Comments on Modern 1689 Confession: Chapter 6

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I looked at ...

2010-02-20T07:30:41.550-08:00

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I looked at the dictionary.com definition -- to attribute or ascribe -- and I don't really see the problem with "account". In fact, "account" has a legal connotation that I think may be clearer theologically than "to attribute or ascribe". The word "impute" is often used in modern parlance of an informal and often erroneous attribution (as in "he imputed evil motives to me"), whereas "account" seems to imply more of a justified basis for it. I'm open to further discussion or clarification though. My basic question is what theological concept "account" compromises or obscures.

"theologically precise" that is... Wow... that wa...

2010-02-19T09:01:10.848-08:00

"theologically precise" that is... Wow... that was good...

Regrading the substitution of "accounted" for impu...

2010-02-19T04:04:28.776-08:00

Regrading the substitution of "accounted" for imputed in paragraph 3: Though the word impute is not that common in our day, it seems to be the best word to describe both the imputation of Adam's sin to all men and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to beleivers (Romans 5). Though Dictionary.com does list "impute" as a synonym for "account" it is listed among so many other different and more common definitions for that term. Impute, according to dictionary.com, gets right to the heart of the word for readers who need to look it up.

Conclusion: I think it might be clearer and more theolodically precise to leave the word "imputed" rather than substitute it with "accounted."

Hope this helps.

I am really enjoying your version of the confession and am using it regularly in SS class here.

Adam Davies
Trinity Baptist Church
Catkskill, NY
518 678-3133

–verb (used with object)
16.to regard; consider as: I account myself well paid.
17.to assign or impute (usually fol. by to): the many virtues accounted to him.