GREENWICH, DECEMBER 29TH, 1894

^[p. 101] GREENWICH, DECEMBER 29TH, 1894

My Dear Brother, — I am sorry for the delay in answering your letter of the 24th inst., which has arisen from my having to leave home for Plymouth. In answer to your question I should say that if a man intended to deny the Eternal Sonship of Christ I certainly should not care to remain in fellowship with him — for “the Son” is the name that conveys to me the idea of the distinct personality of Christ; John 5:19,20; 1 John 4:14. The expression ‘the Word’ is much more a moral idea, and is really taken up from philosophy — though a peculiar significance is given to it by the Spirit of God. On the other hand I fear a little of speaking of the Eternal Son as ‘in relationship’ lest the thought be extended according to human ideas in which we rightly regard a son as in a position of inferiority to a father. The eternal relations subsisting between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are entirely beyond our knowledge.

Believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.