tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3811228767705174709.post7354937957560555707..comments2023-06-19T03:55:20.088-04:00Comments on Boston Unitarian: the dark side...slthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15780928540224945711noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3811228767705174709.post-72508664050281928012009-05-28T21:09:19.923-04:002009-05-28T21:09:19.923-04:00There are at least three ideas here in Buckminster...There are at least three ideas here in Buckminster's discussion of the doctrine of probation which are going to strike 21st century liberal ears as a little dysphoneous. The first has to do with the closeness of death, which contributes profoundly to an understanding of the contingent and transitory nature of life. Death was ALWAYS close at hand in Buckminster's day: high infant mortality, plus the dangers of childbirth itself; poor nutrition; widespread disease; no antibiotics...you get the picture. People likewise typically were cared for by their families and died at home, rather than disappearing into the medical care system as they do today. The second very important idea has to do with the Fatherhood of God vis-a-vis humanity's experience as children of God, brothers and sisters to one another, here on earth to cultivate our "character" and thus become worthy of the love God gives us freely. But God's love is also sometimes "tough love," which is the source of the doctrine of probation to begin with. And yes, finally, the belief in the immortality of the soul, and of "a future state of rewards and punishments" would have been taken for granted. But despite being Biblical (as are all these early Unitarian ideas),"Probation" itself is hardly "Orthodox" -- orthodox Calvinists believe in unconditional election and a limited (substitutionary) atonement, whereas the Unitarians would have almost universally embraced an "exemplary" view of the atoning power/inspiration of Christ's crucifixion, in much the same way that Socrates exemplified the same values and faithfulness in his death.The Eclectic Clerichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692982208236857534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3811228767705174709.post-33437008373881213012009-05-28T07:31:30.450-04:002009-05-28T07:31:30.450-04:00Hi BU:
The Rev. Buckminster seems very other worl...Hi BU:<br /><br />The Rev. Buckminster seems very other worldly to me. He is an ascetic that has little use for the joys of this world but seems to be focused on the next more than the present. Is this a Calvanist influence?<br /><br />I think he has some good points, but they seem over stated to me. He does not appear to be a happy or greatful man, but someone who is looking foward to heaven more than to his life on earth.<br /><br />Maybe I mis understand him.<br /><br />I appreciate you allowing this study of his work.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />David MarkhamDavid G. Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.com