Refuted. Title to Penalty Correlative to Title to Reward.
[Lectures
39 & 40 & 41]
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Section Six—Christ, Man’s Hope
Chapter 35: The Nature of Christ’s
Sacrifice
Redemption Foreshadowed in Providence. Intervention Costs a Penalty.
Substitution Unusual among Men, Why? Terms Defined. The very Penalty. Theory of
Christ’s Death as held by Socinians, Theory of Moral Influence, and Theory of
Governmental Influence Stated and Refuted. Christ’s Proper Substitution and
Vicarious Sacrifice Proved. Conditions of Efficacy of this Atonement. Socinian
and Semi–Pelagian Objections to Doctrine of Vicarious Satisfaction considered.
Design of God therein and Extent of that Design. Theories of Pelagians,
Wesleyans, Hypothetic Universalists (Amyrant), Calvinists. Proofs of latter and
former refuted. Difficulties of the Subject. Christ’s Satisfaction not
Commercial. The Design and Result Co–extensive. God’s Volitions from a
Complex Motive. Objections Solved. [Lectures 42 & 43]
Chapter 36: Results of Christ’s Sacrifice
Penance and Purgatory. History of. Roman Catholic Doctrines Stated, with their
Args. and Replies. [Lecture 44]
Chapter 37: Christ’s Humiliation and
Exultation
Did He Descend into Hell? Calvin’s View. Exaltation, Session at Father’s
Right–hand. Resurrection of Christ Proved. Its Importance. Christ’s Priestly
Intercession, its Grounds, Objects, Mode, Duration. Christ’s Kingdom, the
Extent of His Powers, its Duration. [Lecture 45]
Chapter 38: Union to Christ
By what similitudes described? Its results to believers. Its instrumental and
essential bond. How it resembles and differs from the union of the Father and
the Son—and that of the divinity and humanity of the Son. It is not merely
that of a Leader and his followers. It is not a partaking of the substance of
the Godhead. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in this union. The union
indissoluble. [Lecture 51]
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Section Seven—The Practices of the Church
Chapter 39: Prayer
Definition and Parts. Proper Objects. Grounds of Duty. Objections to, from God’s
Perfections, and Stability of Natural Law. Rule of Prayer. Extent of warrant
for. Secret, Social, etc. Model of. Physical Prayer. Test. [Lecture 60]
Chapter 40: The Sacraments
Definition. Sacraments are Seals. Parts of Sacraments. Qualities of Elements.
Sacramental Union what? Sacraments only Two: Under each Dispensation. Spurious
Roman Catholic Sacraments. Doctrine of Intention. Opus
Operatum. Are they Necessary to Salvation? By whom Administered?
The Indelible Character Rejected. [Lectures 61 & 62]
Chapter 41: Baptism
A Permanent Ordinance. Signification of Baptismal Regeneration. Formulary. John’s
Baptism. Baptism of Christ, for what? Mode of Baptism and Meaning of Words. Mode
of for all Ages and Climates. Mode best Suited to Significance. Analogy of
Figurative Baptisms. Mode of New Testament Cases. Ecclesiastical Results of
Immersionists’ Dogma. Primitive Mode. Proper Subjects, Who? Baptism of Infants
not Unreasonable. Argued from Infant Membership and Abrahamic Covenant. Argued
from Unlikelihood of their Exclusion. From Great Commission. Proselyte Baptism
Implies Infant Baptism. Baptism of Houses. Infants Addressed as in the Church.
Historical Argument. Infant Baptism does not Corrupt Church. Relation of
Baptized to Church. [Lectures 63 & 64 & 65 & 66]
Chapter 42: The Lord’s Supper
Definition, Names and History. Elements and Sacramental Acts. Doctrine of Real
Presence. Transubstantiation. Consubstantiation. Doctrine of Calvin as to Real
Presence compared with that of Zwinglius and Westminster. Supper not a
Sacrifice. Private Communions Disapproved. Laity should have the Cup. Proper
Administerer. Sacramental Efficiency, what? [Lectures 67 & 68]
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Section Eight—Life After Death for Believers
Chapter 43: Death of Believers
Why Death befalls the Justified. Souls Immortal. Benefits received by Justified
at Death. Sanctification then complete. No Intermediate Place. Sleep of Souls
rejected. [Lecture 69]
Chapter 44: The Resurrection
Speculations on. Doctrine Defined. Qualities and Identity of Resurrection
bodies. Objections dissolved. Doctrine proved from Scripture. How Dated to
Christ’s. Two Resurrections and Pre–Adventism. [Lecture 70]
Chapter 45: General Judgment and Eternal Life
Purposes of such Judgment. Proofs of Time, Place, etc. The Judge Christ. Saints
Assessors. Who Judged? Rule? Sentences. Nature of Saints Blessedness. Place of.
[Lecture 71]
Chapter 46: Nature and Duration of Hell
Torments
The Punishment of Wicked, what? Speculations as to Duration. Universalism.
Objections of to Scripture Doctrine. Meaning of Bible Words. Everlasting
punishments proved. [Lecture 72]
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Section Nine—The Church and the World Around It
Chapter 47: The Civil Magistrate
True theory of Civil Government. Social Contract Theory. Civil and Natural
Liberty, what? Equality. Objects and Limits of civil Powers. Higher Law and
Private Judgment. Passive Obedience. Right of Revolution. [Lecture 73]
Chapter 48: Religious Liberty and Church and
State
Religious Liberty and Private Judgment Established. Persecutions for opinions
rejected. High Theory of Church Establishments rejected. Chalmers’ Theory
considered. Proper Relations of Church and State. Civil Powers over. [Lecture 74]
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Appendices
Appendix A:
Geologic Theories and Chronology. Must concern
Theologian. Flow to be treated by him. Burden of Proof against Revealed Facts
lies on the Geologist. His, a posteriori
Argument Circumstantial. Hence Invalid against Credible "Parole"
Evidence. When pushed to extreme, Atheistic.
Appendix B:
Apostolic Succession and Sacramental Grace Shown to be a Blunder.
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