The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. Dale—Conditionalism Makes Christian Fundamentals Invulnerable

ROBERT WILLIAM DALE, D.D. (1829-1895), Congregationalist leader of Birmingham, England, and acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic as a pillar of evangelical Christianity, was a recognized scholar and front-rank theologian. He was, in fact, the principal representative of English nonconformity of his day, his theological works being widely consulted. Dale studied theology at Spring College, Birmingham, but received his M.A. from the University of London in 1853. CFF2 391.2

Picture 3: Dr. Robert W. Dale, Carr’s Lane Congregational Church, Birmingham
Carr’s Lane Congregational Church, Birmingham—scene of Dr. Dale’s epochal ministry. Inset: Dr. Robert W. Dale (d. 1895), president of International Congregational Union—conditionalism strengthens Christian fundamentals.
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His ministry was unique in that he was pastor of one church in one city all his ministerial life. Becoming copastor of the renowned Carr’s Lane Congregational church of Birmingham in 1854, and sole pastor in 1859, he remained in that post until his death in 1895. In 1863 he studied further in Heidelberg, and was lecturer on philosophy and homiletics at Spring College. CFF2 392.1

Possessed of a well-disciplined mind, he became a preacher and writer of distinction. His pulpit at Carr’s Lane grew in influence, and he had the ear of the great. Known as a careful thinker and a competent critic, Dale was recognized as the leading man of his community. To spread his helpfulness he instituted a church extension plan, with branch congregations in neighboring towns. He was invited to transfer his ministry to other congregations, but his church refused to release him, and he remained. And in 1869 he was honored with the chairmanship of the Congregational Union of England and “ Vales. CFF2 392.2

In 1873 Dale toured Egypt and Palestine, and in 1877 the United States, where he gave the Yale lectures on preaching, and received a D.D. degree. And in 1883, at the University of Glasgow, he was capped as an LL.D. Not until then was he willing to be called Doctor, and he was averse to the designation “Reverend.” In 1887 he traveled and preached in Australia. CFF2 392.3

As a theologian Dale exerted a wide influence, and he was a powerful platform speaker and controversialist. He edited The Congregationalist from 1872 to 1878, and had seventeen major volumes to his credit, notably those on the atonement and the Pauline Epistles. ⁷ His theological works were studied by Anglican and Free Churchmen alike. He declined the principalship and chair of theology at New College, feeling himself to be primarily a preacher. He was a theological pioneer of the open Bible—“Back to the Source of Faith” being his favorite maxim. CFF2 393.1

1. HIGHEST HONOR WITHIN GIFT OF CONGREGATIONALISM

In 1891 Dale was chosen president of the first International Congregational Council, the highest honor within the gift of his denomination. He held rigidly to the sanctity of the church and the separation of church and state, and contended that public money should not be used for teaching religion. That was the responsibility of the churches. On the Sunday after his death, in churches of all denominations—and notably in St. Paul’s, by the archdeacon of London, and in Westminster Abbey, by Canon Gore—he was lauded as a great leader, a clear thinker, and one of the outstanding theologians of his age. Such was his standing. CFF2 393.2

2. PUBLIC STAND ON CONDITIONALISM IN 1873

As early as 1873, while traveling in Egypt and the Holy Land, and after much study, Dale first rejected the dogma of eternal conscious torment of the wicked, and definitely adopted Conditionalism. Upon his return to Britain he committed himself publicly to the Fife Only in Christ position in his message as chairman to the Congregational Union of Britain. And it is to be particularly noted that the knowledge of this stand in no way handicapped his elevation to the presidency of the international union. CFF2 393.3

Dale likewise took a strong stand against Universal Restorationism, which was then growing in popularity. He stamped it as devoid of all solid foundation, considering it unthinkable that it should become a valid article of Christian faith. This he repeated later in his address at the anniversary service for Dr. Edward White, in I87’7, upon the tatter’s completing twenty-five years at Hawley Road Chapel. CFF2 394.1

Dr. Dale’s open and consistent Conditionalism did much to silence the misrepresentation and slander that in religious circles had frequently been directed against believers in Life Only in Christ. He never hesitated to make known his convictions, and deplored the general evasion of the subject. In fact, back in 1875 he wrote the preface for Dr. Petavel’s La Fin du Mal (republished in English as, Struggle for Eternal Life), thus bringing to that work the backing of his weighty name and influence. CFF2 394.2

3. CONDITIONALISM STRENGTHENS FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH

Dr. Dale maintained that revision of view of a major doctrine, as with Conditionalism, involves reorganization of its relationship to all other major doctrines. But he staunchly held that Conditionalism, instead of enfeebling the fundamentals of Christian faith and doctrine, made them all the more conclusive and invulnerable. The traditional theory of endless sin and suffering, he held, had lost its authority. CFF2 394.3