uberkermit
Puritan Board Freshman
I have been studying the extent of the atonement, and particularly Amyraldism. One path of study has led me to Warfield's discussion of the Westminster Assembly on this regard, which subsequently led me to read Cunningham's treatment of the topic of limited atonement. A word that keeps popping up is impetration. Looking in various dictionaries does not seem to be helping me understand the sense as it is being used in these discussions. The bare definition (of impetrate) is:
To obtain by request or entreaty.
Now for an example from Cunningham:
"Does the word [redeemed] describe merely the impetration or purchase of pardon and reconciliation for men by the death of Christ? or does it comprehend the application as well as the impetration?" William Cunningham, Historical Theology, Volume II, (Edinburgh: T & T Clark. 1864) pg. 327.
I have wondered if the definition I have for impetrate is not suitable for this usage; perhaps Cunningham had another definition in mind. Either way, I am unable to get a good sense of how the word is being used. Would someone care to put this another way so that I might better understand it?
To obtain by request or entreaty.
Now for an example from Cunningham:
"Does the word [redeemed] describe merely the impetration or purchase of pardon and reconciliation for men by the death of Christ? or does it comprehend the application as well as the impetration?" William Cunningham, Historical Theology, Volume II, (Edinburgh: T & T Clark. 1864) pg. 327.
I have wondered if the definition I have for impetrate is not suitable for this usage; perhaps Cunningham had another definition in mind. Either way, I am unable to get a good sense of how the word is being used. Would someone care to put this another way so that I might better understand it?