Back a couple months ago I posted an entry wherein I asked where a lost book could be found, one written by Elder Clark in 1873 (a crucial time period in the history of the Hardshells) and titled - "Exposure of heresies propagated by some "old school Baptists," from their own publications: showing their doctrines to be not according to the Gospel of Christ."
I can now report that I have read this short book and have taken some notes from it.
The book shows that many of the first Hardshells were Arian in doctrine, denying the eternal Sonship of Christ as an expression of his divinity.
I knew that some of the first Hardshells were Arian, realizing this of Elder Wilson Thompson (more to come on this in future chapters), but I have seen, from the book above, that many more believed it than Thompson. Elders Beebe and Trott were strong advocates for the belief that the Son of God was a created being.
Elder Clark denounced this view and many churches and associations associated with him declared non-fellowship for all those holding to the Arian view.
In this book Elder Clark attacks the "no change" view of regeneration, a view prevalent among first generation Hardshells, or what has come to be called the "Hollow Log" doctrine. Those who generally held to this doctrine were they who retained the view of Elder Parker and his belief in "eternal vital union," or "eternal children," believing that the elect were in existence in Christ, by a creation before the world began, and that they simply, like Christ, "come down from heaven" and take up their abode in an "Adam man," like a rabbit would run into a hollow log and stay there, yet without effecting any change in the log.
Elder Clark found it absurd and a false doctrine worse than Arminianism. He did not believe that anyone existed before he was born into the world.
I will be continuing my research regarding Elder Clark, a pivotal figure in the years from 1832 till his death near the end of the 19th century.
Did he believe in gospel means? Some Hardshells today cite, in a piecemeal fashion, statements where Elder Clark seemed to deny all means in regeneration, but I have also found statements to the contrary.
But, more on him and other Hardshell founding fathers in upcoming chapters.
3 comments:
Elder Clark's weakness was his ability to properly identify God the Word. He, as all nicenists, interchange "Son" with "Word" and with "Jesus Christ." He unjustifiably labeled these men arians due to his lack of understanding what these men were teaching from the scriptures.
If you would search google books using the names Elder Trott and Elder Clark, you would find some of the articles you seek. You may read for yourself why Elder Clark claimed what he claimed. You may also read Elder Trott's reply.
Dear WH:
Thanks. I will research further.
But, from the book I read by Elder Clark, he gave citations that to me seemed clearly to deny the Trinity as it has been commonly believed by Protestants and Catholics. Beebe and his cohorts, like Wilson Thompson, clearly had errors respecting the Trinity and the incarnation.
Blessings,
Stephen
Perhaps, just perhaps, the Catholics and their daughters the Protestants are not following the scriptures? Are the scriptures the only rule of faith and order, or are the Catholics? Protestants? Baptists? Presbyterians? Methodists?
Have you found the articles I mentioned? I also found a website with several works by different writers touching this topic. If you have not found it, I would be happy to search for it again and send you the link.
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