Seceder Theology

[PhilalethesIrenaeus]

Is it accurate to say that rejection of a distinct covenant of redemption, distaste for speaking of faith as a condition of the covenant of grace, and the use of federal/testamentary disposition language in the administration of the covenant of grace largely associated with secession ministers/theologians?

Were there other distinctives of the Seceders?

 

[yeutter]

The formation of the Associate Presbyterian Church was more about Church polity issues and who could call a pastor to a vacant pulpit, than it was about Church doctrine. After the Secession groups broke from the Church of Scotland it split four ways. Firstly they split over what their attitude should be to civil oaths that required one to profess that the true Reformed Protestant religion was the one professed within the realm. Burghers were willing to take such an oath. Anti Burghers refused to take such an oath. Later both the Burghers and Anti-Burghers split into New light [Licht] and Old [Auld] light factions.
The ‘Auld Licht’ reformed/Calvinist group, which held to the Solemn League and Covenant created the Original Associate Synod.
If I remember correctly the Auld Licht would not speak of faith or repentance in a way that taught conditional theology.
John Brown of Haddington is held up as an example of an outstanding Secessionist theologian.

 

[hammondjones]

I particularly think of the phrases "the whole Christ" and "deed of gift and grant".