"Nothing Between": The Special Doctrines Vindicated at the Reformation as Bearing upon the Spiritual Life of the Church

"Nothing Between" by Edward Hoare is a theological discourse presented as a paper read at a conference of the Craven Evangelical Union, likely written in the late 19th century. This work is a reflection on the special doctrines of the Reformation and their significance for the spiritual life of the Church, specifically highlighting the conflict between the teachings of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. The primary focus of the book is an exploration of salvation, examining how various doctrines interconnect to assert that nothing should mediate between an individual and God. In this paper, Hoare articulates a clear critique of Roman Catholic doctrine, emphasizing key theological points that underpin the Reformation, such as the sufficiency of Scriptures, justification by faith, the spirituality of sacraments, and the completeness of Christ's propitiation for sin. He argues against the necessity of intermediaries like priests and sacramental actions, asserting that believers can have direct access to God. Hoare passionately underscores that these foundational truths lead to a profound understanding that there is "nothing between" the believer and God, thereby allowing for a personal and unmediated relationship with Christ.