Lloyd-Jones and R W Dale

Forthcoming:

Watch this space for comment on the positive influence that Dr R. W. Dale (1829-1895), minister of Carrs Lane Congregational Church, Birmingham, had on the thinking and preaching of DMLJ on the doctrine of the atonement.

It was through reading Iain Murray's biography of DMLJ (Vol.1) that I discovered that Dale, James Denney and P. T. Forsyth were instrumental in changing the theology of DMLJ to a more fully biblical content.

Initial impressions are that Dale believed that Christ died for the sins of the world, as did DMLJ.  Both held that Christ died for mankind, for the human race, for humanity, for all men.  Both agreed perfectly with Calvin's soteriology.

So, so far as soteriology is concerned, Dale agreed with Calvin and DMLJ agreed with Dale.  Christ died for all men.  His atonement was offered for all because it was intended for all.  "...the Death of Christ as a Propitiation for the sins of mankind."  "It almost appears as if the Death of Christ, which expiated before God the sins of the human race..."  "... the Propitiation offered by Christ for the sins of the world."  "...the effects of His Death extend to the whole universe."  "...His Death could be the ground on which God forgives the sins of mankind..."  "the Christian Church has maintained that the Death of Christ is the ground on which God grants to mankind the forgiveness of sin."