The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

Synopsis of Contents

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Synopsis of Contents.

Part I.

§ 1.	The idea of everlasting perdition a necessary hypothesis—The nature of the doom of the wicked—The question complicated by that of the limitation of the Day of Grace to this life—The appalling view of existence involved—Especially as connected with strict Calvinism—Question stated.
§ 2.	The difficulty arising from the death of infants—The current opinion on their destiny—Its want of rational and theological consistency—The more natural supposition.
§ 3.	The difficulty arising from the consideration of the pre-Christian and post Christian heathen.
§ 4.	No reason in the nature of the case why death should fix human destiny—Explanation of the origin of the current view of the effects of death—The measure of truth it contains.
§ 5.	The contradiction between the actual aspects of human life and the supreme dignity of man—The contradiction between the actual circumstances of human life on earth and the ascription to it of such importance as is done by the traditional view—Solidarity and Individualism.
§ 6.	Christ comes in the fulness of the time to the race, and also to the individual—Objections of an exaggerated supernaturalism—The reception of the Gospel must needs involve a natural preparation—For many minds that natural preparation is not finished in this life—The true meaning of election and praerition.page 10
§ 7.	The ethical and religious effects of the current doctrine—How men hide from themselves that it involves pessimism—The view of the ancient world under its light—The view of the contemporary world—How it sends a pestilential breath into our very homes—We must be able to regard life as a precious gift of God.
§ 8.	Future probation a necessary inference from the Universal Fatherhood of God and Universal Death of Christ—The strict Calvinism of the 17th century—Modern Calvinism—The necessity of further inferences.

Conclusion.

Part II.

§ 1.	Summary of objections and difficulties.
§ 2.	Has not the Church in all ages held the doctrine that the opportunity of salvation is limited to this life?—The majority of testimonies against us—Many exceptions—Widespread change in the modern mind—Our duty in face of this change.
§ 3.	The appeal must be to the Scriptures—This appeal accepted with a caveat—The difficulty of generalising from isolated texts—The deliverance of the Apostolic Epistles—The greatest difficulty found in Christ's words—The explanation of Christ's attitude—We must fall back on the fundamental significance of the Gospel.
§ 4.	The charge against the Modern Doctrine that it is symptomatic of an incipient Apostacy from vital Christianity—No immediate grounds for the charge—As matter of fact, it commonly exists as part of a new organism of theological opinion—Explanation—Also, found in companionship with a feeble form of piety—Explanation—The charge more explicitly stated—A false indictment—The relation to the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God.
§ 5.	The modern doctrine a vain attempt to elude a difficulty—The remonstrance against it articulately stated—It misses the mark—A form of self-deception.page 11
§ 6.	The modern doctrine injurious to religious life and practical; zeal—Admitted that it lies open to ready abuse—Truth can never be hurtful, while our utilities are often at fault—The traditional doctrine is not influential for good—Its bearing on missions—Its bearing on the poor and miserable—The true; nature and origin of evangelistic enthusiasm.

Conclusion.

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