Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 33:129 (Jan 1876)
Article: On The Question Of The Divine Institution Of Sacrifice
Author: Calvin E. Park

BSac 33:129 (Jan 1876) p. 102

On The Question Of The Divine Institution Of Sacrifice

Rev. Calvin E. Park

[A series of Articles on the subject of sacrifice was commenced in the Bibliotheca Sacra for January, 1859. The first Article gives the theories contained in the somewhat celebrated work of William Outram, which was written originally in Latin, and was printed at Amsterdam in 1688. This Article contains a brief discussion of the origin of sacrifices in general, and favors the theory that they were derived not from an express divine command, but from the operations of our own moral instincts. In regard to the origin of Jewish sacrifices in particular, Outram takes the ground that God instituted them with the design of foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Article then gives Outranks account of the various kinds of sacrifices which were used and their accompanying rites, of the places in which they were to be offered, and of the priesthood to which was specially assigned the duty of presenting them. The idea is then dwelt upon at considerable length, that Mosaic sacrifices were typical of Christ’s death, that they had exclusive reference to God; were not designed merely to express the feelings of the worshipper, but to affect the mind of Jehovah — were, indeed, of the nature of vicarious punishments, and intended to accomplish the same purposes that real punishments have in view. Christ’s death was a real sacrifice, and was efficacious as a condition of pardon because it was a vicarious punishment.

The second Article appeared in October, 1870. It states the views of Bahr in his Symbolik. It first gives an account of the matter of sacrifices, the object which was offered, and of the attendant rites. This is followed by a statement of the purposes which sacrifices were intended to accomplish.

BSac 33:129 (Jan 1876) p. 103

According to Bahr they had as their intended results, the creation, or rather the restoration, of a fellowship between God and man. The blood of the offered animal is its life, and it is offered on the altar in the place of the life of the worshipper. The animal-life of the worshipper, Bahr represents as the root of selfishness, the principle of sin. By sacrificing this, sin is removed and fellowship with God is restored.

The third Article was published in the number for January, 1871. It gives an exposition of the theory advocated by Dr. John Spencer. Sacrifices are not to be traced, he maintains, to a divine command, nor are they to be regarded as positively approved by Jehovah. The origin of them is to be ascribed, rather, to the gross modes of thinking which have always been common among pagan nations. Sacrifices were permitted to be incorporated into the Jewish ritual simply as an act of indulgen...