p. 6 (38) | Flippant and False

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 21, 1913

Flippant and False

ONE hears much these days like the following: “Heterodoxy showing kindness is a better thing than orthodoxy manifesting indifference.” “I would rather be a heterodox firebrand than an orthodox icicle.” Why such cheap, specious, not to say senseless flings at orthodoxy? Is orthodoxy indifferent and cold? Is heterodoxy warm and kind? Pshaw! If heterodoxy is a truer, better thing than orthodoxy, then heterodoxy becomes orthodoxy. Heretics, it would seem, are determined to make themselves famous for egotism and nonsense. Suppose these admirers and champions of heterodoxy and despisers and defamers of orthodoxy should say: “Error showing kindness is a better thing than truth manifesting indifference.” But this is what they virtually do say in the foregoing quotation. Suppose they should say: “I would rather be a stone giving nourishment than bread causing chills.” But do stones give nourishment? Does bread give chills? While heterodoxy is prating about its kindness and warmth, orthodoxy is patiently, faithfully, and successfully ministering to the world’s pain, and lifting the world Godward.— Word and Way.