Shall We Be Bible Christians, or Scientific Christians?
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
A CORRESPONDENT of the Christian Union, speaking of the new questions that are being raised in theological circles, says: "The church is amply equipped in scholarship to grapple with the problems and vindicate Christianity. Science has compelled new explanations of some passages, and there may be still other modifications in store for us." This was given, with approval, as the sentiment of an eminent clergyman of Hartford, Conn. The two points of the quotation are significant. First, the idea that scholarship alone is sufficient to grapple with and overthrow the objections that are raised against Christianity. Well did the apostle say that "knowledge puffeth up." It is safe to say that there is just as much scholarship in the world as there is in the church. Now if we depend on human wisdom alone, what better off are we than our opponents. The case of Stephen is in point. We are not to suppose that there were no learned men among those who disputed with him; men who were his equals in scholarship. And yet "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake." Not because he depended on his learning, but because he had the Spirit of God, and besides this, he was "full of faith." Had he doubted the Scriptures in the least, or been willing to yield a portion of the ground to his opponents, he would have been overcome. And this brings to view the next point, viz., that "Science has compelled new explanations of some passages." Now who can remember hearing any popular preacher say that the Bible has compelled the modification of certain theories of science? Such a thing is unknown. We must conclude, then, that modern Christianity sets more store by science (so-called) than by the Bible. It matters not that the Bible is always consistent with itself, and always tells the same story, and that scientific men are not agreed with each other, nor with their own speculations of a few years ago. That all goes for nothing, but the Bible must agree with everything that is called science or else be ignored. Can such men really believe that the Bible is inspired, that they are willing to accept the conclusions of avowed infidels in preference to its teachings? And this is not the worst; they hold themselves ready to yield any other point. "There may be still other modifications in store for us." No doubt there will be, and in their loyalty to science they will gladly make them; and the multitude will blindly follow their leaders. What vagaries in religion may we not reasonably expect, when the word of God is so lightly regarded? It is a comforting thought to the humble disciple, that "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." The only hope of a pure Christianity is in humble obedience to the plain, simple word of God. "Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 66:1, 2. E. J. W.