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Part of a series on
The Marrow Controversy
Origin of the First Secession from the Kirk of Scotland
Background
Marrow Brethren
Opponents
Doctrines
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Thomas Boston

The Marrow Brethren or Marrowmen were a group inside Presbyterianism, the name is derived from the book "Marrow of Modern Divinity", which caused a controversy in the Scottish Church, called the Marrow Controversy.[1] The leading figures of the Marrow Brethren included Thomas Boston, Robert Riccaltoun, James Hog, John Williamson, James Bathgate, and Ebenezer Erskine along with the author of the Marrow, Edward Fisher.[2][3][4] The General Assembly condemned the Marrow for being allegedly "antinomian".[5]

The teaching of the Marrow Brethren is called "Marrow theology", and they have influenced many Reformed thinkers even after their condemnation in Scotland.[6]

Beliefs

The Marrow of Modern divinity criticized legalism while criticizing antinomianism, the Marrow argued that antinomianism and legalism, though being opposite to each other both are opposed to grace.[7]

The Marrow Brethren, though rejecting universal atonoment, held to common grace and that in some way God desires the salvation of all.[8] They attacked "High Calvinism", and sought to clear the gospel out of any other conditions other than faith. The Marrow Brethren denied that actions such as repentance, with either inward or outward reformation are necessary to receive salvation but saw them as naturally flowing from receiving Christ.[9][10] The Marrow saw high Calvinism as "misguided" and sought to defend the free offer of the gospel against the Assembly.[11]

The Marrow Brethren taught the republication of the covenant of works,[12] seeing the distinction of Law and Grace as vital to the gospel.[13] While the critics of the Marrow argued that being in the Covenant of Grace did not make the duties of the Covenant of Works unnecessary.[14]

The Marrow had a high emphasis on the possibility of assurance,[15] seeing the work of Christ as the foundation of the believer's assurance, while the general Assembly emphasized the human element in having assurance.[16]

Influence

Marrow beliefs formed the basis of the Secession churches, which still continue as Associate Reformed Presbyterian churches. The Marrow along with the writings of the Marrow Brethren were translated into Dutch, which caused their views to influence many Reformed churches and theologians in the Netherlands.[17][18]

R. Scott Clark, a professor in Westminister seminary California has defended the Marrow Brethren, saying: "The Marrow of Modern Divinity was regarded by the orthodox Reformed, in the 17th century, as a good summary of the orthodox view of law and gospel, justification, sanctification, and the third (normative) use of the law in the life of the Christian."[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ahnert, Thomas (2015-01-27). The Moral Culture of the Scottish Enlightenment: 1690–1805. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-15381-1.
  2. ^ "The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition". University of the Highlands and Islands. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  3. ^ "The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance – Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters". Reformed Faith & Practice. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  4. ^ MacLean, Donald (2015-03-11). James Durham (1622–1658): And the Gospel Offer in Its Seventeenth-Century Context. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. ISBN 978-3-525-55087-8.
  5. ^ Bavinck, Herman (2011-06-01). Reformed Dogmatics: Abridged in One Volume. Baker Academic. ISBN 978-1-4412-4018-7.
  6. ^ VanDoodewaard, William (2011-11-01). The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition: Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel offer in Scotland (1718-1799). Reformation Heritage Books. ISBN 978-1-60178-329-5.
  7. ^ "The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance – Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters". Reformed Faith & Practice. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  8. ^ Douma, Douglas J. (2017-01-24). The Presbyterian Philosopher: The Authorized Biography of Gordon H. Clark. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-5326-0724-0.
  9. ^ Macfadyen 1911.
  10. ^ Macleod 2010.
  11. ^ MacLean, Donald (2015-03-11). James Durham (1622–1658): And the Gospel Offer in Its Seventeenth-Century Context. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. ISBN 978-3-525-55087-8.
  12. ^ Hoehner, Paul J. (2021-05-13). The Covenant Theology of Jonathan Edwards: Law, Gospel, and Evangelical Obedience. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-7252-8157-8.
  13. ^ Myers, Stephen G. (2016-09-29). Scottish Federalism and Covenantalism in Transition: The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine. ISD LLC. ISBN 978-0-227-90527-2.
  14. ^ Ahnert, Thomas (2015-01-27). The Moral Culture of the Scottish Enlightenment: 1690–1805. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-15381-1.
  15. ^ VanDoodewaard, William (2011-11-01). The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition: Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel offer in Scotland (1718-1799). Reformation Heritage Books. ISBN 978-1-60178-329-5.
  16. ^ Holmes, Andrew R. (2006-11-02). The Shaping of Ulster Presbyterian Belief and Practice, 1770-1840. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-153717-2.
  17. ^ VanDoodewaard, William (2011-11-01). The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition: Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel offer in Scotland (1718-1799). Reformation Heritage Books. ISBN 978-1-60178-329-5.
  18. ^ Holmes, Andrew R. (2006-11-02). The Shaping of Ulster Presbyterian Belief and Practice, 1770-1840. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-153717-2.
  19. ^ "Why The Marrow Still Matters: Recovering The Reformation". The Heidelblog. 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
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