Article December 24, 1910 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from Charles A. Cook, J. H. Jowett, Samuel Parkse Cadman, Orchard

[Churchman.]

The general convention resolved to seek the cooperation of the whole of Christendom in trying to answer the question, What are our relations to all other Christians in the conversion of the world? Our dependence upon the communions of Christendom is thus perfectly acknowledged. The unity of all Christians in Christ is proclaimed, and St. Paul's question, Is Christ divided? becomes the question of the age. And with it inevitably another question arises, If Christ is not divided, how can his discipled be divided? There is but one answer, and the Christian world is feeling and foreseeing what it must be. But it is not yet ready to commit itself by making that answer. Why? Primarily, because of the conviction that that answer must be given in terms of dogma. This, of course, cannot be done now. There is no possibility of its being done soon. To give the only answer, therefore, possible in the sight of God and man, would involve a statement false to conviction, because there is no universal dogmatic agreement. So long as dogma reigns supreme over life in the minds of Christians, the answer will wait, and the world will say with St. Paul that divided disciples witness to a divided Christ. But must dogma always reign? The religions of Christ is the religion of life. "I am the resurrection, and the life." Apostles and disciples preached the power of the resurrection,—not a theory, a philosophy, or a doctrine, but the power of the resurrection over the lives of men. The answer to the greatest question raised by the general convention must be made, and can only be made, as it always has been made, in terms of life.

[Charles A. Cook in Standard.]

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS