Jaly 15, 1955 Vol. 24. No. 7
'!he ~4zaimt- GIJABDIAN
God doth continue to forgive the sins ofthose that are justified; and; although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they m{l,y, by their sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble them 1 •J selves, confess theirsins, begpardon, i and renew their faith and repen t ance. Westminster Confession XI.5
J. Gresham Machen Published Monthly Editor 1936 - 1937 $2.50 per year I I i Meditation I And the infinite distance between him hood of God does not lead to contempt , and his world is the thing that makes for his deity. Rather do we pray as we l him distinctly holy. ought when we can say with all our Our Chief Request Hence the sin of idolatry. It is an hearts, "Father, hallowed be thy name." "Hallowed be thy name." attack upon the pure holiness of God. HENRY P. TAVARES -MATTHEW 6:9. It is the attempt to pour the creator into the moulds of creation. It is to A name is a great convenience. It limit the Almighty to the conditions of Robley Johnston identifies people for us far more effec time and space. Whenever your god can CE Secretary tiv:ly than long detailed descriptions, be weighed in a scale, measured with a HE REV. ROBLEY J. JOHNSTON, which would often prove misleading ~uler, and placed in a corner, it is an T pastor of Calvary Orthodox Pres and would frequently be misunder Idol. If you can date his birth and byterian Church in Middletown, Penna., stood. beginning, he is an idol. If you can has been caIIed to became general secre The names we give each other are tie his hands and feet by the laws of tary of the denomination's Commit not very much more than tags. They nature, he is an idol. If you can take tee on Christian Education. At a con are simplified means of identification. him in fully within the bounds of your gregational meeting on July 3, the And they tell very little about us. They mental powers, he is an idol. And you members of Calvary voted to concur hardly describe us. worship him at your peril. in the pastor's request for dissolution It is not so with God. His name is God is holy. That is his name. And of the pastoral relationship, in order descriptive because it is intended to be it must be our chief concern to honor that he might accept the call. revelarional, It tells us what he is, and his glory. Our entire existence should what he has shown himself to be by his be a grand anthem of praise to the works. It is his self-disclosure, his self eternal God in whom we live and move Ellis Called to Silver Spring revelation. and have our being. HE REV. CHARLES H. ELLIS, pas In the name of God, one thing Neglect of him, indifference toward T tor of Covenant Orthodox Pres stands out above everything else. God him, contempt of him are but different byterian Church of East Orange, N.J., is holy. This is the word all the letters degrees of an attitude insulting to him. has been called by the congregation of spell. Put the syllables together and But so important and so becoming is it Knox Church, Silver Spring, Md., to be sound them in their unity, and you will ro be zealous for the name of God that come its pastor. He will succeed the know the cry of the seraphim, "Holy, Jesus teaches us to make it our first Rev. Glenn R. Coie, who has been pas Holy, Holy, is the Lord God of hosts." concern in prayer. That God's divine tor of Knox Church for a number of God is holy in being wholly free glory might be recognized, accepted, years, but has now become pastor of from sin. The Olympian crowd of and everywhere adored should be our First Church in Long Beach, Calif. deities was a perverse human invention first interest. Meanwhile, Covenant Church, which fabricated at the instigation of hell. This is but an application of the law last year sold the property it had used And their imagined conduct plainly ro have no other gods-the first com in East Orange, has voted to buy the showed it. God is flawless. Should not mandment. And it reminds us that in corner property at the intersection of the Judge of all the earth do right? all our asking of God we should be Springdale and Glenwood Avenues in Yet it is only a part of the truth that chiefly interested in his praise. So far East Orange, with a view to erecting God is separate from sin. He is separate is it from the true spirit of piety to a church building. The Building Com from the sinner. He is separate from storm the gates of heaven with mittee of the church is busily engaged man. He is separate from angels. He demands that we refuse to be denied, in preparing plans regarding the type is separate from all the world that he that it is rather a display of gross of building to be erected. It is hoped has made. God is God. He has neither presumption. It is a "me first" attitude construction can begin at an early equals nor superiors. There is none be that cannot be reconciled with the date. side him. He is in a class of his own, true love of God and our Lord's doc and wholly other than everything else trine of prayer. Correction that exists. And he is infinitely above Also condemned is a certain familiar UR REPORT in the previous issue all. ity with God that some seem to think O concerning Westminster gradu God is everywhere, and his wisdom, is of the essence of the intimacy he ate Henry Fikkert was inaccurate. Mr. power, and glory are everywhere dis allows us. A glimpse of his glory has Fikkert is at Knox Church, Silver played. Yet he is not the world, nor any moved rhe greatest saints to fall upon Spring, for the summer, and this fall part of it. His omnipresence is itself their faces, "lost in wonder, love, and will become teacher in the 7th and an expression of his transcendence, for praise." And should we decry dignity Sth grades of Camden County Chris only because he is wholly other can he and respectability in our approach to tian Day School. He will share this be everywhere. God is everywhere. But him, in favor of cheapness, crudeness responsibility with another teacher, and he is neither absorbed nor manifested and brashness? his primary work will be the 8th in his handiwork. Creation is not con In the teaching of our Lord, a holy grade. The report that he would be version. It is not the remaking of the zeal for God's transcendant glory is not come principal was incorrect. Miss divine essence. God's distinctive iden out of keeping with the knowledge of Alice Anderson is principal of the tity is ever untouched and untouchable. him as Father. And to know the Father- school. We apologize for this error.
The Presbyterian Guardian is published monthly by the Presbyterian Guardian Publis~ing Corporation, 728 Schaff Building, 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Po., at the follOWing rates, payable ,n advance for either old or new sub scribers ,n any part of the world, postage prepaid: $2.50 per year; $1.00 for four months; 25~ per Single copy. Entered as second class matter March 4,1937, at the Post Office at Philadelphia, under the Act of March 3, 1879. 98 The Presbyterian Guardian THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN JULY 15, 1955
The Work of the Church
A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION has been raised by cil, delegates from the Bible Presbyterian Church recent developments in the Bible Presbyterian sought to have the Council's constitution changed so Church. That question concerns the proper work of that the church would elect its representatives to the the organized church. executive committee of the Council, and thus have The Bible Presbyterian Church was organized in a specific responsibility in determining Council 1937 by the Rev. Carl McIntire and others who policy. But the Bible Presbyterian delegates were the withdrew from the (later named) Orthodox Pres only ones who supported this position, and they were byterian Church over such issues as premillenialism later denounced by McIntire in the Beacon. and Christian liberty. There was in existence then the Another development that was in part also re Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Mis lated to this, was the division in Highland college sions. McIntire gained control of this agency and has this past spring, when the president, a number of since dominated it. It has remained independent, professors and a majority of the students left the however, of official Bible Presbyterian control. Also college. in the spring of 1937 McIntire and others established The opposition to the McIntire leadership came Faith Seminary. This has likewise been independent to a head at the meeting of the Bible Presbyterian of Bible Presbyterian control, though constituting a Synod, a few weeks ago, when the Synod voted to part of that movement. start an official church paper, to set up under certain Since then other agencies have been organized, conditions an official church college, and to enlarge or have served the Bible Presbyterian movement. its committee on Christian Education and employ a One of the chief of these has been the Christian full time secretary. These actions were opposed by Beacon, a weekly publication which McIntire has McIntire and others, and in turn McIntire has now used to further his endeavors. Others have been the repudiated the whole idea of church controlled American Council of Christian Churches, and the boards, agencies and committees, and has gone so International Council. There has also been Shelton far as to set up an Independent Board for Presby College in northern New Jersey, and Highland Col terian Home Missions, in direct competition with his lege in Pasadena. All of these agencies have been church's own Committee for National Missions. associated with the so-called "Twentieth Century Also at the Synod meeting the McIntire group Reformation," the unofficial name McIntire has set up a "Committee for True Presbyterianism," given his whole program. whose purpose is to bring information to members For the Bible Presbyterian Church's part, there of the Bible Presbyterian Church. This Committee was established early a Committee for National Mis promptly issued volume 1 number 1 of a paper sions, an official agency of the church, to promote its called The Free Press, containing six articles all extension in this country. There were also certain written by Dr. Allan MacRae, president of Faith other official committees concerned with different Seminary. The argument of this paper was through areas of the church's work. out that church-controlled boards and agencies are wrong, are unscriptural and unconstitutional, and In recent years, and months, there has been that the Bible Presbyterian Church in proceeding growing dissatisfaction in Bible Presbyterian circles along the line of increasing the number of church with some of the independent agencies. This dis controlled agencies had undergone an overwhelming satisfa.ction has been featured by a demand for a ~hange. MacRae says, "A course has begun which, larger voice on the part of the church in activities If continued, must inevitably mean a complete it was supposed to support. change in the nature of our church." At the Spring convention of the American Coun- (Continued on next page)
July 15, 1955 99 MacRae's argument is at points very Sorry! Book by VanTil strange. He says that "presbyrerianism" means "rule by elders." "Presbyterians It appears that through an error new book by Dr. Cornelius Van have always insisted that the power in a number of copies of the May is A Til, Professor of Apologetics at the church belongs to the people." But sue of the Guardian were sent out Westminster Theological Seminary, en titled The Defense of the Faith, has then he proceeds to argue that when at the time of the June mailing. the people, through their elders dele recently been published by the Presby gated to a Synod, set up committees to We still have copies of the June terian and Reformed Publishing Com carry on mission work and the like, issue, and will be glad to send them pany. they have violated presbyrerianism and to any who received the May issue Dr. VanTil has, during the past two have moved on toward "prelacy." So a second time. Please let us know. years, been under critical attack from a long as the committees and agencies number of sources, including some who are independent and are set up by a few profess to be adherents of the tradi (e. g., by Mcintire, MacRae and a few tional Reformed Faith. There was a ser others) and are in agreement with the with that Council, the question of whet ies of articles in the Calvin Forum about policies of the American Council, they her they are "Presbyterian," "Baptist," a year ago, which attempted to show are presumably truly presbyterian, but "independent" or something else will errors in VanTil's system of apologetics. .. when they are set up by the church be quite immaterial. Every one will be In small pamphlets VanTil has made synod to do the bidding of the church, relatively free to do that which is right some reply to these criticisms. But now they are no longer "presbyterian" but in its own eyes. So long as these new he has issued a book designed to give tend in the direction of "prelacy," of congregations are composed of people a full exposition of his views as to the bureaucracy, and mark a radical change who are dissatisfied with their own proper method of defending the Chris in the character of the church. denominations, whatever the reason, tian faith against unbelievers and Without dealing further with these and will separate from them and support against those who have a non-Reformed details, we cannot ignore the fact that a the American Council and its aims, they view of Christianity. In the course of this book he also reviews and replies new element has entered the American will be acceptable fruit for the new to many of the criticisms that have been Presbyterian picture which will only Independent Board. bring confusion. While we do not sup The situation is certainly not going made. The book appears to be very read port the idea of church-controlled col to be any easier for those who have a able, and should go a long way to leges, general publications, or agencies high idea of the nature of the church, clearing the air. It may be ordered in the social and political field, we do and a high regard for its doctrinal through The Presbyterian Guardian. maintain that missionary work, whether integrity. We do believe that there are The price is $4.95. home or foreign, is the proper work of many in Presbyterian churches through the organized church, and should be out the country who are not happy carried on by the organized church over their local or denominational con No August Issue under church control. The church is set nections, because of doctrinal or ethical in this world to bear witness to Christ, vagueness. Many of these people would HE next issue of the Guardian will to proclaim the gospel, and to be the in undoubtedly be far happier in a church T appear in September. In line with strument in God's hand for the exten connection where they knew they were our policy of keeping costs to the mini sion of His kingdom. And the end of being taught the truth as it is in Scrip mum, and to provide somewhat of a all missionary effort can only be the ture, and were supporting mission activ vacation, the August and September establishment of additional local ities in harmony with that truth. But issues will be combined. churches in fellowship with the parent these people do not know where to go body. or what to do. What then will an "independent" The impetus provided by this new agency for home missions do. Under the agency may lead many of these people ~litimt.- energetic direction it will doubtless have, to start out on a new pathway, expect % this new agency will certainly seek to ing to find new and solid associations. GUARDIAN We fear they will be in time sadly dis establish congregations wherever it can 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia %, Pa, find adherents. But with what parent illusioned. The American Council does body will these congregations be asso not offer that doctrinal coherence which ciated. The Board calls itself "Presby is needed for true spiritual fellowship. We would sincerely invite those who terian" but the relationship of McIntire Leslie W. Sloat and the Bible Presbyterian church at have found their own church connec present leads one to suspect that there tions to be unsatisfactory, to consider Editor and Manager will be no great desire to have new whether the Orthodox Presbyterian churches brought into fellowship with Church, committed to historic Presby that denomination. terianism in solid agreement with the John P. Clelland Concerning the new agency it was Westminster Confession and Catech Arthur W. Kuschke, Jr. said that its position would be in har isms, does not hold the hope of a lasting Robert S. Marsden mony with that of the American Coun spiritual association that will satisfy the cil. This suggests that so long as new deepest longings of the troubled spirit. ContributiRlf Editon congregations formed are in agreement 1. W.S.
100 The Presbyterian Guardian some of the greatest of our philosophers 01 spoken of the Jews as a race with reli The Chrisl The Scripl.res gious genius, "with a feeling for the law as proceeding from a holy God?" By C. VAN TIL Surely we all need authority in the field of religion. And no doubt Jesus was the greatest religious authority that ECAUSE OF ITS general interest, we belled against God and that they daily ever lived. B are glad to bring to our readers the add to their sins; therefore they cannot Hence why should not this young address which ProfessorVan Til, Chair be saved from this their sin by their preacher preach to us of Jesus and him man of the Faculty of Westminster own good works, or by any form of crucified for our sins? Has not modern Seminary, delivered to the graduating suffering or punishment that they might psychology taught that deep in our sub class of the Seminary at the Commence endure, but only through the death of consciousness there are instincts and ment in May. Christ upon the cross. drives which we cannot control through Then you will bring the good glad our reason? Why should we not seek tidings that Christ Jesus died upon the supernatural aid for the solution of the OU ARE ABOUT TO GO FORTH to cross that sinners might be saved from personality conflicts and tensions com Y preach Jesus Christ and him cru this their folly and their sin. In the mon in our day? cified. At the same time you will preach words of Ezekiel, you will say for the As for the resurrection, do we not Jesus and the resurrection. In this you Lord: "Have I any pleasure at all that all rejoice at Easter season in the return are following in the footsteps of Paul the wicked should die? saith the Lord to life of a nature that seemed dead? the Apostle. And following his admon God, and not that he should return Is not this a symbol of what may take ition, you aim to be steadfast, unmov from his ways and live ... As I live, place in the realm of personality also? able, always abounding in the work of saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure Of course the law of decay reigns in the the Lord. in the death of the wicked, but that realm of bodily existence. But is there You are anxious to begin your work. the wicked turn from his way and live; not the realm of the spirit, and is not Your are full of zeal and enthusiasm to turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, Jesus the symbol of those who with him build up the church in the most holy for why will ye die, a House of Israel?" rise from the dead into newness of faith and to bring the Saviour to a Or in the words of Isaiah, "Come unto life? dying world. What else can we as a me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the faculty do at this moment, but wish earth: for I am God, and there is none So we rejoice that this young man is you godspeed on this your way, which else." Or again, in the words of Peter, preaching Jesus Christ and him cruci is surely the way of the Lord? "The Lord is not slack concerning his fied, and the resurrection. We rejoice Indeed, there is nothing more we promise as some men count slackness, that he calls us image bearers of God. can do. Yet permit us to say once more, but is longsuffering to usward, not Most of all we rejoice that he offers briefly and solemnly, what you already willing that any should perish, but that us a remedy for our personality con have heard from us many times. all should come to repentance." flicts and failures in the victory through Jesus Christ the son of God and son of Your Message The First Response man. Through and in him the forces of divinity are let loose within us and You are going to preach Jesus Christ What will be the response to this within the world so that all will be well and him crucified. You wish to know your preaching? The first response will in the end-if not fully in this life nothing else among men. You are go perhaps be favorable to you and to your then at least in some far off divine ing to proclaim Jesus and the resurrec message. Both in the church and in the event. tion. But where did you learn about community you will be welcomed. this Jesus Christ? Who is this Christ? People will like your enthuiasm, your If now you meditate on this first Why are you so anxious to tell men manifest devotion to the work. They reaction to your preaching of Christ about him? Your reply may well be in will think well of your labors--- July 15, 1955 . 101 God to be the Creator and controller of possible. It is the great physician who rnent due them for their guilt they will the world. For all their interest in the must diagnose our sickness. We our be eternally lost, cast into outer dark "supernatural," in the feeling for the selves will not admit that sin is sin ness. They take this to be a symbol of "wholly other," and with all their re against the holy God in the sense in the fact that the human individual and spect for the minister as an expert in which Scripture teaches. How could we the race collectively must realize more dealing with the unknown, they keep know this as long as we take for grant deeply than is ordinarily done that it thinking that after all he too has no ed that we cannot really know anything takes a great struggle for a man to be information about what may take place of God at all?If God is for us by de come what he ought to become acord after men pass from this world's scene. finition that which is "wholly other," ing to the ideals of the greatest of the So "Jesus" is to them, and they think wholly unknown and unknowable, then race,-especially to become what that to the preacher also, nothing more than sin is not sin against God. Sin is mean greatest of all, Jesus, has told us we a high and noble ideal, a pattern after ingless if it is something in relation to ought to become. To become well-in which men may well mould their lives, a God of whom one can know nothing tegrated personalities, and to have a since they feel that somehow it is bet at all. really orderly society, more attention ter to live moral than immoral lives. So then you may tend to become dis must be given than has ever been given Discouragement couraged and disheartened. You find before to the renovation of the internal that in all the words you use men tend motifs of human personality. In short, Note well, I am not saying that there to put different meanings. You seem they have understood your preaching will not be those who from the begin to have lost communication with men. about God not wishing the death of the ning will understand what you mean The situation appears like that at sinner, and about Christ weeping over and will rejoice in what you preach be the tower of Babel. You speak of God Jerusalem and desiring that her chil cause it is the truth about God and man. as the creator of men; they understand dren might be gathered together as a But I am thinking now of the reaction you to mean God as a higher aspect of hen gathereth her chicks, to mean, that you are likely to get in much of the the universe out of reach of human God and Christ, and particularly the church and in all of the community, knowledge. You speak of the mind of Christ of the Cross and the Resurrec except for those who through the regen man being darkened because of the tion, will do all they can to help you erating grace of God have seen them fall so that as a sinner man cannot see realize the potentialities toward divinity selves to saved by the atoning blood be things as they are apart from the grace that are latent in every man. of Christ, who know themselves to be of God. They understand you to mean the children of the resurrection and to something like that which Plato meant Your Renewed Attempt have been justified and adopted into the when he spoke of men being, as it were, In view of this misunderstanding FOU family of the redeemed of God. because of their finitude, in a cave see So discouragement is likely to come seek more earnestly to preach the Christ ing only a glimmer of light. You say of the Scriptures. You delineate him when you begin to realize that there that because of sin men's wills are ob has been this deep misunderstanding. even more sharply than you did before. durate and opposed to God, and that Perhaps you will feel that the fault has You stress the fact that when the Scrip their disposition, except for the grace tures say that God has no delight in been in part if not largely with your of God, is to hate God and their fellow self. You plan to make more plain, the death of the wicked, this does not man. They understand you to mean that more simple and more inescapable the mean God will not punish sinners who man has leftovers of his animal ances do not repent. You recall instead the picture of Christ according to the try remaining as he emerges from the Scripture. You seek to make more ex words, "these shall go away into ever past. You say, in short, that man is lasting punishment; but the righteous plicit why it is that you take Scripture dead in trespasses and sins and that to be what it claims to be in the ori except Jesus bear for them the punish- (See "Van Til" p. 107) ginal, the very Word of God. You show men how Christ himself took himself and his work to be that which it was pictured as being according to the Scripture. Jesus himself took this Scripture, this .Judais.. Today Old Testament, to be the direct and By EDWARD J. YOUNG clear revelation of God about man in his relation to his Maker. And you show how the Christ of Scripture him HAT 00 THE JEWS BELIEVE? will do well to read it. self spoke through Scripture, explain WWhat are the Orthodox Jews? On the whole we think that Life ing to his people who he is and what What is the Zionist movement? These has done a good job. We must con is the nature of his work for their and many other questions are answered fess that we were somewhat taken redemption. How could we know who in a recent issue of Life (June 13, aback when we read that "Probably Christ is and what we ourselves are, 1955). The article in which these late in the Sixth Century B.c., both what it means that we are the creatures questions are discussed is one in a the Mishna and the Gemara were of God made in his image, and what series of several on the great religions finally committed to paper. The result it means that -we are sinners, unless of the world. This particular article is known as the Talmud." (p. 98). We God himself tells us these things? Are is accompanied by a number of excel hope that this is merely a typographical we to know all this from experience? lent pictures and illustrations, and any error, and that the writer meant A.D. In the nature of the case that is im- one who wishes to learn about Judaism instead of B.c. Also, this statement 102 The Presbyterian; Guardian makes no distinction between the we feel that the article in Life is not If it is an expression of faith in Christ, Jerusalem and the Babylonian Tal clear. And there is another point at it is acceptable to God; if it is not, muds, and we might also raise other which it is not only not clear but is then it is not acceptable. We have been questions. But this is a comparatively quite silent. It says nothing about the dismayed by the notable lack of men minor matter. rejection on the part of the Jewish tion of Jesus Christ as the only Re Under one of the illustrations we people of the Lord Jesus Christ. And deemer on the part of those who in read, "MOURNFUL ISAIAH prays to because it is silent on this matter it public life have offered prayers. God during the Babylonian captivity cannot, and we feel, does not, adequ At any rate we feel that since the when the Jews were conquered and ately describe the religious nature of Jews have turned away from Christ in taken off from Judah-" (p. 97). Judaism today. that they have rejected Him as the true Then follows a quotation of Isaiah The sad fact is that the Jews in Messiah they are now without God in 59: 10 and lla. Isaiah of course never rejecting Christ have also rejected God. the world. We deeply admire their lived during the Babylonian captivity. They are not therefore true monothe insistence upon ethics and high moral This is not the place in which to en ists. And no matter how often they standards, but what the Jews today gage in a discussion of the problem of repeat the words of Deuteronomy, need more than all else is a Savior the authorship of the book of Isaiah, "Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord our God, from sin. but the statement in the description the Lord is One," they are not true Hence, we believe that the best way under the illustration is to say the least theists, for they have turned aside from in which to manifest our love to the a misleading one. the true God. Jew and the best way in which to l What is Judaism? A Hard Statement oppose the heinous evil of anti-Semi It may seem to the reader that this tism is to present to him the Gospel. The sub-heading of the article says, is a strong statement to make, and that For Christ is a Savior who can meet "Monotheism and a Passion for Ethics in making it we are very unfriendly all the needs of the Jew as well as of Guide the Ancient Faith Which Seeks toward the Jews. Such, however, is not the Gentile. The article in Life which to Sanctify Life and Lead Toward God." the case. We have nothing but the we are discussing gives the impres The voice or the heart of Judaism highest respect for the Jews. Many of sion that many Jews are discovering can be heard in one sentence, "Hear, them we know and deeply admire, but that all they have is not sufficient o Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord the greatest need of Judaism is to be unless it rests upon Mount Sinai. Even is One." In the article stress is rightly told the truth, and we can manifest our this however, is not sufficient, for laid upon the work of Moses, who is love for the Jews only when we tell nothing can truly rest upon Mount said to have glimpsed the idea of them the truth. In America today this Sinai unless it also rest upon Mount monotheism. This is also said to have is not a popular business. Weare liv Calvary. One cannot have the God of been a revelation. Now, it is precisely ing ata time when it is somewhat fash Sinai unless one come to Him through at this point that the Christian would ionable and popular to give expression His Son. "No man cometh unto the begin to raise questions. What is meant to religion. The President has offered Father but by me," said the One Whose by revelation? To this question the prayers, and others are following suit, words are the very truth. Christian has a ready answer. By a and we are in a state of mind where Our deepest desire for Israel should revelation of God to Moses the Chris we think that every manifestation of be that it might be saved. May God be tian means, for he believes that this is religion on the part of an individual is pleased to use us all to pray more what the Old Testament also means necessarily something praiseworthy. earnestly for the salvation of the Jews that the one true God, who IS, actually For our part we are not much en and for the preaching of the Name of made known His ways unto Moses. couraged by this apparent revival of Christ in their midst. In Him and only In other words, God spake to Moses religion. Whether it is genuine or not, in Him is their hope, and the hope of and by speaking to Moses, God com only God knows, but He does know. any sinner. municated information to him. It is in order to speak of Moses' vision only in so far as we do not obscure the fact that this vision found its origin not ''The Doc.riae 01 God ••• " in the depths of Moses' being but By LAWRENCE N. MANROSS rather was a revelation from God. In our opinion the article in Life is very weak at this point. This is the concluding portion of the these endeavors, and to suggest pos address by Dr. Manross delivered at sible solutions to the problem. Do the Jews Believe in God? the Commencement Exercises of West They have committed the common The revelation which was given to minister Seminary in May. In the im fallacy of much of evangelicalism. They Moses at Mt. Sinai then was in very mediately preceeding portion, Dr, Man failed to accord the doctrine of God truth a revelation. Its contents are not ross was speaking of modern attempts much importance. They proceed as to be explained merely as the reaction to express unity among evangelicals, though the person of God was not of the mind of Moses to external cir as witnessed by the National Associa basic to the Christian faith. Their cumstances. It was actually a message tion of Evangelicals, and the American creedal statements and common prac from God, and because it was such the Council of Christian Churches. He pro tice will bear out our thesis. Further Jews were in possession of the oracles ceeds in the present portion of the more, while we do not make the claim of God. On this point as we have said, address to indicate certain criticisms of that any evangelical agency is out to July 15, 1955 103 build a super church, interdenomina thoughts after Him, but as an inde new to Christianity. But it may be new tional bodies often have gotten into the pendent autonomous man, sitting in the to ignore it. It may be new to ignore work of the church and forgotten that seat of the judge. The Scriptures are that disagreement as though it really they are not the church. Thus they brought before him and he, sovereign didn't matter. compromise the conscience of some by man, finds them wanting. The accept Thirdly I would suggest that there doing the work of the church upon a ance of the neo-orthodox conception of needs to be a rediscovery of systematic superficial doctrinal basis. While the Scripture would seem to be the next theology beginning with the sovereign members confess agreement on many logical step. God of the Word and the Word of the doctrinal matters, their agreement must I express this as a great danger con sovereign God. Once evangelicals rec be considered to be very relative in fronting evangelicalism today. The doc ognize that one's doctrine of God will nature, so long as they cannot confess trinal basis of evangelicalism in 1900 color all thinking on related subjects, agreement on the Person of God Him was not sufficiently strong to withstand it will be unable to bypass the doctrine self. Thus in a very real sense the forthrightly the impact of the old Mod as of little importance. And this would movements within evangelicalism that ernism. And I fear that the doctrinal focus the thought of Christians upon might be termed in some respect ecu basis and stability of evangelicalism in God and enable them more and more menical in nature, are comihitting in this year 1955 is not sufficient to stand to see all things through the eyes of principle the same mistake as that of against the onslaught of neo-orthodoxy. God. This alone would be reason for the larger and more liberal ecumenical There are signs abroad that evangeli hope for a better day in evangelicalism. movements, namely, ecumenicity by cals find it an easy step to slip into No longer would it be thought possible doctrinal superficiality. The difference neo-orthodox positions of inspiration of to treat of individual doctrines in isola is not one of kind, but of degree. Scripture which spell doom. It is a cause tion one from another, and least of all In the third place, we are today wit of great sorrow. in isolation from the one sovereign, nessing a revolt in evangelicalism. This The immediate cause for the slipping eternal, triune creator God. A philoso revolt has been gathering storm for a into this position, this neo-orthodox phy of life founded upon a systematic number of years, and is increasingly position of Scripture, may be the re theology beginning with the sovereign coming to the light. Men, especially jection of some of the diches. But the God of the Word and the Word of the young men, are revolting against some more basic cause would be found again sovereign God would then be seen to of the cliches of orthodoxy so common in an inadequate conception of God be a necessity. It is along the afore in evangelicalism. In some ways this is and God's creation. The cliches have mentioned lines that unity and ecumen a good sign, but it is not without dan served and do serve as a fence psycho icity among evangelicals must' be ger. It is good that the academic level of logically, but when that fence is found fostered. evangelicalism is on the rise. It is good to have no real existence it seems but It is our God-given duty as Chris that the commonly held doctrines are a small thing to some to elevate the tians to seek to manifest the oneness of being tested and tried in the crucible of mind of man above the Word of God. the body of Christ inwardly and out Scripture. It is good that men are search wardly for certainly one day in glory Three suggestions toward a solution. that oneness will become manifest ing the Scriptures to see whether these There is no simple panacea for all the things are so. This testing process which fully. But ours is a duty now. We have ills of evangelicalism but it is our firm a responsibility towards all our brothers is under way is resulting in a wide conviction that fundamentally the root spread questioning of the Biblical in Christ to work with them toward of the problem lies in the inadequate full agreement to the glory of God the soundness of some of the fine distinc doctrine of Scripture and with this in tions of Dispensationalism, as well as Father. That agreement can only pro mind we make some suggestions to ceed from a common understanding the exactitude of popularly accepted es ward evangelical unity and strength. chatological calendars. In our opinion and acknowledgement of the doctrine this is good. It holds hope for the estab First we would call for an admission of God as presented in His infallible lishment of evangelicalism upon a of differences. Evangelicals will not Word. more solid basis. However this revolt is much longer be able to act as though It is for this reason that Westminster a dangerous thing. The very acceptance they were united in doctrine, as though Theological Seminary is a light to pave l of diches like those' just mentioned has they agreed on all important doctrines the way for true ecumenicity, She has been to some Christians the very corner or even on every point of any doctrine. not generally been so regarded in the stone of orthodoxy. When these so The first and honest step toward unity past. She is a light to pave the way called cornerstones are found to be and agreement is to recognize and face because she bears true witness to the wanting, it brings to the mind of the the differences. Evangelicals are coming true light. It is true that this institution questioner doubt about other doctrines more and more to realize the differ in holding forth the Reformed Faith of a far different nature-the creation ences. But they will need to be honest embracing the excellencies of God is of God, ex nihilo, the unique creation and face them. declaring that which any ecumenical of man distinct from the animals. Hav Secondly I would suggest recognition movement must embrace if it is' to ing found some of the cliches learned of the importance of the doctrine of succeed to the glory of God. God, The differences among evangeli in early training to be groundless, it The holding forth of the banner of would now seem that all must be tested. cals are many, but fundamental to all It would seem to be an easy step to is the conception of the person of God, the Lord is today and shall continue test all, and to proceed,' not now as a and the implications of God upon to be, so long as time remains, the only mere man, a creature of God'with mind Scripture and everything else.Disagree hope for the body of Christ to manifest subjected to Scripture, thinking God's ment on the doctrine of God is not the true unity. 104 The Presbyterian Guardian Evangelizing The Children (9) children's choir must combine the rare qualities of unusual musical ability, ability to control children and com Glhe.. Chu..ch mand their respect and a high degree of Christian earnestness. Without such Relaled Agencies leadership attempts at forming chil dren's choirs are apt to become abottive. By LAWRENCE R. EYRES (2) Young People's Societies. Due to the strategic importance of the jun N E OF THE ESSENTIALS in an all equipped to finish the task that it has ior ages (about 9-13) the value of the O American football or basketball begun. As a matter of cold fact, failure junior young people's society cannot be player is the capacity for team-work. to carty out an organized follow-up over-estimated. Experience has shown The would-be "star" who plays to the program has resulted in the loss of that this society has provided the link grandstands never achieves this covet thousands of young and tender hearts between the mere Sunday School child able distinction. In our last article we initially touched by the Gospel story and the church proper. This is so be suggested that the Sunday School must winsomely told in the Sunday School. cause the junior society is a melting not be the "children's church," but a Here is where the other members of pot of pre-adolescents from both coven servant of the church which knows its the team must enter the game, here ant and non-covenant homes. The place. We also noticed that it is the is where the other church-related agen covenant child, especially if such are a member of a team of church-related cies are desperately needed. majority in this group, becomes a pat agencies all of which are bent on evan Before discussing these agencies it tern and a wholesomeinfluence over his gelism. We have devoted two articles must be understood that the child from less fortunate friend. The meetings, to the Sunday School with just this in the non-Christian home will not be properly conducted and supervised, pro mind-that the Sunday School, in co evangelized at least until he has been vide ample opportunities for personal operation with its associated church introduced into and made to feel at participation in all essential parts of sponsored societies, achieve the maxi home with the worshipping people of worship-praise, Bible reading, indivi mum in saved souls and lives of the God. Simply to invite him at the close dual and group prayer and tithing. This children which come under its influ of the Sunday School hour to "stay for is such a serious age! ence. Now let us turn our attention church" is bound to be ineffective unless In the junior society worship is not to the other members of this team there is some way to make him want only learned by worshipping, but it may primarily devoted to juvenile evan to enter upon what is to him a strange also be positively taught. Every element gelism. and unnecessary service. In addition to of the regular worship service should The Child's Needs the increase of sound teaching, we must be taught from time to time so that contrive to stimulate in him a hunger divine worship becomes meaningful to All children are born into the world for the worship of God's house. the child, perhaps for the first time. with a need for Christian nurture. It is Occasional contests involving points this alone that our sovereign, coven How to Fulfil the Need for attendance at regular church serv ant God promises to bless with the gift ( 1) Children's Choirs. Some will ices very often furnish the occasion for of His saving Spirit. And we reiterate dispute the proposition that children's the formation of a life-long, voluntary that this must first be Christian nur choirs have a part in divine worship. habit of sabbath worship. Add to this a ture: the careful, prayerful, diligent We shall not belabor the point. Chil "sermon drill" as a part of each Junior imparting of the whole message of the dren love to sing, and under competent service and one is amazed at how much Bible. It must also be total nurture: in leaders it is not difficult to interest most these youngsters can get out of the home, church and school, throughout children in such choirs. The quality of dullest sermon! all the childhood years. (Deuteronomy their anthems need not be one whit 6:7-9, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4). inferior to those of their elders. There Most opportune of all is that these To look back again, we have owned is grave danger, however, that the real youngsters are ready for advanced our duty to endeavor to evangelize the motive for their participation will be teaching in Bible doctrine and history. parents of these children in order that the opportunity thus afforded to be And as they learn to be familiar with they may help impart to them this seen and heard. If this is the case they the Word of God they automatically total Christian nurture. And failing of will continue in the worship services increase in capacity to appreciate at that, we are bound to attempt to bring only as long as the "bait" is held out. tending regular worship. And besides, these children to Christ by imparting Still this need not be the only motive. if the societies meet just prior to eve to them directly, by all means at our Singing God's praises is a sacred activ ning worship the second worship serv avail, not only the highest quality but ity, a spiritual service. All choirs should ice is within their easy reach. also the greatest quantity of such nur have this fact held constantly before As for the senior society (or high ture as the only God-appointed means them. And the chances are that, if the schoolers) they will follow in due time of their salvation. children are taught this diligently by under the impetus of those who come It need not be questioned that the their leaders, they will take it more to to it from the junior society. True, our Sunday School is the modern agency heart than adult singers just because problem-particularly the interest best adapted for the front-line advance they are children. Such a program ought problem-increases at this age, but they of this conquest. But the Sunday never to be launched except under (because of the covenant-nurture prin School, due to its very nature, is ill- competent leadership. A leader of a ciple) usually remain constant if they July 15, 1955 10' have had the full benefit of the junior Farewell for Mahaffys The present plan is for Miss Deid training. A tremendous help among the FAREWELL GATHERING for the rich to go to the mission field early in seniors is to put them to work as a A Rev. and Mrs. Francis Mahaffy 1956. She is a member of Immanuel body in some project that will make a and family, who sailed from New York Church of Crescent Park, N. J. real contribution to the total ministry for Eritrea on July 9, was held at the of the church. home of the Rev. Charles H. Ellis, Report from Japan (3) Other agencies. Of lesser pastor of Covenant Church of the A circular letter recently di.rtributed strategic value, but useful none the less, Oranges, on Wednesday evening, July by fnend.r in Covenant Church, Berk is the Vacation Bible School with its 6. eley, California, tells of the work of the opportunity for a wider reach than even Sponsored by the women's society of Japan mi.r.rion of the Orthodox Presby the Sunday School and its concentrated Covenant Church, the occasionincluded tenan Church. Fol/owing are some program. Then there are the boys' and a buffet supper on the lawn of the quotatjom from the letter sent by the girls' camps and young people's con Ellis home, followed by a service at a Rev. and Mr.r. George Y. Uomoto: ferences. These are of great value pro neighboring church building made "The work in Sendai continues. The vided their doctrine and discipline are available for the purpose. Friends of Sunday school has setrled down so that unimpeachable. Nevertheless, the church the Mahaffys were present from sev by now we know who are regular which sends its youth to camps over eral of the churches in north Jersey. attendants and who are 'stragglers: The which it has no supervision or control Also present were Mr. and Mrs. evening service continues with its small should look sharp lest the patient work Thomas Bird from Long Island, par group. Our prayer is that the Word of of years be undermined or undone. ents of Missionary Herbert Bird who God may continue to be proclaimed in In conclusion we would address a is in Eritrea, and Donald and Dorothy all simplicity and truthfulness. We have word to those who rule the churches. Duff, children of Missionaries Clarence been determining the subject matter of The great commission covers the chil and Dora Duff, also now in Eritrea. our evening services from the subject dren. Their importance is all out of Brief greetings were brought the matter of the Shorter Catechism so we proportion to their comparative num departing family by Mr. Mal Wood feel the group has a more or less over bers. No child, from whatever home, ruff of Covenant Church, the Rev. Roy all idea of what Christianity is. In such who can be induced to accept the min Oliver of Grace Church, Fair Lawn; an outline we trust they may have come istrations of the church of Christ should the Rev. James Price of the Indepen to realize why Christ occupies such a be thought to be beyond being won dent Presbyterian Church of Morris central place and why we preach Him. to Christ. May God make us wise as town, N. J., and the Rev. Leslie W. In a land given to idolatry and to relat serpents and harmless as doves to plan Sloat, representing Calvary Church of ivism of truth, the absoluteness of God and coordinate our total efforts if that Glenside, Pa, Mrs. Mahaffy spoke on and Christ is unintelligible. It is only by all means we might, with the bless some of the matters that should be the working of the Holy Spirit that can ing of our sovereign God, save some remembered in prayer by the home give sight to blinded hearts, and enable of them. churoh. Mr. Mahaffy outlined some of them to see the light of the Gospel of the difficulties on the field, which have the glory of Christ, who is the image of perhaps prevented the work from show God. Orthodox Presbyterian ing more progress than it has so far. "The Rev. Heber Mdlwaine and the The family is scheduled to arrive in Rev. Shigeru Yoshioka alternate in con Statistics Eritrea early in August, if present ducting Bible classes at Nishitita Sana HE STATED CLERK of the recent traveling schedules are maintained. torium each week. They are assisted by TGeneral Assembly of The Ortho Elder Y. Sasaki and Mr. Uomoto, The dox Presbyterian Church has released Foreign Missions Committee group there has progressed rapidly and the following statistics concerning the Appoints Dorothy Deidrich has started a Sunday evening prayer church, based on reports for the year service by themselves. Soon we hope to ended March 31, 1955. ISS DoROTHY DEIDRICH, a nurse see some of them make their confession Membership: 5,979 communicants M whose home is in Crescent Park, of faith and receive baptism. · and 2,775 baptized children for a total N. J., has been appointed by the Com "In June we started a work in mittee on Foreign Missions for service Ishinomaki, about an hour and 40 min of 8,754. in Eritrea, East Africa. Miss Deidrich utes by train from Sendai. For the pre Sunday school enrollment: 8,102. completed her nurse's training a year sent we meet there twice a month. A Average contributions per communi- ago, and during the past year has been children's meeting will be held every ·cant member: to general expenses a student at the Reformed Bible Insti week, under the direction of Mr. T. $64.91; to benevolences $25.46; to tute in Grand Rapids. Okada, a young Christian. Thirteen were Building and special funds $16.52, or The Committee decided that before present art the first meeting, at which a total average giving per communi Miss Deidrich should go to the field, Mr. Mcllwaine spoke on John 3: 16. cant to church work of $106.89. she should take a course in linguistics, "We solicit your prayers in selecting There are now 110 ministers in the which she is doing this summer at the a new location for our work. Weare at church, and 72 organized congrega- Wydif Training school, and that she present considering either East Sendai ·rions .' The number of ministers is the should take advanced work in nursing, or Shiogama, a seaport a short distance largest in the history of the church, with special attention to obstetrics, away. except for a few months in the spring which she expects to do this fall and "Mr. Mcllwaine will be undergoing ,of 1937. winter. a hernia operation in July. Please re- <1:06 The Presbyterian Guardian member him in your prayers, that he logical Seminary. Perhaps also you will preach on the may have a speedy and complete recov The Women's Missionary Society of words of Jesus, that no one can come ery." Calvary Church, Wildwood, N. ]., held unto him except the Father draw him. The letter also reports that a Japan a Mother-Daughter supper on May 24, You will point out that all men because ese, Mamoru Tamaki, has been accepted with about 60 persons present. Mrs. of sin deserve eternal punishment, that at Westminster Seminary for the fall, Leslie Dunn of Westfield, was guest none are able of themselves even to and that the mission is trying to help speaker. Her topic was "The Christian believe in Christ and repent of their raise funds for his transportation to Home." Regular services are being held sins; but that it is by sovereign grace America. Gifts for this purpose may be at the Boardwalk Chapel every evening alone that they must be enabled to do sent to the Committee on Foreign Miss of the week. what of themselves they cannot do. ions, 728 Schaff Building, Philadelphia Covenant Church of the Oranges has Second Response 2, Pa., clearly designated. voted to purchase a lot in East Then, so far as there is understand Orange, at the corner of Springdale and ing of your meaning, there will be op Glenwood avenues. position to the message that you bring. John H. Feicke The Rev. Henry Tavares of Carson, To be sure, men have sufficient in genuity to turn the very gospel of sov UUNG ELDER JOHN H. FEICKE, N. D., is now conducting a service R of the Orthodox Presbyterian every other Sunday evening in a Ger ereign grace into its opposite so that Church in Yale, S. D; died suddenly on man Reformed Church in Heil, near to them it means that somehow all un Monday, May 23. He was 64 years of Leith. Already being pastor of three righteousness of men will be forgiven age. He had attended the regular eve churches, Mr. Tavares now has four and all men taken into the presence of ning service of the church the pre services and a Bible class on each God. They will justify to themselves vious day. He had been in failing Sabbath. Men of the Lark church have such a view by saying that surely noth health since the first of the year, due agreed to break and sow forty acres of ing that is done in this world can be of to a heart condition, but had appeared land for a neighbor, the proceeds of such importance as to determine that strong and well during the days before which are to be devoted to the Lord's men shall be eternally separated from his death. work. God. In particular do they argue that no Mr. Feicke and his wife began at The Rev. Dwight H. Pondstone mark sin in this world, in which all is dark tending the Yale church in 1943. In ed the beginning of his 17th year as pas and no one can really see what is right the fall of that year they became con tor of Beverly Orthodox Presbyterian and wrong, can be so great that it de fessing members. Mr. Feicke was later Churoh, Los Angeles, the latter part of serves to be punished for all eternity. In elected a trustee, and has served the June. Eighteen communicant members short the whole point will be that God's church as ruling elder for about ten were recently received into the church. righteousness is placed below his love. years. His pastor, the Rev. Melvin Twelve of these are worshipping in God is said ultimately to love the world Nonhof, says of him, "He was faith Whittier, at the missionary chapel and all men in it despite what they do; ful in his attendance at worship serv sponsored by the Presbytery there and he may chastise them as a father chas ices. (I dare say he missed only about conducted by the Rev. Robert Nicholas. tises his child, but he will by that five services in the 12 years he at Improvements to Beverly Church in means only bring into effect his pur tended the church.) He showed a very clude the installation of new pews and pose of grace for them. earnest spirit and was much concerned an organ. Thirty members of the con So when you preach the sovereign about the unsaved, particularly his gregation plan to attend the Family grace of Godin all its simplicity, when neighbors and friends. He had a zeal Conference at Big Bear Lake, July 18 you preach the Christ of the Scriptures for souls." 25. Rev. Charles Schauffele will be in sharp distinction from all such man Funeral services were held in Yale guest speaker at the conference. made gospels, then there will be in church, with a very large company of At a special meeting of the Oostburg difference, hard looks, empty pews, less neighbors and friends in attendance. Christian School Association it was salary, a final liquidation from the place Burial was in the Iroquois, S.D. ceme decided to purchase the home across to which you had been called. And all tery. from the school property, as a residence this will be in the name of high moral Besides his widow, he leaves a for teachers. ity and religion. All religion will be nephew, Elmer Anderson, who was tolerated and extolled except the reli raised from infancy in his home after gion of the free grace of God through the mother's death. the Christ of the Scriptures, and preach Van Til ed on the authority of the Scriptures. (Continued from p. 102) Final Response Church Notes into eternal life." Perhaps you will then become de HIRTEEN YOUNG PEOPLE from And how shall a man be righteous ~pondent and will seek to escape T Calvary Church of Volga, S.D., and thus enter into eternal life? Only into some other profession. "When the attended Elim Bible Camp at Niobrara, he that hath part in the Christ~"He Son of man shall come, will he find Nebraska, June 27-July 4. Pastor Bruce that earerh my flesh and drinketh my faith on the earth?" Will he find true Coie acted as Dean of' the camp, and blood, dwelleth in me and I in him, faitharnong all this display of false Mrs. Appel and Mrs. H. Albright were As the living Father hath sent me, and faith? Will there be among those who cooks. Three more quilts have been I live by the Father; so he that eateth bow each Sabbath day before the blank sent .from this church to Korea Thea- me, even he shall live by me." and the void any who still bow before July 15, 1955 'l01 the living God whom they know will lift your heart to God and say, "00 ness to the Christ of the Scriptures en through the Scriptures? not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do veloped Saul the persecutor and made The Christ of the Scripture has him not disgrace the throne of thy glory: of him Paul the apostle. He took a self provided the remedy for this your remember, break not thy covenant with youth of North Africa out of doubt and time of despair. When he himself saw us." And your prayer will be heard, for sin and made him the greatest teacher the crowds disappear as with increas it is uttered in the name of him who of the ancient church. The grace of ing sharpness of delineation he cor prayed, "Father, I will that they also, God cannot be in vain. The Christ of ralled them to a direct confrontation whom thou hast given me, be with the Scripture is victor over Satan and with his broken body and shed blood me where I am, that they may behold his host. Of his kingdom there shall be which, on his own absolute authority, my glory,which thou hast given me; for no end. It is your glorious task to labor he presented to them for their accep thou lovest me before the foundation for him and in his name. You preach tance, he said to his disciples: of the world. a righteous Father, the the Christ of the Scripture in terms of "Will ye also go away?" Will you go world hath now known thee: but I have me Scripture and therefore on the au away from this task of preaching and known thee, and these have known that thority of God. And so the God who teaching the Christ of the Scriptures? thou hast sent me. And I have declared made man and in whose hand are the When you think on this, then your unto them thy name, and will declare hearts of men and kings as water answerwill be, with the apostles, "Lord, it; that the love wherewith thou hast courses will yet give abundant reward to whom shall we go? Thou hast the loved me may be in them, and I in to those who work for him. So then the words of eternal life. And we believe them:' words of the admonition of the apostle and are sure that thou art the Christ, There can be therefore no doubt of Paul which you have recently heard the Son of the living God." the ultimate success of your labor. The And when you are told not to pray grace of God cannot be of no avail The ring once more in your ears, for this people because of their unbe Son of Man has established faith in "Therefore be ye steadfast, unmove lief and hardness of heart, you will him within the hearts of men who of able, always abounding in the work of realize that this is not God's final com themselves rebelled. The Holy Spirit, the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that mand. Sowith the prophet Jeremiah you the Spirit sent by Ghrist himself to wit- your labor is not in vain in the Lord." GUARDIAN NEWS C01'1\1'1\£ nrA'r0 R VIEWING THE NEWS FROM THE REUGIOUS NEWS SERVICE AND THE REUGIOUS AND SECULAR PRESS poinree, supposedly, will be nominated It refused to reconsider its decision Christian Reformed Synod next year. Mr. Woudsrra is a graduate of a year ago to withdraw from the of Westminster Seminary who was work in India. HE SYNOD of the Christian Re accepted as a minister in the Christian In home missions, the H. M. Com T formed Church, held the early part Reformed Church over a year ago. He mittee was authorized to open five new of June, took several actions of interest recently spent several months in study fields in the current year. Work is to to our readers. Three new members in Amsterdam. be opened among the Indians at the were chosen for. the faculty of Calvin Others reappointed to the Seminary Intermountain School in Utah, and Seminary, all for one year terms. They faculty are Carl G. Kromminga, John improvements are to be made at Zuni. are Anthony A. Hoekema as Lecturer H. Krominga, four years; Herman Synod also approved the placing of a in Dogmatics; Harold Dekker as lec Kuiper, two years; Henry Stob, four conditional contract with the NBC turer in Missions, and Marten H. years. radio. network. Funds for this expan Woudstra as instructor in Old Testa In the field of foreign-missions, the sion to be raised through voluntary ment. It was noted that. this is the last Synod approved a proposal to send twO contributions. time there will be a one-year lecture moremen to Japan, one more man to The Rev. John Vander Ploeg was ship in- dogmatics. A permanent ap- the Sudan, and one more to Ceylon. chosen to become the editor of the 108 The Presbyterian Guardian church paper, the Banner, replacing the to reconsider this stand, and withdraw of the Roman Catholic "Marian Year". Rev. H. J. Kuiper who will retire. Mr. its support of segregation. However, The Marian Year, as 1954 was called, Vander Ploeg has been a pastor in the vote was even more definite than was a year devoted especiallyin Catholic Kalamazoo. He will officially begin his last year's. A minority report support circles to the cult of the Virgin Mary. duties in the fall of 1956. ing segregation was defeated. This re The report to the Presbyterian assem The Synod voted to investigate the port stated in part, "We further believe bly traced the rise of the dogma and possibility of a closer relationship with that the 1954 General Assemblydid err cult of the virgin. The dogma centers The Orthodox Presbyterian Church. in declaring segregation to be a sin and in two doctrines propounded by the Partial background for this was the in seeking to obligate the members of Catholic church, neither of which has fact that the Gereformeerde Kerken of both races in the Presbyterian Church Scriptural authority. About 1850 the the Netherlands has entered into a sister in the United States to work for the Pope proclaimed that Mary was born relationship with the Orthodox Presby integration of the races, inasmuch as the without sin, the doctrine of the Immac terian denomination, a closer relation Scriptures do not sustain the view that ulate Conception. And in 1950 the ship than the Christian Reformed segregation in itself is wrong or un Pope proclaimed the doctrine of the Church has allowed. Christian." The VOte supporting the Assumption, that Mary had been trans In another action, Synod refused to stand taken last year was 293-109. lated directly to heaven, body and soul. adopt an overture that would have for The cult of the virgin centers in the bid membership in so-called "neutral" alleged appearance of Mary on various labor unions, and failed to make any Reformed Church Synod occasions, and her giving of messagesor change in its position regarding labor HE SYNOD of the Reformed Church instructions to her followers. In its chief unions and labor contracts. T in America (Dutch Reformed), feature this cult is known as "Our Lady met in Buck Hill Falls, Pa., early in of Fatima," because Mary supposedly June. appeared in 1917 at Fatima in Portugal, Southern Presbyterians Of special interest was the action of and brought a "peace plan" from Dismiss Union Committee the Synod regarding candidates for the heaven. HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the ministry who attended other Seminaries In consequence of the doctrine and T Southern Presbyterian Church, at than those of the Reformed Church, or cult of Mary, she has been given a place its annual meeting held in June, voted who came from other churches. Classes practically equal to that of Christ in the to dissolve its committee on Coopera in examining candidates from other work of redemption, and appears even tion and Union with other churches, churches were urged to scrutinize very to replace the Holy Spirit. She is the and instead set up a permanent com carefully their understanding and mediator between humans and Christ mittee on interchurch relations. Despite acceptance of Reformed doctrinal stan Himself, and is called the "Queen of the fact that the denomination had dards and practice and their loyalty to Heaven." voted by only a slight majority against the entire Reformed Church program. The report states that the develop the Presbyterian merger program, and Ministerial candidates who do not ment of the Marian cult has widened had been strongly divided over the attend seminaries of the Reformed the breach between Catholicism and all issue, this action of the assembly was Church are likewise' to be carefully other (sic) Christian communions, and carried through unanimously. examined, and may be required to take that it constitutes a challengeto evangel The Assembly also thanked the As prescribed courses at Reformed Church ical Christians, who should develop their semblies of the Northern and United Seminaries. devotional lives in the Biblical pattern, Presbyterian bodies for their readiness This year two men who were grad in contrast to the extra-Biblical worship to consider a plan of union, on the uates of Westminster Seminary, but of the mother of Christ. basis of the invitation from the South who had taken these prescribed courses Catholic theologians were quick to at New Brunswick Seminary, were ad ern Church (which initiated the union react to the Presbyterian statement. The mitted to the ministry. They are Rus idea some years ago) . These other Catholic Theological Society charged churches were informed that the re sell Johnson and Clarence Werkema. the statement with distorting the facts. jection of the plan of union was not to A member of this year's graduating It asserted that Catholics do not hold class of Westminster, John Cooper, was be interpreted as a lack of confidence Mary to have taken the place of Ghrist, informed he would be admitted pro in these churches, or a lack of desire for and claimed that its worship of Mary more Christian fellowship, but merely vided he satisfactorily completed cer was based on the position that she is the expressed the conviction of a constitu tain additional courses at a seminary mother of Christ who is both God and tional majority of the Southern Pres of the Reformed Church. (Mr. Cooper Man, so that she can also be called the byteries that the interest of Christ could has since withdrawn from the Re "Mother of God." best be served by the continued exist formed Church and been received as a ence of the Southern church as an inde member of Calvary Orthodox Presby Then the Catholics added a note that pendent body. terian Church of Glenside, Penna.) the Presbyterians would do well to take A second item of major interest be to heart. Said the Catholics,"It would be fore this Assembly related to the matter reassuring if all men who call themselves of segregation. Last year the Assembly, Presbyterians and Mary Christians could be as unanimous in by a vote of 238-168, expressed its sup HE General Assembly of the Presby proclaiming their faith in Christ as God, port of the Supreme Court's position T terian Church U.S.A. this year adopt as the Presbyterian General Assembly against segregation. This year there were ed a report of a specialcommittee which was unanimous in its attack on Cath several overtures asking the Assembly had been set up to study the significance olic devotion to Mary." July 15, 1955 109 ASA and ETS Meet Science and Miracles of the largest Catholic churches in the city. At Winona Lake EMARKS of Dr. John R. Brobeck, But then apparently saner heads pre professor at the University of R vailed. Two leading anti-Catholic mem HE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFIL Penna. Medical School, at a medical bers of Peron's government were dis T IATION and the Evangelical Theo convention in Toronto, have attracted missed. Peron sent greetings to the Pope logical Society held a joint meeting at widespread attention. on one of the religious festivals. His Grace Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., Dr. Brobeck declared that Science is police set up cordons to protect the June 21-24. Some 100 scholars from changing. "One of the results is that a churches, and in terms of the govern various parts of the United States and scientist is no longer able to say honestly ments responsibility to care for the Canada attended. Papers on a great that something is impossible. He can church, he has taken over several of the variety of subjects were presented. only say it is improbable." This com church buildings and started their repair Discussion groups which had been ment was in connection with a discuss at government expense. (Some of the working on particular aspects of the ion of miracles. Brobeck said that the Catholics have opposed this, wishing relation of the Bible and Science pre one factor which can account for mira either to repair the churches themselves, sented their reports on June 24. A cles would be a source of energy un or to leave them in their present state summary of these reports follows: known to the scientific system. He said as "monuments" to encourage the Cath "The group on 'The Antiquity of this source of energy was known in the olic populace.) There have been sugges Man' while noting that the often Bible as the Word of God. Brobeck tions that a concordant between Peron quoted date of 4004 B.C. for the crea added that there are miracles taking and the Vatican might be established, tion of Adam is not held by reputable place, today-the miracles involved in and that the two exiled Church lead rebirth, or salvation through Jesus ers would be allowed back in the evangelical scholars, pointed out that Christ. This reality is today producing the Bible seems to favor a date for country. changes in human personality it is im But all is not settled yet. There have man's creation of not too many thous possible for scientists to explain. ands of years B'C; that the earliest been additional demonstrations by Cath olics, and additional resistance by gov scientifically proven date for man is Peron and the Pope ernment forces, and additional blood about 20,000 B.c., and that attempts shed. In a Catholic country, when the HE DICfATOR of the South American to place man on the earth hundreds of crowned head starts a battle with the country of Argentina has learned thousands of years ago are simply 'edu T church, the crowned head is more liable the hard waywhat many beforehim have cated guesses.' Another group consid to fall, than the church. discovered, that one does not lightly ered the deluge of Noah, and reported engage in conflict with the Roman that the applicability of science to the Catholic hierarchy. flood is less than generally supposed. Argentina is very largely Catholic in Bible Synod to Have College Fossils and stratification need not be population. But Peron, the "dictator", HE BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD, associated with the flood, and an an has been endeavoring for some time to T meeting in its annual assembly at cient universal flood need not have left overcome Catholic influence. The con St. Louis recently, approved the erection appreciable present geological evidence. flict started in the labor unions many of a committee which should be au The Biblical record of the flood is to months ago, when Peron claimed that thorized to establish a college under the be maintained, which seems to favor a Catholics were attempting to take con sponsorship of the Synod. Actual es universal rather than a local flood, and trol of the labor movement. Since then tablishment of the college depends on the teaching of Catholic doctrine in approval by two-thirds of the presbyter ,which certainly demands the destruc schools has been stopped, and this past ies of the church. tion of the entire human race, except spring the question of the separation of This action, taken on the last day of for the family of Noah. The group on church and state was raised, and is to the Synod meeting, followed two other 'Probabilities and certainties of scien be put before the people in a public decisions of considerable significance. tific methods and methods of inter vote. One was to establish an official maga preting the Bible' stressed that while Catholic opposition has been evi zine of the church, to serve as the scientific facts, such as progressive denced through letters in the churches, church's "voice," and the other was to forms of life, are true, yet anti-super and through mass demonstrations. These establish a new and enlarged commit naturalistic theories to explain these latter the goverment has resisted. Finally tee on Christian Education, with a full facts, such as evolution, are not. The Peron deported two of the leading mem time general secretary. bers of the Catholic hierarchy, giving All three of these decisions met with group also stressed that the original them police escort to the planes which strong opposition on the floor of Synod. manuscripts of the Bible are without took them Out of the country. Rome In fact, the decisions are described as error, but that men are not without responded quickly. Peron and those with marking an "overwhelming change" in error in interpreting the Bible." him (though not by name) were excom the Bible Presbyterian church. They Among those attending the meeting municated by the church. Portions of were opposed by Dr. Carl McIntire, were scholars from Calvin Seminary, the Navy and air force rebelled, and Dr. Allan A. MacRae and others. Gordon Divinity School, Wheaton planes bombed the Goverment build On the final day of the Synod Dr. College, Faith Seminary, Northern Bap ings in Buenos Aires. Many were killed MacRae with some thirty other men tist Seminary, Goshen College, and and injured. In rurn government sup set up an independent "Committee for other institutions. porters ransacked and burned a number True Presbyterianism," the purpose of '110 The Presbyterian Guardian which was described as to "bring in they had taken at the Council meeting. Ecumenical Center formation to the members of the Bible The plea of the Free Press through Opened in Geneva Presbyterian church." One of the first out is that the church turn away from actions of this Committee was to all Synod-controlled agencies, and allow OHN KNOX HOUSE, described as an sponsor a rally at Faith Seminary in its extension, missionary and educa J ecumenical conference and study support of its endeavors. Another action tional work to be conducted by inde center sponsored by the Presbyterian was to issue the first number of a paper, pendent organizations of church mem Church in the U.S.A., was officially entitled The Free Press, designed to bers who have an interest in the parti opened on June 7 in the city of Gene state and support its principles. cular work. The Free Press concludes va, Switzerland. The center will pro These principles, as set forth in the with this plea: "It is to be hoped that vide accommodations for Presbyterian six articles appearing in the paper (all the members of the Bible Presbyterian U.S.A. personnel working in the area, written by Dr. MacRae) are thar Church will seriously consider the and will also carryon a conference synod-controlled boards and agencies great harm that has been done by the program. Financial support has been are contrary to the Scripture and the actions of the last Synod, and will make largely assured by the Montview Boule Confession of Faith, and that mission, a strong turn about in the near furore." vard Presbyterian Church of Denver, publication, and education work should Colo. be carried on by independent groups set up whenever and wherever a num Van Kampen Discontinues Congregational, E& R ber of Christians desire to set them up. AN KAMPEN PRESS has issued a Merger in 1957 The decisions of the Synod represent V notice that it has discontinued its a contrast with previous developments business. Located in Wheaton, Van HE OFFICIAL MERGER of the Con in this church. There has not been pre Kampen has in recent years published T gregational and Evangelical & Re viously an "official" church paper, but many books and pamphlets, mostly in formed Churches is now scheduled to Instead the church has largely consider the field of Fundamentalist literature. take place in June, 1957. Meanwhile ed the Christian Beacon published by Titles handled by the Press have been joint projects between agencies of the Dr. Mclnrire as its "voice." There have transferred to other publishers, and in rwo churches are being worked out. been two independent colleges, High some cases to the authors themselves. land in Pasadena, Calif., and Shelton in Graham Invited for New York. But recently a division oc New York Crusade curred at Highland, and the president Graham in European and a majority of the student body Crusades VANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM has withdrew. The one official agency of Ebeen invited to hold a full scale FTER LEAVING the British Isles, crusade in New York next year. The the church has been the Committee on where he conducted an extended National Missions, which has had a pub A invitation was issued by the protestant crusade in Glasgow, and had a shorter Council of the City of New York. The lication of its own. One of the articles stay in London, Evangelist Billy Graham in the Free Press implies strong critic proposed date was the latter part of went to the continent for brief appear September, 1956. ism of this committee, and suggests that ances in various cities. He started his the church would have grown more Graham has shown definite interest tour with five days in Paris, where he in the idea of a New York Crusade, but rapidly if national missions work also preached for the first time with the had been under the direction of one has indicated that a long period of prep help of an interpreter. From Paris he aration would be necessary. or more independent agencies. was to visit other countries, and plan The Free Press takes the position that ned to hold a rally in Geneva the eve California and Religion in setting up synod-controlled agencies ning of July 17, the day before the in these various fields, the church is "conference at the summit" was sched HE ATTORNEY GENERAL of Cali moving in the direction of bureaucracy, uled to occur. Tfornia has ruled that the Bible may be and prelacy, and is taking the same read as literature, but not for religious road which brought the Presbyterian ll purposes, in California public schools, Church in the U.S.A. to its sad estate. IILuther Film Shown The Synod did not terminate the In Montreal Churches ~. relationship of the church to the Ameri .0 VER TWENlY THOUSAND PEOPLE can Council of Christian Churches, . are reported to have seen the mov 17·Jewel WATCHES though efforts in this direction were ing picture "Martin Luther" when it ONLY $14.95 POSTPAID made, and much time of the Synod was was shown in churches in Montreal. Finest Swiss Manufacture. Gold plated Beautiful Radiant Dial. Shock & Water occupied in discussing the administra Public showings of the movie in the resistant. Lifetime crystal. Expansion tion of the American Council. At the Catholic-dominated city were banned by bracelet, fits any size wrist. $75.00' spring meeting of that Council, the the local Board of Censors. Protestant of value. Sacrifice. Manufacturer's Christ delegates from the Bible Synod stood ficials interpreted the ban as not apply mas overstock. You examine these ing to private showings. However, it watches. Wear them at our risk. Satis alone in opposing certain decisions that faction guaranteed or money refunded. were made, and in asking that the has since been stated that the Censor Order by mail. Specify men's or ladies. denomination have a greater voice in action made all showings, whether pub ~~S~Stde4. the Council's work. Dr. McIntire in the lic or private, illegal. It remains to be Beacon later strongly criticized the seen what if anything the authorities 1704 W. FARWELL AVENUE CHICAGO 26. ILL. Bible Synod delegates for the position will do about the showings in churches. .~~ July 15, 1955 . 111 The Bible may be discussed, in a gen theological seminary in Southern Cali lishing Company; 436p. $4.95. eral way, and specific passages, because fornia." The University will retain a J. Marcellus Kik: Revelation Twen of their eloquence or poetic beauty, may Department of Religion to qualify for ty, an exposition. Presbyterian and Re be used for special study. But the use public funds. formed Publishing Co. 92p. $2.00. Mr. of the Bible in classroom exercises Kik finds the key to the interpreta might well amount to sectarian instruc tion of this widely discussed chapter in tion. A previous attorney general had Princeton Univ. to Have the meaning of the terms "first" and confined the Scriptures to school li Religion Program "second" resurrection. An interesting braries. expositional study. BROAD pioneering program of grad The Attorney General also held that Ben A. Warburton: Calvinism.Eerd prayers may not be made a part of the A duate study that will stress "the re lation of religion to all aspects of life" mans. 249 p. $3.00. Some of the chapter school curriculum. Atheists must be pro headings of this book are, "Arminius tected. Other rulings were that Gideon has been inaugurated by Princeton Uni versity. The non-denominational pro and the Synod of Dort," "Divine Sov Bibles may not be distributed to the ereignity," "Predestination," "Particular children in school, but may be handed gram will combine studies in Biblical literature and the history and philosophy Redemption," "Moral Inability," "In to children on their way to and from vincible Grace," "Final Perseverance," school, and that there is no constitu of religion, and will lead to the degree of doctor of philosophy of religion. "Calvinism and the Inner Life," and tional objection to the sale or lease of "The Fruits of Calvinism." public property for religious purposes. Two additional volumes in the New Propose Women Rabbis International Commentary on the New Testament are available: F. F. Bruce, Church Headquarters HE TREND toward accepting women The Book of Acts, and Alexander In New York T for ministers continues in various Ross, The Epistles of James and John. directions. Most recently, Dr. B. R. The former is $6.00, the latter $3.50. BLOCK-LONG UNITED CHURCH Brickner in a presidential address to Eerdmans. ACENTER is to be constructed in New the 66th annual convention of the Cen York City, on Morningside Heights at Arthur W. Pink: The Doctrine of tral Conference of American Rabbis Sanctification. Bible Truth Depot. 119th street, to serve as the national has proposed that women be ordained $3.00. headquarters for Protestant and Eastern as rabbis. This is the Conference of Orthodox churches affiliated with the Reform Judaism. Any of these books may be ordered National Council of Churches. Theoretically women have had the through The Presbyterian Guardian, right to become rabbis in this group 1505 Race St., Phila. 2, Pa. since 1922, but none has ever actually Out of Presbyterian Alliance been ordained. On several occasions y A MAJORITY VOTE the General women have served as "rabbi" of in BAssembly of the Free Church of dividual congregations. Scotland decided to withdraw from the W orId Presbyterian Alliance. An over PINKING SHEARS ture from one of the synods had charged ONLY $1.95 POSTPAID. Chromium plated. Books Received precision made. Manufacturer's Christm. that the Alliance was now largely un overstock. Guaranteed $7.95 value ormone, der the influence of Modernism, that On another page reference is made refunded. Order b, mail. LINCOLN SURPLUS it supports the Wodd Council of SALES. 17~ W. Farwell Ave.. Chicago 26. to the recent book by Dr. C. Van Til: Illinois. Churches, and that it has elected a The Defense of the Faith, published by Czech Communist as a vice-president. the Presbyterian and Reformed Pub- The overture was prepared by Professor D. McKenzie of the Free Church Col lege. It was accepted by the Assembly. ORDER FORM Methodists to Take Over THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN School of Religion 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Po. HE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-ARI Dear sirs: T ZONA Methodist Conference this Enclosed find $2.50 for which please send The Presbyterian year approved a plan whereby it will take Guardian for one year to: over the University of Southern Cali fornia's School of Religion and will set up a 10 million dollar plant of its own. Nome _ A corporation is to be formed to own and control the school, continuing the Add ress _ functions now performed for the church by the University. A spokesman at the Conference declared that the school The Presbyterian Guardian is a monthly magazine committed to stating, defending, and would become "the only first rate liberal promoting orthodox Presbyterianism as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith. 112 The Presbyterian Guardian