Article December 29, 1906 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from W. P. Du Bose, Washington Gladden

[The British Congregationalist.]

There has been of late years a serious reaction against theology, arising largely from the way doctrine has been insisted upon rather than the plain and simple declarations of the Scriptures. The evil arising from this has been increased, leading some to conclude that life and conduct in no degree depend on dogma, and can be promoted and enjoyed without any doctrinal teaching. ... This state of mind has been produced by insisting that the religion of Jesus Christ and his gospel is only contained and expounded in the creeds of the Church, ancient and modern. ... These claims have been made for centuries, with the effect, in recent times, of driving thoughtful and inquiring minds away from all Church connection, producing in them a positive dislike to doctrinal teaching. Such contentions, however, overlook the distinction between doctrine and fact, failing to observe that the one may be imperfect, and must be, but that the other is perfect and true. ... The facts of Christianity are the main factors to be held fast, and when realized in any degree of fulness will produce saving and elevating results. Doctrines depend on the facts, are only their human explanations, and will and ought to change as knowledge and reverence increase. It would be a sign of decay and death if the human explanation of the facts which constitute the historical revelation God has given to the world in and through Jesus Christ were not enlarged, and new views of their content given to a waiting world.

[The (London) Christian Life.]

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