Herbert Lockyer's Views Of The Biblical Doctrines Of Inspiration, Predestination, Salvation, Regeneration (the new birth), And Atonement

By Pastor Bruce Oyen

Grace Baptist Church

Rochester, WA

E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

What This Posting Is About

    In this posting I will present the views of the late author, Dr. Herbert Lockyer, on the doctrines of inspiration, predestination, salvation, regeneration, and atonement. I agree with his views on these subjects. They are found in his excellent book called, "All The Doctrines Of The Bible."

A Biblical Scholar's Endorsement Of Lockyer's Book  On Bible Doctrines

    Here is what the renowned Biblical scholar, F. F. Bruce, said in his Foreword to this book by Lockyer: "Dr. Herbert Lockyer, out of his long experience and ripe wisdom, has written a book which will help many to understand the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. It will not take the place of the Bible, but prove of greatest use to those who study it along with the Bible."

A Link To This Book

    To take a look-see at Lockyer's book on Bible doctrines, click on the following link. Then buy it. Read it. Use it. Tell others about it. Here's the link: http://www.christianbook.com/all-the-doctrines-of-bible/herbert-lockyer/9780310280514/pd/0280516?item_code=WW&netp_id=164843&event=ESRCG&view=details

Herbert Lockyer Wrote Many Good Books

    Lockyer is well-known through this book, but also through  his many other books on Biblical subjects. Titles of some of his other books are these: 

• All The Apostles Of The Bible.
• All The Messianic Prophecies Of The Bible.
• All The Promises Of The Bible.
• All The  Parables Of The Bible.
• All The Promises Of The Bible.

A Brief Biography Of Herbert Lockyer

   To read a brief and interesting biography of Lockyer, click on this link:

http://bioinbrief.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=107

Herbert Lockyer's View Of The Bible Itself

    Since Lockyer's book is about the doctrines of the Bible, we should know what was his view of the Bible itself. It is safe to say he held to the historic Christian view that the Bible is more than man's word. He believed it to be what it is: God's Word, though men were used in the writing of it.

    Chapter two of his book is called, "The Doctrine of a Divine Revelation." This chapter has much good food for thought. It will affirm the reader's  belief in the divine origin of the Bible. Consider some quotes from this chapter:

• "One's attitude toward the Scriptures determines his ability to understand and appreciate the august doctrines they proclaim. If the divine inspiration and veracity of the Bible are rejected, then any system of truth it contains cannot be relied upon."
• "Accepting the Scriptures, then, as the authoritative revelation of the purpose and plan of God, let us consider them as specific revelation, progressive revelation, inspired revelation, and final revelation."
• "We may therefore regard inspiration as a special gift of the Holy Spirit, by which the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles and their companions in the New Testament transmitted the revelation of God as they received it."

Herbert Lockyer's View Of Predestination

      Now that we know Lockyer believed the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, let us consider his view of predestination, which is presented in chapter 12 of his book. The chapter is called, "The Doctrine Of Predestination." In the last 2 paragraphs, Lockyer wrote:

      "A fact to remember is that the Scriptures present the union of divine sovereignty and human responsibility (John 6:37 - 40). There is no contradiction between the two. Walter Scott reminds us that 'Predestination refers to that special character of blessing to which we are set apart. Thus predestinated to adoption (Ephesians 1:5), to have part in Christ's glorious inheritance (verse 11); and to be perfectly conformed to God's Son (Romans 8:29, 30).'

      "What must be born in mind is the fact that predestination is not God's predetermining from past ages who should and who should not be saved. Scripture does not teach this view. What it does teach is that this doctrine of predestination concerns the future of believers. Predestination is the divine determining the glorious consummation of all who through faith and surrender become the Lord's. He has determined beforehand that each child of his will reach adoption, or the 'son-placing' at his resurrection when Christ returns. It has been determined beforehand that all who are truly Christ's shall be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:5)." (Lockyer put some words in italics. In this posting, when I quote Lockyer I will put in italics what he puts in italics. There are other times, too, when italics will be used.)

Herbert Lockyer's View Of The Universality Of Salvation

    Chapter 14 of Lockyer's book is called, "The Doctrine Of Salvation." One division of this chapter is called "The Greatness Of Salvation," and in it he gives reasons why salvation is great. One of his points is this: "Salvation Is Great Because of Its Universality." Here are the 2 paragraphs on this point:

    "Because God so loved the world, and through the finished work of his Son, provided salvation for all the world, He wills all men to be saved. Alas, however, multitudes will not come to Him that they may have life! Irrespective of nationality, position, condition, age or need, God's salvation is for all (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4 - 6; 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 4:14).

     "Such a universality does not mean Universalism, a false system of religious teaching that believes all men are to be saved ultimately. Jesus declared that all who fail to accept Him as Savior must 'perish' (John 3:16) -- a word meaning not annihilation, but eternal banishment from the presence of a thrice holy God. Our Lord's teaching on the finality of hell also proves the falsity of Universalism (Luke 16:19 - 31)."

Herbert Lockyer's View Of Regeneration Or The New Birth

     Chapter 17 of Lockyer's book is called, "The Doctrine Of Regeneration." Christians refer to this subject when they refer to the new birth, or when they refer to being born again. When properly understood, all 3 terms are synonymous. Therefore,  Christians could say they were regenerated when they became a Christian. Or they could say they experienced the new birth at that time. Or they could say they were born again at that time.

     In this chapter, Lockyer covers different points relating to regeneration, a few of which are these: the necessity of the new birth, the agent in the new birth, and the evidences of it.

    Here is what he wrote about the human side of regeneration: "While the Holy Spirit alone can regenerate, He never regenerates alone. On the human side, there are conditions to be observed. There is repentance over the sinful condition the Spirit revealed (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21).There is also faith, which becomes operative as the Spirit presents Christ as Savior (John 1:12; 3:14; 1 John 5:1). The moment faith receives Christ, the miracle of regeneration takes place." 

     Two paragraphs later, Lockyer wrote: "A person had nothing to do with his first birth. He did not will it or enter the world on his own volition. But with the new birth, it is totally different, for a person wills his own salvation or damnation. God never forces the human will (John 7:17). Without the fulfillment of conditions on the sinner's part, God cannot accomplish His part in the impartation of a new life."

Herbert Lockyer's View Of The Scope Of The Atonement

     Chapter 20 of Lockyer's book is called, "The Doctrine Of Reconciliation." The chapter has two main points about the doctrine of reconciliation:

• "The Meaning Of The Term"
• "The Message Of The Truth"

      In his second main point, Lockyer wrote about the scope or the extent of the atonement. But before discussing the scope of the atonement, he wrote this: "Akin to reconciliation is atonement which means satisfaction or expiation made for wrong."

     Then Lockyer wrote about the death of Jesus Christ, and said this: "Through such a death man is reconciled to God ( 1 Peter 3:18). The blood alone maketh an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11; John 1:29; 3:14; II Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). The scope of the atonement is unlimited because Christ's death was a propitiation for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He was a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5,6)."

      Next, Lockyer wrote this: "But while there is provision of atonement for all, such a propitiation only becomes actual in a person as he or she repents of sin and exercises faith in all Christ accomplished on their behalf (John 3:18; Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1,2; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:1)."

In Conclusion

    In conclusion, let once again say that I agree with Lockyer's view on these important doctrines found in the Word of God, which is the Bible. His views have been presented in hope that they will help those who are new to these doctrines. But they are also presented in hope that they will help dispel the fog of confusion that is in the minds of so many persons these days.