The Marrow Controversy was a theological dispute in the Church of Scotland during the early 18th century regarding the nature and scope of God’s grace and offer of salvation. The controversy centered around a book titled The Marrow of Modern Divinity, first published in 1646 by Edward Fisher. This book espoused a Calvinist view of God’s free grace in salvation, arguing that the gospel offer of Christ is to be freely proclaimed to all sinners. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland took issue with some of the theological positions in The Marrow, seeing them as too accepting of Antinomianism (the view that the moral law is not binding on Christians). After heated debates, the Assembly condemned The Marrow in 1720 and 1722.
The two main doctrinal issues under dispute were the extent of the atonement and the nature of saving faith. The Marrow men, as the defenders of Fisher’s book came to be known, argued for a universal atonement – that Christ died for all people, not just the elect. They believed this gave warrant for a free and unrestricted offer of the gospel to all. Their opponents advocated particular redemption – that Christ died only for the elect. They felt an unrestricted gospel offer implied a universal atonement they could not accept. Regarding faith, the Marrow men saw justifying faith as centrally trust in Christ, which produces works. Their critics defined faith as inherently including works of obedience and repentance.
The Marrow men also objected to legalism in the Scottish church, seeing an undue emphasis on God’s law over His grace. Their opponents believed The Marrow went too far towards antinomianism. After initial attempts at compromise failed, the 1720 Assembly condemned The Marrow andvenant of Works in the Scottish church, seeing an undue emphasis on God’s law over His grace. Their opponents believed The Marrow went too far towards antinomianism. After initial attempts at compromise failed, the 1720 Assembly condemned The Marrow and some of its theological positions. However, the 1722 Assembly went further and condemned the book itself and required all ministers to denounce it.
The twelve Marrow men refused to obey this edict, arguing the Assembly had overreached its authority. Led by Thomas Boston and the Erskine brothers, they continued to preach The Marrow’s theology of free grace and atonement for all. Though marginalized, they gained popular support around Scotland through preaching tours and pamphlets. The controversy died down by the late 1720s but its effects continued, as it paved the way for new threats to the Established Church in the form of independent churches and groups. The Marrow theology also influenced later evangelical movements.
Overall, the Marrow Controversy highlighted deep tensions within Calvinism itself. It centered on an intramural debate over how to maintain God’s sovereignty in salvation while also upholding human responsibility and the free offer of the gospel. The Marrow men arguably provided a more nuanced view of these doctrines, though their opponents believed they compromised core tenets of Calvinism. The dispute played out at the volatile intersection of theology, church authority, and Christian freedom.
Looking more closely at the key figures, writings, theology, and history of this Scottish theological controversy will illuminate its significance for Reformed Christianity. Here are some key points regarding the Marrow Controversy:
Background and Origin of the Controversy
– The Marrow Controversy originated with the republication in 1718 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher. This book, first published in 1646, explained the covenant theology of Calvinism in dialogue form.
– It emphasized God’s free grace and the universal offer of the gospel to all based on Christ’s unlimited atonement. It argued against legalism and that assurance is of the essence of faith.
– The republished Marrow drew opposition from groups in the Church of Scotland associated with neonomianism – the view that the Mosaic law remains binding on believers under the gospel.
– They saw The Marrow as opening the door to antinomianism – rejection of God’s moral law. This sparked a doctrinal debate within the church.
– Thomas Boston and other ministers, called the “Marrow men,” defended The Marrow’s theology of grace against the charges of antinomianism.
The Marrow Men
– Thomas Boston (1676-1732) was one of the most prominent defenders of The Marrow. A respected Scottish minister, he wrote notes on The Marrow that explained its theology.
– Boston was joined by James Hog of Carnock along with the brothers Ralph Erskine (1685-1752) and Ebenezer Erskine (1680-1754). Known as the Erskine brothers, they were influential ministers in the Secession church.
– These men affirmed The Marrow’s teachings on the offer of grace, the nature of faith, the extent of the atonement, and assurance of salvation.
– They rejected neonomianism and the mixing of grace and works, arguing for salvation by grace alone through faith.
Opposition to The Marrow
– Principal John Hadow of St. Andrews University along with other Calvinist leaders opposed The Marrow’s theology as doctrinally unsound.
– They saw its stress on universal atonement, free grace apart from the law, and assurance as leading to antinomianism.
– Legalism and neonomianism had crept into Scottish Calvinism, so there was strong resistance to anything hinting of antinomianism.
– Critics argued The Marrow compromised God’s sovereignty in salvation by implying natural human ability to repent and believe.
– They felt offering Christ’s salvation to all denied God’s particular election of some to salvation, not all.
Key Theological Issues
– Extent of the atonement: Did Christ die for all or only for the elect? The Marrow argued for a universal atonement.
– Nature of saving faith: Is faith just trusting Christ or does it include works of repentance and obedience? The Marrow defined faith as trust in Christ alone.
– Legalism vs. Antinomianism: How are grace and God’s law to be balanced in the gospel? Marrow critics saw its teaching as antinomian.
– Offer of the Gospel: Should the gospel be offered to all indiscriminately or only to those showing signs of election? The Marrow advocated a free, unrestricted offer to all.
– Assurance: Can believers have assurance of salvation in this life or only at the final judgment? The Marrow argued assurance is possible and normal for believers.
The General Assembly’s Action
– The Marrow controversy came before the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly for the first time in 1720.
– The Assembly condemned The Marrow but only vaguely, hoping the Marrow men would acquiesce.
– When Boston and Erskines would not back down, the 1722 Assembly specifically condemned The Marrow itself and required all ministers to denounce it.
– The Marrow men refused and were threatened with discipline, setting up a church split. But the controversy died down without church discipline being enforced.
– In later years, the Secession and Relief churches would arise, influenced by The Marrow’s theology.
Lasting Significance
– The Marrow Controversy highlighted divisions within Calvinism itself regarding the extent of God’s grace.
– It pushed back against legalism and neonomianism to recover a vibrant gospel offer and assurance.
– The Marrow men were early voices extending God’s grace beyond just the elect.
– They were disciplined for this, but later evangelicals like Whitefield and Wesley followed their lead.
– The controversy paved the way for new denominations like the Secession church that would renew the Scottish church.
– It also impacted English evangelicals and foreshadowed coming awakenings and expanding missionary work.
Key Bible Passages
Though directly quoting verses was avoided per the instructions, some key Bible passages behind The Marrow’s theology include:
Isaiah 53:6 – Christ’s atonement for all people, not just the elect
Matthew 11:28 – The free offer of Christ’s salvation for all the weary and burdened
Luke 19:10 – Christ came to seek and save the lost, not just the elect
John 6:37 – Whoever comes to Christ he will never cast out, showing the free offer of salvation
Acts 16:31 – Salvation by faith alone in Christ, without mentioned of repentance or works
Romans 3:22-24 – Justification by faith in Christ as a gift of God’s grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation by grace through faith apart from any works
1 Timothy 1:15 – Christ came to save sinners, without limitation
1 John 5:13 – Assurance of salvation is possible for believers on the basis of Christ’s work.
Conclusion
The Marrow Controversy, though forgotten by many today, was a significant turning point in the development of Scottish Calvinism. It represented an orthodox Reformed reaction against creeping legalism and neonomianism. The Marrow men sought to recover the solas of the Reformation – grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone. Though condemned by the General Assembly, their insistence on a free offer of the gospel to all people aligned them with future currents in the Reformed and evangelical movements. The controversy left an important legacy for Protestant theology on the scope of God’s saving grace.
