TEDDINGTON, ENGLAND, MAY 18TH, 1933
TEDDINGTON, ENGLAND, MAY 18TH, 1933
Mr. Charles A. Coates.
Beloved Brother, — It was good of you to return the MSS so promptly and by registered mail. I shall make the changes you suggest.
I am helped by what you propose to add to your tract.
But I am afraid trouble will arise from the statement on page 8, paragraph 2 — ‘Never acted as on equality with God’. I doubt that it can be sustained. What our Lord says in John 5, quoted in the previous paragraph, literally supports the statement, but we must it seems to me, read this with other statements. He is still Man, but yet “over all God”.
Also page 8, paragraph 3 — ‘Never departed from the place which is suitable to a Son with a Father’. I do not think we should say anything indicating that He had not the liberty of acting as God.
Page 9 — ‘His eternal Person as in Deity is greater than anything which attaches to Him as viewed in the place and relationship of Son’. As said above, although Man He is said to be “God” — “the true God”.
It seems that in stressing the general position in manhood as marked by subjection, room should be made for the inscrutable. Thus we make allowance for the presence and [p. 399] action of Deity in Christ even as here in the flesh. Deity is asserted when He said, “Before Abraham was I am”. Also when, as He said, “I am”, His enemies went backward and fell to the ground.
You could, perhaps, say something like this — ‘Although ever remaining, as to His Person, in the inscrutableness of Deity, and retaining liberty to act in it, He had taken a subordinate place as Son, for the effectuation of the Divine thoughts, and He maintained it throughout’. Here John 5 could be brought in as setting forth equality in subjection; for while He says the Son can do nothing of Himself, etc., He says, “That all may honour the Son even as they honour the Father”. Also, “Whatever things He does, these things also the Son does in like manner”. There is wonderful interweaving of His personal dignity and subjection to and dependence on the Father. As you remark, we must think as Scripture does, and this is nowhere more needed than in John 5 and Mark 13.
I wish I had opportunity to go over this supreme matter with you “mouth to mouth”, as I am very conscious of how weak in mind and heart I am as to it.
The Lord knows that the truth only is aimed at and He will not fail us. He is working to rescue the whole of it — parts being still in dark settings.
There is much going on in the London area in which the Lord is helping. The practical unity among the dear brethren and the interest in divine things are most touching. There was a very happy and good time in Park Street on Tuesday — Hebrews 11. P.L. was much helped, I hear, at Cranleigh yesterday and there was support at Kingston in an address I gave. I was pointing out how poorly sisters function in the meetings. There is a large affair, please God, tomorrow evening at Kingsway Hall. Then a meeting with brothers at P.L.’s on Saturday.
There is improvement at Newcastle. Dear Mr. Davidson was buried today. Brethren keenly feel the loss sustained as Mr. Davidson was evincing a practical interest in the Lord’s work.
The news of Teignmouth is cheering. You are always in our minds and prayers.
My wife unites in warm love in Christ.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.