John McLeod Campbell

John McLeod Campbell

To understand Incarnational, Trinitarian theology it is helpful to know something of its history. Toward that end, a recent post at KerrysLoft helpfully summarizes the work of Scottish theologian John McLeod Campbell and others. Here is an excerpt (click here for the original).

Along with Edward Irving(1792-1834),Thomas Erskine of Linlathen (1788-1870) and a number of other 19th-century Scottish theologians, Campbell(1800-1872) critiqued the Calvinism of the day by arguing that God in Christ assumed our fallen human nature, yet without sin through the Holy Spirit; that the Father loves all humanity and that Christ died for all humanity, not just for those who believe; and that we are somehow joined with Christ in his re-creation of our human nature. In this way, they helped inspire the more lively evangelical tradition exemplified by figures as diverse as George MacDonald (1824-1905), F.D. Maurice (1839-1901) and, in the 20th century, Karl Barth and the Torrance brothers.

As with Barth, each of these writers has been caricatured and misrepresented. Yet a recovery of these writers will deepen one’s historical understanding of the evangelical character of modern Trinitarian theology, which took root in 19th-century attempts to think through the doctrines of Incarnation and Atonement together in their natural interconnections.

For more information about Campbell click here. To download his book The Nature of the Atonement, click here.