Signs of the Times

Merrill C. Tenney

Christian Herald

Dr. Merrill C. Tenney Wheaton College, Illinois
in the Christian Herald
New York, New York

If it is true that the Church is always living within one generation of extinction, it could also be true that it is always living within one generation of victory. ..... Three words can summarize the equipment necessary for victory: authority, vitality, unity. These three qualities are indispensable to success.

Authority is necessary if the Church expects to command attention for its message. The empirical temper of a scientific age is impatient with any sentiment that cannot be substantiated by facts. Tradition is insufficient, for it may be unreliable; experience is inadequate because the feelings and acts of one imperfect man cannot constitute a norm for others. Only the revelation of God in Christ, communicated through the Scripture, can be an adequate guide for thought and action .... All must ultimately return to the fountainhead of truth contained in the Bible. A church that cannot say, "Thus saith the Lord," has lost its spiritual assurance and has substituted speculation for certainty.

On the foundation of definable truth must be built a vital experience. A religion that is only one feature of "gracious living" will hardly produce the vigor necessary to withstand the shocks and doubts of a world in conflict. The vitality of the Church will reside primarily in the moral stamina and spiritual devotion of its members ......

The question of ecumenical union is likely to remain prominent in the immediate future. .... Mechanical union by dilution of convictions can lead only to dissolution of the Church, for there is no future for an organization that has neither strong beliefs nor clear purpose...... Unity is created within the individual members by a common faith and by a common experience of Christ. Historical and national differences fade and doctrinal differences can be resolved amicably when two or more regenerate Christians meet on the basis of final authority in the revelation of God, a transforming experience of salvation and dedication to the commission which Christ gave to His disciples.

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April 4, 1964

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