The Sonship and Brotherhood of Believers, by Robert S. Candlish
Robert S. Candlish (1806–1873) revelled in how, because of Jesus Christ, we belong to God’s family. If we are one with the Son, then his Father is our Father, and his Spirit our Spirit. Turning this truth over and over, he examines it from this perspective and that, drawing out the glory of it, the dignity that belongs to us in consequence of it, and the graciousness of our Triune Saviour it displays.
On the subject of adoption, Candlish’s distinctive contribution is his insistence that we are made sons by God’s redemptive grace, rather than being sons by creation or nature, a position which serves to amplify the glorious graciousness of God’s act of placing sinful rebels in his own family. Because we believe in the Son, we become sons of God and hence each other’s brothers.
In these discourses on The Sonship and Brotherhood of Believers, Candlish explores the wording ‘Our Father’ at the opening of the Lord’s prayer, gives an exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s description of the ‘benefits of redemption,’ and discusses God’s gift of ‘grace and glory,’ the holiness of God, and ‘the promise of the Holy Spirit.’ His discourses are lively, rigorous and profound. Never content simply to state a biblical truth, Candlish compels our attention so that the truth will take effect in our hearts, consciences and lives, whether in a fresh appreciation of the freeness of justification or a new insight into the generosity of our Father or an endearing sight of Christ our elder Brother and our fellowship in him with our other brothers.
Candlish was one of the most outstanding Scottish churchmen of the nineteenth century. He supported Thomas Chalmers at the time of the Disruption and for the quarter-century following Chalmers’ death, it was Candlish who was recognised as the most prominent leader in the Free Church of Scotland. He became Principal of New College, Edinburgh and was awarded D.D. degrees from both Princeton College and Edinburgh University. Energetic in church business, generous in support for missionary outreach, and enchanting in debate, he was nevertheless extolled by the brilliant Hugh Martin as ‘the great and fascinating, the powerful, gracious preacher of the ever-blessed grace of God,’ one who Hugh Martin regarded as ‘unsurpassed’ as a preacher in the church in Scotland.
This edition of The Sonship and Brotherhood of Believers opens with a foreword by Rev Ian Macleod which sets Candlish and his work in context.
Paperback, 308pp, £8.50 plus p&p. Place an order.
ISBN 978-1-915777-25-6
Endorsements
Candlish’s discourses leave an indelible mark on both mind and heart. The themes contained in this book occupied much of the meditative thought of this leading Scottish churchman throughout his ministry and his heart was much enlarged by them — the Fatherhood of God, union with Christ, sonship, grace and glory, spiritual brotherhood — and more! A thoughtful read will aid in heart-enlarging for Christ.
— Rev Thomas Buchanan, Brora Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
Laid aside from his people for a season, Candlish has a desire to still be a blessing to them, so he determines to make available to them a book of sermons. To him it seems like a morsel, but what he gives them is nothing less than a feast, a banquet of profound discourses full of Christ and a warm evangelical spirit. Enjoy!
— Rev Harry Woods, Emeritus Lecturer in Practical Theology, Free Church (Continuing) Seminary
Candlish was wrong on the Establishment Principle and advocated critical theories, but few impeached his piety or godliness. In contrast to today’s craving for superficiality, which has engulfed us in legalism and antinomianism, Candlish’s discourses take us to the centrality of who God is and who we are. This book will encourage a focus on Christ, aid the Christian walk, strengthen assurance, and give thoughts of glory.
— Rev Raymond Kemp, Scalpay-Harris Free Church (Continuing)
If you do not know God as your Father in Christ, or if you lack assurance of your sonship, if you struggle to call on God as your Father, or if you desire to know more about what it means to have God as your Father — to know and experience the intensity and tenderness of his love — if you want to know how to teach and preach this blessed doctrine to the church today, then please read, learn, and assimilate this wonderful volume on The Sonship and Brotherhood of Believers.
— Rev Ian Macleod, Pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Grand Rapids
[The first sermon I heard Candlish preach] was such as I had never heard, and had never conceived could be preached. The doctrine was reasoned out with such refinement of thought, and such cogency of argument — such force and clearness — such originality of intellectual action, if not material of thought, presented in language so simple and chaste, while its impressive grandeur and importance were so powerfully made apparent, the personal belief of the preacher all the while manifestly so genuine and deep — that the hearer was enchained, and watched to lose not a single word. But the application of the doctrine was the preacher’s triumph, showing a master’s hand. The doctrine now appeared in another form than as matter for reasoning and exposition. As a living instrument, keen and bright, ‘quick and powerful,’ it was now wielded with amazing skilfulness on the conscience and the heart. … And so it was in all the sermons — only too few — I had opportunity subsequently to hear from him. Revelling, as the preacher did, in wealth of intellect, and genius, and power of nice discrimination, he revelled still more in graciousness of heart — in faithful application of the truth to his hearers’ hearts and consciences — in sudden, startling, brief appeals to the unbelieving — in most wise and most affectionate and tender counsel and consolation to the poor and anxious in spirit — and most magnanimous calls upon the faithful to walk before God without reserve, and with a perfect heart, with ungrudging and ceaseless devotion to their adorable and loving Lord and Redeemer.
— Rev Hugh Martin (1882-1885), author of The Atonement and Christ Victorious.
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