Abstract
The theology of pastoral care maintained by the Church
of Scotland in the seventeenth century, although complex and involving nearly the whole of Christian doctrine may be summarized
as follows. The elect are redeemed by the unchangable decree of
God before the founding of the world. In a similar fashions the
reprobate are condemned. This salvation or condemnation is accomplished by God alone and no human efforts however powerful or
persuasive# can change the decree. God's justice demands that
the reprobate be given ample opportunity to accept His. offer of
salvation. Go. dis mercy requires -that the elect; otherwise condemned to their natural state of sin and blind to their conditions be called to regeneration, and new life. Therefore, God
calls all men, elect and reprobate-alike, through His Word. The
elect man through the-grace and work of the Holy Spirit hears
the Word and accepts the offer of Christ. The reprobate of his
own free will declines the same offer of'salvation held forth in
the Word and is, therefore guilty of repudiating the Holy
Spirits the unpardonable sin.
Although the effectual calling of the elect is dependent
in no way upon human activity, God has seen fit to use men - especially the ministers of the Word
- as the instruments by which
he calls the elect and allows the reprobate no excuse. Through
the methods of pastoral care - preaching$ administration of the
sacraments, discipline, the private labors of the ministry, and
related activities of the Church
- Christ, the Word of God, is
truly represented to all.
Not only must the elect be called to regeneration, but
because of the weakness of the flesh,, the spiritual life of the
elect and of the Church must be sustained by the Word through
pastoral care.
