Article July 9, 1910 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from T. W. Young, Ralph E. Flanders, R. J. Campbell, W. H. P. Faunce, Theodore Roosevelt, Walter Walsh

[Rev. T. W. Young as quoted in Detroit (Mich.) Times.]

Theology is man's idea of religion, not the thing itself. Old theologies should be smelted like ore and the good extracted to be applied to the needs of today. Do not assume from this that I belittle the old theologies—for arrogance that scoffs at the past is merely vanity; but, one cannot fail to see that people nowadays have little interest in dogma and that the authority of the church is no longer respected. As a divine institution it holds its own, but not as a temple of theology or a fount of ecclesiasticism. Men are anxious to make Jesus Christ king, aside from denominationalism. It is often necessary today to overthrow theology in order to save religion—theology changes, religion never. The Christianity of tomorrow will be lacking in dogmatism, for the public is impatient of the man who has only dogma to defend, but listens reverently to the man who has a truth to present. A gospel that is simple and practical will be the only one listened to in the future. The preacher of today must give up his obsolete phraseology and get down to the vernacular of the day if he is to gain and to hold the ear of the people. The Christianity of tomorrow will be scientific in its method, expression, and application.

[Ralph E. Flanders in Public.]

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