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.Ar_·• ..-r.... Liberal Arts Education in the "'••' r1 Tradition of Historic Presbyterianism rinity Christian College is located Trinity is a young school. It opened Tin Palos Heights, Illinois, a suburb its doors seven years ago to thirty-five EM.nraIS ... of Chicago. Presently it is a two year students. Under our Lord's gracious college with plans to become a four blessing the school now numbers 205 year school by 1970. The freshman regular day students. There is also an class enrolling September, 1967 should interesting evening school progra1ll be the first class to graduate from which is attracting more and more at­ Trinity's four year program. The jun­ tention. Of special interest to the read­ ior year will be introduced, D.V., Sep­ ers of this journal is the fact that two tember, 1969 and the senior year, Sep­ tember, 1970. (continued on page 7) ..... 1

" A son's tribute to the Scrubgrass creek or the trailing arbutus patch. It was not his Scot na­ ture to verbalize but he saw the "ser­ mons in stone, books in running A Goodly Heritage brooks and God in everything," and so did we. Small wonder we always ROBERT L. ATWELL looked forward to the Sabbath. Would that we had more living illustrations t one a.m. the phone rang. From Word of God written, is the infallible that a properly strict Sabbath is also A 1,400 miles my brother's voice rule for both faith and practice. This an irresistibly joyous Sabbath. said, "Bob, get hold of yourself, I've is our confessional position. For Dad A High View of the Church bad news." A pause and then, "Dad's no other position seemed tenable; this His view of the church was apos­ dead." I was startled to realize that my was the only basis on which doctrine tolic. As best I can judge it stemmed immediate reaction was: that's not bad and life could be certain and secure. from Paul's charge to the elders to news, it's good news. It was a vivid Also he loved the woods and streams "feed the church of God, which he illustration that, concerning one who as only he can who recognizes them as has purchased with his own blood." has once received the gospel, there can part of his Father's world. Real joy Indeed he served the church as an really never be bad news. The last was his in his daily toil whether as a elder for almost sixty years. He found enemy is already conquered and death carpenter or as a lumberman running real satisfaction in his daily work, that can only terminate the suffering of the sawmill which he had owned from too was his calling of God, and in it earth and usher in the bliss of heaven. his late teens. he excelled. It was known that if Dad II Dad had gone in his 93rd year; his The First Day-the Lord's Day sawed a log it would tally its maxi­ eye was not dim nor his natural force mum in board feet. If a wood lot pur­ much abated. Just ten days before we'd For Dad the first day of the week J was the Christian Sabbath, the Lord's chaser had Dad as his appraiser the been tramping together in seven inches seller commonly asked for no other of snow in forests he had taught me Day (he thought instinctively in the terminology of the Shorter Cate­ estimate. His integrity and industry to love so well. were twin fruits of his faith. But it chism). It was "day of all the week was the church and her work that had Now my heart is filled with grati­ the best," day indeed of "joy and his first allegiance. tude to God for the goodly heritage gladness," day which gave meaning to In spring thaws the roads might be that Dad left. I write down some of the other days and kept things in per­ impassible even for a horse and buggy. the features of that heritage in the spective. He took seriously the com­ Possibly women and children could prayer that my children, and chil­ mand, "Six days shalt thou labor," for not attend. But such circumstances pro­ dren's children - and others - may the mill ran six days a week, ten hours also share them. vided no thought of excuse for a man a day, and commonly was located a and I counted it a signal privilege, as good hour's walk distant. Therefore The Fear of God the oldest child, to attend any service "welcome was the day of rest." But Dad lived in the fear of God. His that was held in the church in com­ the Sabbath was more than day of was the hall mark of the Calvinist, pany with ~im. ~en Dad w~s cut­ the man who lives coram deo - in rest - it was a family day and pre­ ~an eminently a day of worship. ting out a piece of timber the .mill the presence of God. And that fear six days a week. I can recall Its bemg was a contagious thing; it constitutes The last ten years we were on the shut down on only three occasions: the best that can come to mortal man. farm there was not a single Lord's Christmas, the fourth of July and the The fear of God delivers from all Day that Dad didn't take me to serv­ day Presbytery met. Later happenings other fear - of man, of circumstance, ices. Besides, if weather permitted, in the visible church might have of death itself. Not at all inimical to Sabbath always meant that Dad would caused me to entertain the false anti­ love, it is its perfect counterpart. I take any of the children who were old thesis, "not churchianity but Chris­ can't imagine a son having a deeper enough to tag along for a walk in the tianity," or to espouse the error of love for his father but from my earli­ hemlocks, down the Lochard run or independency, but I had long since est recollection I stood in terrible learned a high biblical view of the dread of his displeasure. It was a good church from my Dad. For him love feeling. For real happiness and secur­ JAMES EDWIN ATWELL died on for the church followed from Christ's ity a child needs some assurance that December 16, 1966 at the age of 92. love for it. he'll be punished when he needs it. A member of the Associate Reformed From a wholesome, loving fear of my Christ Must Have Preeminence Presbyterian Church in earlier years, h~d earthly father I came to rejoice in The implicit trust which I once David's word, "The fear of the Lord he became a charter member of Faith in Dad, he taught me to put rn is dean, enduring forever." Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Harris­ Christ. It would be equally true to say ville, Pennsylvania. This tribute is by that Mother taught me this. Mother He Lived by Revelation his son Robert, pastor of Galloway compensated for Dad's reticence. It He lived in, and by, and he loved Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Miami, was she, chiefly, who taught us to two books: the book of Scripture and Florida. Another son and two daugh­ memorize Scripture, who helped us the book of nature. The Bible, as the ters also survive. (continued on page 15)

The Presbyterian Guardian is published monthly (except combined in July-August) by the Presbyterian Guardia~ Publishing Corp., 7401 O~d York Rd., Phila., Pe, 19126, at the following rates, payable in advance in any part of the world, postage prepcld- $3.00 per year ($2.50 on Clubs of ten or more); $1.00 for four months; 25c per single copy. Second Class mail privileges authorized at the Post Office. Philadelphia. Po. 2 The Presbyterian Guardian There is in the New Testament not a bit of comfort for the feeble notion that controversy in the church is to be avoided, that a man can ever proclaim truth without attacking error.

The Responsibility of the Church in Our New Age

J. GRESHAM MACHEN

he question of the church's re­ Old Things Worth Retaining of art. But when we pay attention to T sponsibility in the new age in­ In the former category are to be those categories, it becomes evident volves two other questions: (1) What put, for example, the literary and ar­ at once that we are living today in a is the new age?; (2) What is the tistic achievements of past generations. drab and decadent age, and that a church? Those are things which the new age really new impulse will probably come, The former question is being an­ ought to retain, at least until the new as it has come so many times before, swered in a number of different ways; age can produce something to put in only through a rediscovery of the differences of opinion prevail, in par­ their place, and that it has so far sig­ glories of the past. ticular, with regard to the exact degree nally failed to do. I am well aware Something very similar needs to be of newness to which the new age may that when I say to the new age that said in the realm of political and social justifiably lay claim. There are those Homer is still worth reading, or that science. There, too, something is be­ who think that the new age is so very the Cathedral of Amiens is superior ing lost - something very precious, new that nothing that approved itself to any of the achievements of the art though very intangible and very diffi­ to past ages can conceivably be valid nouveau, I am making assertions cult of defense before those who have now. There are others, however, who which it would be difficult for me to not the love of it in their hearts. I think that human nature remains es­ prove. There is no disputing about refer to civil and religious liberty, for sentially the same and that two and tastes. Yet, after all, until the artistic which our fathers were willing to sac­ two still make four. With this latter impulse is eradicated more thoroughly rifice so much. point of view I am on the whole in­ from human life than has so far been The word "liberty" has a very ar­ clined to agree. In particular, I hold done even by the best efforts of the chaic sound today; it is often put in quotation marks by those who are that facts have a most unprogressive metallic civilization of our day, we can­ habit of staying put, and that if a obliged to use the ridiculous word at thing really happened in the first cen­ not get rid of the categories of good all. Yet, despised though liberty is, tury of our era, the acquisition of new and bad or high and low in the field there are still those who love it; and knowledge and the improvement of unless their love of it can be eradi­ scientific method can never make it cated from their unprogressive souls, into a thing that did not happen. It was thirty years ago on the first they will never be able to agree, in day of the new year that Dr. Machen their estimate of the modern age, with Such convictions do not blind me to entered his heavenly rest at the age of the fact that we have witnessed as­ those who do not love it. 55. During the preceding months he tonishing changes in our day. Indeed, To those lovers of civil and reli­ had served as senior editor of the gious liberty I confess that I belong; the changes have become so rapid as Presbyterian Guardian. to cause many people to lose not only in fact, civil and religious liberty their breath but also, I fear, their This address is reprinted from a seems to me to be more valuable than head. They have led many people to pamphlet reprint from vol. 165 of any other earthly thing - than any think not only that nothing that is old "The Annals of the American Acad­ other thing short of that truer and ought by any possibility to remain in emy of Political and Social Science," profo~der liberty which only God the new age, but also that whatever Philadelphia, January 1933. can gIve. the new age favors is always really Except for an occasional "dated" The Loss of Liberty new. reference, the reader will find Dr. What estimate of the present age Both these conclusions are errone­ Machen's message quite timely. If he can possibly be complete that does not ous. There are old things which ought is surprised at how little the "new take account of what is so marked a to remain in the new age; and many age" has changed since the thirties, he feature of it - namely, the loss of of the things, both good and bad, should not be surprised at the continu­ those civil liberties for which men for­ which the new age regards as new are ing truth and therefore relevance of merly were willing to sacrifice all that really as old as the hills. the gospel. they possessed? In some countries,

January, 1967 3 I

The real trouble lies tn that unseen realm which ts found Is it not in general within that I within the soul of man. realm of the soul of man that the evils I, of society have their origin today? We I have developed a vast and rather won­ such ~ Russia and Italy, the attack indeed, been enormously improved; a derful machinery - the machinery of upon hberty has been blatant and ex­ state-controlled compulsory education our modern life. For some reason it treme; but exactly the same forces has proved far more effective in crush­ has recently ceased to function. The which appear there in more consistent ing out liberty than the older and experts are busily cranking the engine, form appear also in practically all the cruder weapons of fire and sword, and as I used to do with my Ford car in countries of the earth. Everywhere we modern experts have proved to be the heroic days when a Ford was still have the substitution of economic con­ more efficient than the dilettante ty­ a F?rd. They are wondering why the ~nglUe siderations for great principles in the rants of the past. But such differences does not start. They are giv­ conduct of the state; everywhere a a~e differences of degree and not of lUg learned explanations of its failure centralized state, working as the state kind, and essentially the battle for to do so; they are adducing the most necessarily must work, by the use of freedom is the same as it always has intricate principles of dynamics. It is force, is taking possession of the most been. all very instructive, no doubt. But the intimate fields of individual and fam­ real explanation is much simpler. It ily life. Society and the Soul is simply that the driver of the car has forgotten to turn on the switch. These tendencies have proceeded If that battle is lost, if collectivism finally triumphs, if we come to live in The real trouble with the engine of more rapidly in America than in most mo~ern society is that it is not pro­ other countries of the world; for if a world where recreation as well as labor is lrescribed for us by experts ducing a spark. The real trouble lies they have not progressed so far here in that unseen realm which is found as elsewhere, that is only because in appointe by the state, if the sweetness an~ within the soul of man. America they had a greater handicap the sorrows of family relation­ to overcome. Thirty years ago we ships are alike eliminated and liberty That realm cannot be neglected hated bureaucracy and pitied those becomes a thing of the past, we ought even in a time of immediate physical countries in Europe that were under to place the blame for this sad result distress like the present. I do not know bureaucratic control; today we are rap­ of all the pathetic strivings of the in detail how this physical distress is idly becoming one of the most bu­ human race exactly where it belongs. to be relieved. I would to God that I reaucratic countries of the world. Set­ And it does not belong to the external did. But one thing I do know; it will backs to this movement, such as the defeat, for the present at least, of the ~ misnamed "child-labor amendment," y thing really happened in the first century of our era, the the repeal of the Lusk laws in New acquisition of new knowledge and the improvement of scientific York placing private teachers under method can never make it into a thing that did not happen. state supervision and control, the in­ validation of the Nebraska language law making literary education even in conditions of modern life. I know that never be relieved if, in our eagerness private schools a crime, the prevention there are those who say that it does to relieve it, we neglect the unseen so far of the establishment of a Fed­ belong there; I know that there are things. It is not practical to be merely eral department of education - these those who tell us that individualism is practical men; man cannot successfully setbacks to the attack on liberty are, I impossible in an industrial age. But I be treated as a machine; even the phy­ am afraid, but temporary unless the do not believe them for one moment. sical welfare of humanity cannot be present temper of the people changes. Unquestionably, industrialism, with attained if we make that the supreme The international situation, more­ the accompanying achievements of object of our pursuit; even in a day over, is hardly such as to give en­ modern science in both the physical when so many material problems are couragement to lovers of liberty. Ev­ and the social realm, does constitute a pressing for our attention, we cannot erywhere in the world we have cen­ great temptation to destroy freedom; neglect the evils of the soul. but temptation is not compulsion, and tralization of ,ower, the ticketing and THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH cataloguing a the individual by irre­ of real compulsion there is none. sponsible and doctrinaire bureaus, and, No, my friends, there is no real ut if that be so, if the real trouble worst of all, in many places we have reason for mankind to surrender to the B with the world lies in the soul monopolistic control of education by machine. If liberty is crushed out, if of man, we may perhaps turn for help the state. standardization has its perfect work, to an agency which is generally But is all that new? In principle it if the worst of all tyrannies, the thought to have the soul of man as its is not. Something very much like it tyranny of the expert, becomes uni­ special province. I mean the Christian was advocated in Plato's Republic versal, if the finer aspirations of hu­ church. That brings us to our second over two thousand years ago. The manity give way to drab efficiency, do question: What is the church? battle between collectivism and liberty not blame the external conditions in About nineteen hundred years ago, is an age-long battle; and even the the world today. If human life be­ there came forth from Palestine a re­ materialistic paternalism of the mod­ comes mechanized, do not blame the markable movement. At first it was ern state is by no means altogether machine. Put the blame exactly where obscure; but within a generation it was new. The technique of tyranny has, it belongs-upon the soul of man. firmly planted in the great cities of ! ~; 4 The Presbyterian Guardian The supernatural jesus presented in all of our sources was find attested for us in our sources of information is the supernatural Re­ the real jesus. deemer presented in the four Gospels as well as in the Epistles of Paul. If the Roman Empire, and within th~ee turn from Paul to the very first church there was, back of this ~upernatural centuries it had conquered the Empire in Jerusalem. That. too w~s radically figure a real, non-doctrinal, purely itself. It has since then gone forth to doctrinal. In the First Epistle to the huma~ prophet of ~azareth, his. por­ the ends of the earth. That movement Corinthians-again one of the ~niver­ trait must probably he forever hidden is called the Christian church. sally accepted Epistles-Paul glve~ us from us. Such, indeed is exactly the What was it like in the all-impor­ a summary of what he had received skeptical conclusion which is being tant initial period, when the impulse from the primitive Jerusalem ch~rch. reached by some of those who stand which gave rise to it was fresh and What was it that he had received; in the van of what is called progress pure? With regard to the answer ~o what was it that the primimtive J~ru­ in New Testament criticism today. that question, there may be a certal? salem church delivered over unto him? There are others, however - and to amount of agreement among all sen­ Was it a mere exhortation; was it the them the present writer belongs-who ous historians, whether they ar.e them­ mere presentation of .a. proWam of think that the supernatural Jesu~ pre­ life' did the first Christians m Jeru­ selves Christians or not. Certain char­ "Jes.u~ sented in all of our sources of infer­ acteristics of the Christian church at sal;m say merely: has lived a mation was the real Jesus who wa~ke.d the beginning stand out clear in the noble life of self-sacrifice; we have and talked in Palestine, and that It lS eyes both of friends and of foes. been inspired by him to live that life, not necessary for us to have recour~e ~o and we call upon you our hearers to the truly extraordinary hypothesis Doctrinal- share it with us"? Not at all. Here lS It may clearly be observed, for ex­ that the intimate friends of Jesus, who what those first Christians said: were the leaders of the primitive ample, that the Christian churc~ at "Christ died for our sins according to the beginning was radically doctnr~al. church, completely misunderstood their the Scriptures; he was buried; he ?as Master's person and work. Doctrine was not the mere expreSSiOn been raised on the third day according Be that as it may, there is, at any of Christian life, as it is in the prag­ to the Scriptures." That is not an ex­ rate, not a trace of any non-doc~rinal matist skepticism of the present day, hortation but a rehearsal of facts; it is but-just the other way around-the preaching that possessed one bit ?f couched not in the imperative but in ~rly doctrine, logically though not tempo­ the indicative mood; it is not a pro­ power in those days of the Chns­ tian church. It lS perfectly clear that rally, came first and the life afterward. gram, but a doctrine. The life was founded upon the mes­ that strangely powerful mov7ffient I know that modern men have ap­ which emerged from the obscunty of sage, and not the message upon the a~ life. pealed sometimes t:his point from Palestine in the first century of our era the primitive Chnsb~n ..church to was doctrinal from the very beginning That becomes clear everywhere in Jesus himself. The pnt?-lbve church, the primary documents. It appears, and to the very core. It was totally it is admitted was doctnnal; but Jesus unlike the ethical preaching of ~he for example, in the First Epistle to the of Nazareth,' it is said, proclaimed a Thessalonians, which is admitted by Stoic and Cynic ph.dosophers. Unlike simple gospel of divine Fatherhood those philosophers, It had a very clear­ all serious historians, Christian and and human brotherhood, and believed non-Christian, to have been really cut message; and at the center of that in the essential goodness of man. Such message was the doctrine that set forth written by a man of the first Chris­ an appeal from the primitive ~hurch n~me the person and work of Jesus Christ. tian generation-the man whose to Jesus used to be expressed in the it bears. The Apostle Paul there glves cry of the so-called "Liberal" churc~, lntolerant- us a summary of h.is missiona.ry "Back to Christ!" But that cry lS That brings us to our second po!nt. preaching in !hessal?Ulc~-that rms­ somewhat antiquated today. It has ~e­ The primitive church, we have Just sionary preachmg which m Thessalo­ come increasingly clear to the his­ seen, was radically doctrinal. In the nica and in Philippi.and elsewhere torians that the only Jesus whom we (continued on page 10) did, it must be admitted, turn the world upside down. ~hat was th~t missionary preaching like ? Well, It contained a whole system of theology. "Ye turned to God," says Paul, "from idols to serve the living and true God, Machen and to wait for his Son from heaven, Memorial whom he raised from the dead, even Hall Jesus, which delivereth us from .the wrath to come." Christian doctnne, at according to Paul, was not something Westminster that came after salvation, as an expres­ Seminary sion of Christian experience, bu~ it was something necessary to salvation, The Christian life, according to Paul, was founded upon a message. The same thing appears when we

January, 1967 5 The Book and its message thing, which is one reason why it is so all-important. For in it we have from God himself a full account not only of himself but also of the world and of ourselves. A Word to the Living What I am coming to, however, about the message of God's Word, is JOHN RANKIN the question as to what is first and foremost in it. What, so to speak, is the heart and core of all the teach­ s a minister of Jesus Christ and it as God's Word. All ought to accept ing? When we raise that question A gospel preacher it is my privilege it as God's message to the world so there is one and only one answer to and duty to speak to the living and that as we read we know we are listen­ be given, and that is, the gospel. bring a message from God's Word. ing to God. The Gospel There are two things I would like Yet another matter with regard to Now, of course, there is still the to say: one has to do with the Bible the Bible is that it is not just to be question as to what that is. What is itself and the other is about the mes­ read but also should be studied. In the gospel? Many answers have been sage of the Bible. the early days of our education we given. But after all there are in the I were "pupils" or "scholars." But when main only two. One of the two is And first with regard to the Bible we advanced to the higher grades we that of salvation by our own works, itself. The first thing of course is to came to be known as "students," as our own goodness and our own good­ have a Bible. Bibles are plentiful and we applied ourselves to the study of doing. The other is the Bible's an­ I don't know whether you have one the subjects that were brought before swer: which says that salvation is not or not but I hope you have. For every­ us. So also should it be between us by ourselves or by any goodness in us, one ought to have a Bible. Not all do and the Bible. We should ponder for there is none, but only by Christ, but everyone ought to. Whatever other every word with earnest mind to know his goodness and good-doing. For books and reading matter we may what it means so that we may apply Christ is the Savior, the only Savior have, above all we ought to have and it in our lives. of sinner-men. He is the only one who read the Bible. Faith and Practice can save us from our sins and present Everyone ought to read the Bible. Part of our study, I believe, should us faultless before the throne of God. This we should do quite regardless of be to memorize portions of Scripture. This is good news indeed! what others do. In days gone by we Surely all ought to know the first He came for that purpose; his com­ used to have Christian Endeavor so­ verse of the Bible. Other portions of ing was to that end; as the precious cieties. The Christian Endeavorers had the Old Testament which might well Book says: "This is a faithful saying a pledge to this effect: "I will make be committed to memory are certain and worthy of all acceptation (that is, it a rule of my life to pray and read of the Psalms and the Proverbs and worthy of complete acceptance on the the Bible every day." Without going selected sayings of the prophets. And part of all), that Christ Jesus came into the matter of the pledge, the fact in God's Word in the New Testament into the world to save sinners." remains that everyone ought to be a what a wonderful array of memorable "Christ died for our sins, according Bible reader. Not many are, but every­ passages appear before us, to hide in to the Scriptures." The Lord Jesus one should be. our hearts. "came not to be ministered unto but To go a step further, everyone Now all that has been said so far to minister and to give his life a ran­ ought not only to have and read but brings us to the end in view in all som for many." He died, "the just for also ought to believe the Bible. Not our Bible reading and study - which the unjust, that he might bring us to all do. Many there are who seriously is to know and do the will of God: God." doubt and disbelieve what they read. to live according to his Word. Every­ He who was in the beginning with They develop their own views and ac­ one ought to be in subjection to his God, who was God, laid aside the cept what others say but refuse to take will; in other words, obedient to his brightness of his glory to come down God at his Word. The sad fact is that Word. When the question is put, How out of heaven into the world to re- the churches themselves, the churches is the Bible to be read and heard?­ of today, are full of preachers and the answer is that we should "receive A BELIEVERS LIFE OF CHRIST people who refuse to believe what the it with faith and love, lay it up in our by JOHN RANKIN Bible says. This, however, is no excuse hearts, and practice it in our lives." "These studies impress me as having for our not believing. What others do It is not enough to be Bible-believers; a distinct value for Christian people we must also be Bible-doers. of today ... The reader who ponders or fail to do in this regard should them with open Bible at hand will not make no difference with us. Everyone II fail to receive benefit." - .T ohannes ought to believe the Bible and accept Iving thought about the book it­ Vos in the Foreword. (W. A. Wilde Co., Natick, Mass. H self and how it should be used, 1960, $3.50) Mr. Rankin, author and retired let us turn our attention to the mes­ Order from Orthodox Presbyterian pastor, resides sage that it brings. Great Commission Publications 7401 Old York Rd. with his wife in Worcester, New The Bible speaks of many things; Philadelphia, Pa. 19126 York. as a matter a fact it covers every-

6 The Presbyterian Guardian deem his people. After having lived Trinity Christian College our life and having suffered and died (from the cover) the suffering and death due to us for sin and having risen again he returned Orthodox Presbyterian Church mem­ to glory and will come again to judge bers are working on the staff and fa­ the world. When next he shall appear culty. In addition, the Rev. Francis it will be in power and glory to gather Breisch, pastor of Bethel Church, all before him to divide and judge. Wheaton, serves on the Board of "For we must all appear before the Curators. Beginning this month the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian may receive the things done in his Church of Evergreen Park, Ill. plans body, according to that he hath done, to use Trinity's chapel-auditorium for whether it be good or bad." Sunday worship services while their When Jesus came and began to go relocation program takes place, thus in and out before men he took up the affording Orthodox Presbyterian stu­ message of his herald and forerunner, dents (currently four in number) a John, which was that "the kingdom unique opportunity of worship. The of God is at hand; repent and believe new location for Westminster Church the gospel." This was the good news will be a little over four miles from of the kingdom. And why not? For the campus. in Jesus Christ the King himself, the Trinity Christian College was or­ Lord of all, was here, God with us, ganized by a committed core of Chris­ ALEXANDER C. DE JONG present on earth among us in the tians who confess and love the Re­ President of Trinity Flesh, in all the wonder of his love formed faith. It works closely with ing task to perform for God's glory. and grace. "For God so loved the churches which adhere to the historic The college offers education of world, that he gave his only begotten Reformed faith, but is not owned or such a kind that students in later Son, that whosoever believeth in him operated by anyone denomination. years will be able to understand and should not perish, but have everlasting Just as Westminster Theological Semi­ evaluate the Christian, anti-Christian life." nary is free from ecclesiastical owner­ and post-Christian forces and move­ Jesus the Savior ship so is Trinity Christian College. ments in their world. Here is an in­ This, then, is the great message of It was designed this way so that many stitution where vital Christianity suf­ from various denominations which God's Word, the heart and core of all fuses every academic discipline-thus were once loyal to the faith may have prod~cing the teaching; that is, that the Son of a Reformed Christian per­ a school where the focus of a liberal God is come, or as we are wont to spectIve for all of life. And this is arts education is the unreconstructed say: "Jesus, the Savior, is here." precisely what is needed as the acids Reformed faith. As the Holy Spirit Let us make no mistake about it. of god-less secularity continue to eat leads it may very well become a fact Let us have no doubt or question. The away at the foundations of life. that Trinity Christian College becomes Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, the only At present the school is beginning for the Presbyterian and Reformed Lord and Savior of men, now sits on a vigorous building program. In the communities of North America what heaven's throne at the right hand of spring, a third new residence hall will Wheaton College has become for those God, the Father. At the same time be built to house some 60 resident Evangelicals largely of the Baptist and this same Lord Jesus is also at work students. Purposely the residences are Independent tradition. While the bib­ here on earth. He is here just as truly, kept small so that a family spirit of lically Christian foundations of life although in another way, as he was student interaction may prevail. A new are fast eroding in our secular age, the when he lived and walked this poor classroom-library building is on the academic community at Trinity Chris­ old sin-cursed world of ours and went drawing boards and should be ready tian College has an urgent and excit- in and out among men in the days of for occupancy by the fall of 1968. As his flesh. more and more students desiring a And as he called men to him in his COLLEGE TEACHERS biblically formed liberal arts education day so he calls to us today. And God, We invite confidential inquiries come to this campus, we hope to have the Father, calls and God, the Spirit. from persons committed to the Re­ adequate facilities on hand for their formed Faith wishing to consider education. We ask for your prayers And God's own true church and teaching at Trinity, especially those people ever echo the refrain to look that this venture into Christian higher competent in one of the following: education on a solid Reformed and unto Jesus, to come to him and find Biology, Chemistry, EngUsh all life and love, all joy and blessed­ German, History, Art Presbyterian basis may continue to re­ ness, in him who is the light of men, The doctorate or an active doctoral ceive the blessings of our Savior. the light which shines out in the program is expected. Inquiries The academic community welcomes about combining college teaching your inquiries about this young, grow­ darkness and sends forth its cheering with graduate study in the Chicago ray, inviting us to come to him who area are also solicited. ing school. The address is Trinity said: "I am the light of the world; Dean of the College Christian College, 12301 Cheyenne he that followeth me shall not walk TRINITY CHRISTIAN Drive, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463. COLLEGE in darkness, but shall have the light Palos Heights, Illinois 60463 -ALEXANDER C. DE JONG, TH.D., of life." President

January, 1967 n an important article in Banner I of Truth, Volume I, 1959, the Reverend J. I. Packer points out the The Changing Scene difference between the methodology of modern evangelism and the meth­ HENRY W. CORAY odology of the Puritans. Since the days of Charles Finney, who affirmed that all men have plenary ability to turn to toward God. The task of the Lord's the way of salvation to a single indi­ God at any time and who confined the spokesmen therefore is to declare vidual, and so turned that one man Holy Spirit's activity to "moral per­ God's mind as defined in the text, from darkness to light and from the suasion," popular evangelism has in show the way of salvation, exhort the power of Satan to God. general adopted Finney's pattern, de­ unconverted to learn the law, humble manding immediate repentance and themselves, pray that God will reveal faith on the part of all sinners. Mr. * * * their guilt, and enable them to come was visiting one of our eastern Packer is firm in repudiating this to Christ. "Preachers are sent to tell pressure approach. The gospel, he I churches recently. The minister re­ all men that they must repent and be­ I maintains, requires an immediate re­ marked to me that although a large lieve in order to be saved, but it is V sponse from all but it does not require no part of the message and word of number of young people representing our movement live near the church the the same response from all. God if they go further and tell all the response is very disappointing. I should "The immediate duty of the unpre­ unconverted that they ought 'to decide pared sinner is not to try to believe in for Christ' (to use a common modern like to appeal to our youth to lend Christ, which he is not able to do, but phrase) on the spot." vigorous support to your sister church (or if you happen to belong to to read, inquire, pray, use the means Dr. Packer puts the issue squarely of grace and learn what he needs to another denomination committed to the before us when he asks, "Which way Reformed testimony to do the same). be saved from ... It is God's pre­ are we to take in our endeavors to rogative, not the evangelist's, to fix Why, I often ask myself, can the spread the gospel today? Forward Pentecostalists or the cultists command the time when men shall first savingly along the road of modern evangelism, believe. For the latter to try to do so, such almost passionate loyalty, and we the intensive big-scale, short-term who are committed to such a glorious is for man to take to himself the 'campaign' with its sustained whee­ sovereign right of the Holy Ghost. It heritage meet with cold indifference? dling for decisions and its streamlined Do you know the answer? is an act of presumption, however machinery for handling shoals of 'con­ credible the evangelist's motive may verts' ? Or back to the old Puritan be. Hereby he goes beyond his com­ evangelism, the quieter, broader-based, *** mission as God's messenger; and here­ long-time strategy based on the local y pastor and I attended a round of by he risks doing incalculable damage church, according to which men seek M The U.S. Open Golf Tournament to the souls of men." Again, "The simply to be faithful in delivering And watched with delight appeal for immediate decision pre­ God's message and leave it to the sov­ The masters of the game flash their supposes that men are free to 'decide ereign Spirit to draw men to faith greatness on the course. for Christ' at any time, and this pre­ through the message in His own way "Sheer wizardry," my pastor said, supposition is the disastrous issue of a and at His own speed? Which is con­ shaking his head. false, un-Scriptural view of sin." sistent with the Bible doctrine of sin, But en route home a reaction set III Puritan Evangelism and of conversion? Which glorifies And he was glum. "I'm going to smash my clubs into Over against. this, the Puritan type God? These are questions which de­ pieces," he said sadly, of evangelism was based on the solid mand the most urgent consideration conviction that the conversion of the at the present time." "And give up the ganie. Those men back there sinner was the gracious sovereign work The British writer's analysis has Are too much - too much." of divine power. Conversion was ef­ doubtless disturbed church leaders who fected "both mediately, by the Word, earnestly long to see men and women Suddenly he brightened, and added, in the mind, giving understanding and won to Christ, and who therefore are "Ah well, but after all conviction, and at the same time im­ inclined to be impatient with the older They can't preach sermons." mediately, with the Word, in the hid­ and more scriptural method of the -The Old Chinese Philosopher 'j den depths of the heart, implanting Puritans. We are living in a period of '. new life and power, effectively de­ mass production. We have come to the MOVING TO CHICAGO? throning sin, and making the sinner place where in evangelism, as in busi­ The Rev. Donald Parker will send both able and willing to respond to ness, we despise the day of small you a free map of Metropolitan Chi­ the gospel invitation." The reason the things. Not so with our gracious God. cago, locating lOS residential develop­ Puritans believed this was that they Let us never forget that he whose way ments in relation to tollways, express­ ways and other major routes up to 50 took seriously the teaching of Scrip­ is in the sea, whose path is in the miles north, 40 miles west, and 30 ture that man is dead in sin, radically great waters, and whose footsteps are miles south of Chicago's loop. A de­ depraved, sin's helpless bondslave. not known, once called an evangelist tailed driving guide to the model They set man's total inability to resp?nd (Philip) conducting a swe~ing re­ homes is included. Write to Mr. Parker (pastor of Westminster Orthodox to the overtures of grace over agamst vival in a large city (Samaria) and Presbyterian Church) at 3516 W. 96th the Spirit's ability to incline the heart sent him out into the desert to explain Street, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60642.

8 The Presbyterian Guardian the overture now being considered by General Assembly" and that the the presbyteries.) His train of thought UPUSA is therefore "more catholic, is both too long and too devious to be evangelical, and reformed than ever repeated here, but it is based chiefly on before." the "mind" or "intention" of the 1966 This is like eating your cake and Assembly in adopting the proposal­ having it too-or more bluntly, it is actually in refusing to pass a "crucial saying, "Heads I win, tails you lose." EDITOR amendment" which he admits would It is this wholly implausible approach ROBERT E. NICHOLAS have clarified "vague and debatable that has helped to ensure the capitula­ language." tion of the misnamed "Presbyterians Though this clarifying amendment United for Biblical Confession." It is All correspondence should be ad­ failed to pass, Gerstner insists that clear what their "intention" has been dressed to The Presbyterian Guardian, both its proponent and Dr. Edward -language to the contrary notwith­ 7401 Old York Road, Phila., Pa. 19126 Dowey (who opposed it as "unneces­ standing. Those who cherish the Pres­ sary") agreed that its "intention" was byterian faith can but weep. "implicit" in the subscription question R.E.N. f Capitulation as it stands. Yet Professor Gerstner , hen the revised form of the Con­ goes on to say that this subscription EDITOR'S MAIL BOX fession of 1967 was adopted by question "remains the most defective W item in the entire Book of Confessions Ed. Note: The second of seven sub­ the Boston Assembly (UPUSA) last scription questions to be asked of can­ May the reaction of most Presbyterians and threatens to vitiate the entire document if it is construed with didates for ordination under the pro­ United for Biblical Confession may be posed constitutional revision now be­ summed up in the phrase, "We can strictest literality." The query persists: if the language fore the United Presbyterian Church is live with it." Their decision (with very as follows: few exceptions) to give up the fight has of the question to which the ordinand been bolstered by some of their adher­ must solemnly subscribe may not be Do you accept the Scriptures of ents in the religious press. (Henry understood literally, why bother with the Old and New Testaments to Coray took note of one such piece by it at all? Gerstner sees that "there is be the unique and authoritative Thomas Gregory in his "Changing a conflict between language and inten­ witness to Jesus Christ in the Scene" column in the October 1966 tion. The language simply does not say Church catholic, and by the Holy Guardian.) that the ordinand believes the 'instruc­ Spirit God's word to you? tion' and will necessarily follow the Dear Sir: Another attempt is found in an ar­ 'guidance.' " ticle by John Gerstner entitled "New he phrase in the proposed subscrip­ Apparently it will be necessary for tion statement for officers in the Light on the Confession of 1967" an ordinand-say in 1976-first to as­ T (Christianity Today, December 9, United Presbyterian Church in the certain the "intention" of the 1966 As­ U.S.A. "and by the Holy Spirit God's 1966). Unhappily, the light is so dim sembly. The presbytery will then have as to be scarcely discernible. Dr. Gerst­ word to you" is not just a casting to determine the "mind" of the man into different, but synonymous or ex­ ner acknowledges that the revised docu­ (or woman) taking the ambiguous planatory words the biblical teaching ment "has its original neo-orthodox vow. With this as a start by the time character still extant ... and yet has also the "instruction" and "guidance" of of the Westminster Confession of some unmistakably alien, orthodox ele­ these Confessions reaches the "mind" Faith. It says in chapter 1, paragraph ments super-imposed on its basic struc­ of the average man in the pew no one V: "... yet notwithstanding, our full ture." Now it is one thing to have a is going to be able to pin down much persuasion and assurance of the infalli­ few unfinished rooms in a building of anything. Surely God never intended ble truth and divine authority thereof, that has a solid foundation; but it is language to be so misused. Here is is from the inward work of the Holy quite different to take up residence in subjectivism to the third degree! Spirit bearing witness by and with a building (even if all the upper rooms After thrice conceding that the whole the Word in our hearts." are in good shape) if its "basic struc­ state of affairs is "ambiguous," and The new statement is, as a matter of ture"-its foundation and framework stating that he is "unsatisfied with this fact, a denial of this older formula­ -is unsafe. This is the case with the document-in fact, grievously dis­ tion, though admittedly one must look new Confession. tressed with it," Dr. Gerstner again deeper than the surface to see this. 1 The main thrust of Gerstner's argu­ appeals to the "intention" of the As­ Every creed or confession must be seen ment, however, deals with the revised sembly as reason for profound grati­ in its historical context, if you will, third subscription question to be asked tude to God for the results of the from within the theological mentality of candidates for ordination: "Will you church-wide debate of the past year! in which it was framed. Therefore, perform the duties (of ruling elder, In conclusion he expresses the hope though this new statement could have deacon, or minister) in obedience to that if the proposed overture is de­ almost any meaning attached to it, Jesus Christ, under the authority of the feated, it may be on the ground of Christians who are affected by it Scriptures, and under the continuing "the inadequacy of the language." If should not dupe themselves into think­ instruction and guidance of the con­ on the other hand it passes (as it is ing that everything is all right. This fessions of this Church?" (The refer­ doing overwhelmingly in the presby­ statement was formulated in a Bible­ ence, of course, is to the proposed Book teries), "we shall insist," he says, that denying climate, and therefore it is no of (8) Confessions to be adopted in it carries "the meaning given it by the better than an out-and-out denial of

January, 1967 9 the divine authority of the Scriptures. The Westminster Confession is cor­ The responsibility of the church ui the new age is the same rect when it says that in vain we try as its responsibility in every age. to convince ourselves of the divine ------character of the Scriptures. For it is Machen (from page 5) only by the sovereign work of the second place, it was radically intoler­ Conflicts in the Church Spirit witnessing to us by and with ant. In being radically intolerant, as These characteristics of primitive the Word which has been given that in being radically doctrinal, it placed Christianity have never been com­ we shall be convinced. The point is, itself squarely in opposition to the pletely lost in the long history of the though, that if the Holy Spirit does spirit of that age. That was an age of Christian church. They have, however, not choose to reveal this truth to us, syncretism and tolerance in religion; always had to be defended against the Bible is no less the Word of God. it was an age of what J. S. Phillimore foes within as well as without the When the Christian says that the has called "the courtly polygamies of church. The conflicts began in apos­ Bible is God's Word, he is saying the soul." But with that tolerance, tolic days; and there is in the New something about the Bible in and of with those courtly polygamies of the Testament not a bit of comfort for itself. Whether human opinion is in soul, the primitive Christian church the feeble notion that controversy in agreement or not, whether people com­ would have nothing to do. It de­ the church is to be avoided, that a prehend this or not, it does not mat­ manded a completely exclusive devo­ man can make his preaching positive ter; it is truth, unalterable. tion. A man could not be a worshiper without making it negative, that he The fault of this proposed subscrip­ of the God of the Christians and at can ever proclaim truth without at­ tion statement is that it denies this the same time be a worshiper of other tacking error. Another conflict arose basic truth, although it does so in a gods; he could not accept the salvation in the second century, against Gno­ very subtle manner. This statement is offered by Christ and at the same time sticism, and still another when Augus­ saying that it does not make any dif­ admit that for other people there tine defended against Pelagius the ference as to what the Bible is in it­ might be some other way of salvation; Christian view of sin. self; as a matter of fact, this statement he could not agree to refrain from At the close of the Middle Ages, it is saying that the Bible is not the proselytizing among men of other looked as though at last the battle Word of God, in the ordinary sense faiths, but came forward, no matter were lost - as though at last the of those words. It only matters what what it might cost, with a universal church had become merged with the value it may have for me at a par­ appeal. That is what I mean by saying world. When Luther went to Rome, a ticular moment. It is a question of that the primitive Christian church blatant paganism was there in control. value judgment. was radically intolerant. But the Bible was rediscovered; the Therefore, when the neo-orthodox Ethical- ninety-five theses were nailed up; Cal­ theologian or disciple says that the In the third place, the pnmitrve vin's Institutes was written; there was Bible is God's Word, he is not con­ church was radically ethical. Religion a counter-reformation in the Church fessing something about the Bible it­ in those days, save among the Jews, of Rome; and the essential character self (though he may use exactly the was by no means closely connected of the Christian church was preserved. same words the Calvinist uses); he is with goodness. But with such a non­ The Reformation, like primitive Chris­ confessing, rather, something about ethical religion the primitive Christian tianity, was radically doctrinal, radi­ himself. It is important for us to re­ church would have nothing whatever cally intolerant, and radically ethical. member that the thinking behind this to do. God, according to the primi­ It preserved these characteristics in the theological statement is that this pro­ tive Christians, is holy; and in his face of opposition. It would not go a position is concerned to tell us of the presence no unclean thing can stand. step with Erasmus, for example, in his unfolding of faith's understanding of Jesus Christ presented a life of per­ indifferentism and his tolerance; it was the Bible, and not of the self-imposed fect goodness upon earth; and only founded squarely on the Bible, and it revelation of God upon men with re­ they can belong to him who hunger proclaimed, as providing the only way spect to the Bible. This is what un­ and thirst after righteousness. Chris­ of salvation, the message that the believing theology has done with all tians were, indeed, by no means per­ Bible contains. of the doctrines of Christianity. fect; they stood before God only in At the present time, the Christian But I ask you how something can the merit of Christ their Saviour, not church stands in the midst of another have the value of God's Word for me in their own merit; but they had been conflict. Like the previous conflicts, (subjectively), if in reality it is not saved for holiness, and even in this it is a conflict not between two forms God's Word (objectively)? What life that holiness must begin to appear. of the Christian religion but between comfort is there in this for my hell­ A salvation which permitted a man to the Christian religion on the one hand ward bound existence? In view of this continue in sin was, according to the and an alien religion on the other. Yet fact I think no Christian (officer or primitive church, no matter what pro­ -again like the previous conflicts-it layman) in the U.P.U.S.A. has the fession of faith it might make, noth­ is carried on within the church. The right to remain silent or comfortable ing but a sham. non-Christian forces have made use in a church which would undermine the foundation of his faith. RONALD L. SHAW The Reformation, like primitiue Christianity, was radically Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania doctrinal, radically intolerant, and radically ethical.

10 The Presbyterian Guardian It is no interference with liberty for a church to insist that Westminster Seminary Notes those who do choose to be its representatives shall not use the id-January found Dr. James I. vantage ground of such a position to attack that for which the M Packer, Warden of Latimer church exists. House, Oxford, beginning a six-week period as Special Lecturer at Westmin­ ster Seminary. One series of lectures of Christian terminology and have vague type of religion to which Chris­ will be on English Puritanism. The sought to dominate the organization tianity from its very beginning was other course is on the Doctrine of the of the church. diametrically opposed. Work of Christ in its development This modern attack upon the Chris­ So, in speaking about the responsi­ through the centuries. tian religion has assumed many differ­ bility of the church in the new age, I Two Worcester Lectures are sched­ ent forms, but everywhere it is essen­ want it to be distinctly understood uled, the first on January 20 by H. tially the same. Sometimes it is frankly that I am not speaking about the re­ Evan Runner, Th.M., Ph. D., Profes­ naturalistic, denying the historicity of sponsibility of the existing Protestant sor of Philosophy at Calvin College. the basic miracles, such as the resur­ church organizations (unless they can His topic is "Philosophizing by the rection of Jesus Christ. At other times be reformed), but about the responsi­ Light of God's Word - Some Illus­ it assails the necessity rather than the bility of a true Christian church. The trations of Its Usefulness." Dr. Run­ truth of the Christian message; but, present ecclesiastical organizations may ner, who received his B.D. from West­ strictly speaking, to assail the neces­ have their uses in the world. There minster in 1939, will also address the sity of the message is to assail its may be a need for such societies of All-Seminary Banquet that evening at truth, since the universal necessity of general welfare as some of them have the Collegeville Inn. the message is at the center of the become; there may be a need for the The second Worcester Lecturer is message itself. Often the attack uses political activities in which they are Dr. Jan D. Dengerink of the Nether­ the shibboleths of a complete prag­ increasingly engaged: but such func­ lands, who is to speak on February matist skepticism. Christianity, it de­ tions are certainly not at all the dis­ 6 on "The Christian's Responsibility clares, is a life and not a doctrine; tinctive function of a real Christian in Society." Dr. Dengerink is a foun­ and doctrine is the expression, in the church. der of the International Association thought-forms of each generation, of Even in the sphere of such worldly for Reformed· Faith and Action and Christian experience. One doctrine functions, I am inclined to think that an editor of its "Bulletin." may express Christian experience in there are agencies more worthy of your The annual Day of Prayer has been this generation; a contradictory doc­ attention than these Protestant church planned for February 2, with Profes­ trine may express it equally well in a organizations, or than, for example, sor Charles Horne as guest speaker. generation to come. That means, of such an organization as the Federal Professor Horne is a member of the course, not merely that this or that Council of the Churches of Christ in faculty of the Wheaton Graduate truth is being attacked, but that truth America.* The trouble is that the gen­ School of Theology. Prior to his pres­ itself is being attacked. The very pos­ tlemen in control of these organiza­ ent appointment he taught at the sibility of our attaining to truth, as tions are, though with the best and Moody Bible Institute. He is an elder distinguished from mere usefulness, is most honorable intentions in the in Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian denied. world, in a hopelessly false position. Church, Wheaton, Illinois. Church Organizations Depart February 14 is the annual Alumni The churches are for the most part Day at Westminster. President Ed­ from the Faith creedal; it is on the basis of their mund P. Clowney will bring greetings This pragmatist skepticism, this op­ creeds that they have in the past ap­ and Professor E. Young will speak timistic religion of a self-sufficient pealed, and that to some extent they J. humanity, has been substituted today, concerning Old Testament matters still appeal, for support; yet the cen­ prior to the dinner in Machen Hall. to a very considerable extent, in most tral organizations of the churches have of the Protestant communions, for the Dr. Packer is to give the evening ad­ quietly pushed the creeds into the dress, reports the Rev. Calvin Busch, redemptive religion hitherto known as background and have devoted them­ president of the Alumni Association. Christianity-that redemptive religion selves to other activities and a differ­ The new term also saw the Rev. C. with its doctrines of the awful trans­ ent propaganda. Perhaps in doing so John Miller undertaking his work as cendence of God, the hopelessness of they have accomplished good here and Lecturer in Practical Theology, teach­ a mankind lost in sin, and the mysteri­ there in a worldly sort of way. But, in ing a course in Christian Education ous grace of God in the mighty re­ general, the false position in which and offering a new course on Calvin­ demptive acts of the coming and they stand has militated against their ism in American Literature. Mr. death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. highest usefulness. Equivocation, the Miller, a former Christian High Many of the rank and file of the double use of traditional terminology, churches, many of the individual con­ School teacher and Orthodox Presby­ subscription to solemn creedal state­ terian pastor, taught English at the gregations, are genuinely Christian; ments in a sense different from the University of the Pacific while work­ but the central organizations of the sense originally intended in those ing toward his Ph.D. He is now fin­ churches have in many cases gradually statements - these things give a man ishing his doctoral dissertation. He has discontinued their propagation of the served for the past year and a half as pastor of the Mechanicsville, Pa. Christian religion and have become * Predecessor of the National Council agencies for the propagation of a of Churches. Chapel.

January, 1967 11 a poor platform upon which to stand, It would, indeed, be an interference no matter what it is that he proposes, with liberty for a church, through the upon that platform, to do. ballot box or otherwise, to use the CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE power of the state to compel men to CHRISTIAN CHURCH assent to the church's creed or con­ Ut if the existing Protestant church form to the church's program. To that B organizations, with some notable kind of intolerance I am opposed with exceptions, must be radically reformed all my might and main. I am also op­ before they can be regarded as truly posed to church union for somewhat Christian, what, as distinguished from similar reasons, as well as for other these organizations, is the function of reasons still more important. I am op­ a true Christian church? posed to the depressing dream of one monopolistic church organization, plac­ Doctrinal- ing the whole Protestant world under In the first place, a true Christian one set of committees and boards. If church, now as always, will be radi­ that dream were ever realized, it would cally doctrinal. It will never use the be an intolerable tyranny. Certainly it Mahaffys Present Skit shibboleths of a pragmatist skepticism. would mean the death of any true skit written and performed by It will never say that doctrine is the Christian unity. I trust that the efforts members of the Mahaffy family expression of experience; it will never of the church-unionists may be de­ A was a feature of the annual harvest confuse the useful with the true, but feated, like the efforts of the oppon­ dinner of Westminster Church, West­ will place truth at the basis of all ents of liberty in other fields. chester, Illinois. Young people served its striving and all its life. Into the But when I say that a true Christian the chicken dinner prepared by the welter of changing human opinion, church is radically intolerant, I mean women of the congregation, whose into the modern despair with regard simply that the church must maintain pastor is the Rev. Ivan DeMaster. to any knowledge of the meaning of the high exclusiveness and universal­ Pictured are Samuel, Mrs. Mahaffy, life, it will come with a clear and im­ ity of its message. It presents the Elizabeth, Peter, Mary, Paul, and the perious message. That message it will gospel of Jesus Christ not merely as Rev. Francis Mahaffy - portraying Find in the Bible, which it will hold to one way of salvation, but as the only family life and dress in Eritrea. Mr. contain not a record of man's religious way. It cannot make common cause Mahaffy elaborated on the mission experience but a record of a revelation with other faiths. It cannot agree not work in that land, following the skit. from God. to Jroselytize. Its appeal is universal, Intolerant - an admits of no exceptions. All are lost in sin; none may be saved except not; but it will be far too intense a In the second place, a true Chris­ by the way set forth in the gospel. passion ever to be satisfied with a tian church will be radically intolerant. Therein lies the offense of the Chris­ mere philanthropy. It will offer men At that point, however, a word of ex­ tian religion, but therein lies also its simple benefits; it will never pass planation is in place. The intolerance glory and its power. A Christianity coldly by on the other side when a of the church, in the sense in which I tolerant of other religions is just no man is in bodily need. But it will am speaking of it, does not involve Christianity at all. any interference with liberty; on the never be content to satisfy men's bod­ contrary, it means the preservation of Ethical- ily needs; it will never seek to make liberty. One of the most important In the third place, a true Christian men content with creature comforts or elements in civil and religious liberty church will be radically ethical. It will with the coldness of a vague natural is the right of voluntary association­ not be ethical in the sense that it will religion. Rather will it seek to bring the right of citizens to band them­ cherish any hope in an appeal to the all men everywhere, without excep­ selves together for any lawful purpose human will; it will not be ethical in tion, high and low, rich and poor, whatever, whether that purpose does the sense that it will regard itself as learned and ignorant, compatriot and or does not commend itself to the gen­ perfect, even when its members have alien, into the full warmth and joy erality of their fellow men. Now, a been redeemed by the grace of God. of the household of faith. church is a voluntary association. No But it will be ethical in the sense that What the Church Should Avoid it will cherish the hope of true good­ one is compelled to be a member of There are certain things which you ness in the other world, and that even it; no one is compelled to be one of cannot expect from such a true Chris­ here and now it will exhibit the begin­ its accredited representatives. It is, tian church. In the first place, you nings of a new life which is the gift therefore, no interference with liberty cannot expect from it any cooperation for a church to insist that those who of God. with non-Christian religion or with a do choose to be its accredited repre­ That new life will express itself in non-Christian program of ethical cul­ sentatives shall not use the vantage love. Love will overflow, without ture. There are those who tell us that ground of such a position to attack questions, without calculation, to all the Bible ought to be put into the pub­ that for which the church exists. men whether they be Christians or lic schools, and that the public schools should seek to build character by showing the children that honesty is A Christianity tolerant of other religions is just no Chris­ the best policy and that good Ameri­ tianity at all. cans do not lie nor steal. With such

12 The Presbyterian Guardian programs a true Christian church will A morality based upon human experience instead of upon have nothing to do. The Bible, it will the law of God is no true morality. h.old, is made. to say t~e direct oppo­ site of what It means If any hope is held out to mankind from its ethical church is turning aside from its proper human history - is an infinitesimal portions apart from its great redemp­ mission, which is to bring to bear island in the awful depths of eternity; tive center and core; and character upon human hearts the solemn and that there is a mysterious, holy living building on the basis of human ex­ imperious, yet also sweet and gracious, God, Creator of all, Upholder of all, perience may be character destruction; appeal of the gospel of Christ. infinitely beyond all; that he has re­ it is the very antithesis of that view What the Church Should Do vealed himself to us in his Word and of sin which is at the foundation of Such things you cannot expect from offered us communion with himself all Christian convictions and all Chris­ a true Christian church. But there are through Jesus Christ the Lord; that tian life. other things which you may expect. there is no other salvation, for indi­ There is no such thing, a true Chris­ If you are dissatisfied with a relative viduals or for nations, save this, but tian Church will insist, as a universally goodness, which is no goodness at all; that this salvation is full and free, and valid fund of religious principles upon if you are conscious of your sin and if that whosoever possesses it has for which particular religions, including you hunger and thirst after righteous­ himself and for all others to whom he the Christian religion, may build; "re­ ness; if you are dissatisfied with the may be the instrument of bringing it a ~igion" in that vague sense is not only world and are seeking the living God, treasure compared with which all the madequate but false; and a morality then turn to the church of Jesus Christ. kingdoms of the earth - nay, all the based upon human experience instead That church is not always easy to dis­ wonders of the starry heavens-are as of upon the law of God is no true tinguish today. It does not always pre­ the dust of the street. morality. Against such programs of re­ sent itself to you in powerful organi­ An unpopular message it is-an im­ ligious education and character build­ zations; it is often hidden away here practical message, we are told. But it ing, a true Christian church will seek and there, in individual congregations is the message of the Christian church. from the state liberty for all parents resisting the central ecclesiastical mech­ Neglect it, and you will have destruc­ everywhere to bring up their children anism; it is found in groups, large or tion; heed it, and you will have life. in accordance with the dictates of their small, of those who have been re­ conscience, will bring up its own chil­ deemed from sin and are citizens of a dren in accordance with the Word of heavenly kingdom. But wherever it is found, you must turn to that true THE SINGING SAVIOR (Psalm 22) In a forthcoming issue the Rev. church of Jesus Christ for a message Henry W. Coray will begin a series from God. The message will not be e came into our midst with song. of articles on the life and influence enforced by human authority or by the Hallelujah ! of J. Gresham Machen and its sig­ H nificance for a new generation. Mr. pomp of numbers. Yet some of you He had the smell of hell. Coray, Orthodox Presbyterian pas­ may hear it. If you do hear it and My God! My God! tor in Sunnyvale, California, is the heed it, you will possess riches greater Where are You ? author of several books as well as than the riches of all the world. Where am I? of the popular column, "The Chang­ ing Scene," in this periodical. Do you think that if you heed the message you will be less successful His song explodes.with wrath and God, and will try to persuade all other students of political and social science; curse. parents, becoming Christians, to bring do you think that by becoming citizens Hallelujah ! up their children in that same Chris­ of another world you will become less He has the scent of heav'n. tian way. fitted to solve this world's problems; My God! My God! In the second place, you cannot ex­ do you think that acceptance of the Here You are ! pect from a true Christian church any Christian message will hinder political Here I am ! official pronouncements upon the po­ or social advance? No, my friends. I litical or social questions of the day, will present to you a strange paradox His song exults with righteousness. and you cannot expect cooperation but an assured truth - this world's Hallelujah ! with the state in anything involving problems can never be solved by those He has the breath of peace. the use of force. Important are the who make this world the object of Our God! Our God ! functions of the police, and members their desires. This world cannot ulti­ We are here! of the church, either individually or in mately be bettered if you think that We are near! such special associations as they may this world is all. To move the world choose to form, should aid the police you must have a place to stand. Sing on ! Sing on ! Lord Jesus Christ! in every lawful way in the exercise of The Christian Message Hallelujah ! those functions. But the function of This, then, is the answer that I give Repeat redemption's theme. the church in its corporate capacity is to the question before us. The re­ Your God! Our God ! of an entirely different kind. Its sponsibility of the church in the new The elect weapons against evil are spiritual, not age is the same as its responsibility in Sing Your song. carnal; and by becoming a political every age. It is to testify that this Hallelujah ! lobby, through the advocacy of politi­ world is lost in sin; that the span of cal measures whether good or bad, the human life - nay, all the length of CALVIN A. BUSCH

January, 1967 13 he committee appointed by the MARGINAL NOTES on questions concerning T Portland General Assembly to delve into the propriety of admitting to membership in the Orthodox Pres­ byterian Church parents who refuse to Parents andInfant Baptism present their children for baptism did an admirable piece of work. Evidence NORMAN SHEPHERD from Scripture and the constitution of the church was marshalled to de­ our constitution to grant these parents that the doctrine of the covenant of monstrate in no uncertain terms that membership but refuse them the Lord's grace is all-pervasive in Scripture and children of believers ought to be bap­ Supper? That is, to apply the less that it takes no great powers of rea­ tized. Undoubtedly the report is cor­ severe form of discipline before the soning to find the rightful place of rect in asserting from the beginning more severe? the children of believers within its that the baptism of the children of be­ fold.") lievers is a divine institution, and as 2. The same point can be made such is beyond dispute in the denomi­ from another angle. Suppose a child­ But the proposition that one who nation. less couple sound in doctrine joined refused "the sign and seal of union the church. Suppose further that by with Christ, of the remission of sins, Apparently, however, the Oostburg the time the children came, the par­ and of regeneration by the Spirit" may Assembly was not entirely certain that ents had changed their views and re­ be welcomed to the Lord's table is, to the matter had been resolved, and fused to let the children be baptized. say the least, highly debatable. Would voted to send the report to sessions Would the session without further not the same delinquency preventing for study. The following comments action simply excommunicate this his membership in the church also are not intended as definitive wisdom couple? Would not the session rather prevent his attendance at the Lord's on the subject but are offered as mar­ enter upon a period of intensive in­ Supper? Applied to the case of par­ ginal notes to encourage and assist in struction? Excommunication might be ents, would not the same logic tend the study proposed by the Assembly. the ultimate issue, but not necessarily to exclude them from both the Lord's 1. The report seems to be saying (see below, note 6). It would seem Supper and membership? that while parents refusing to present presumptuous to assume that excom­ Credible Profession their children for baptism ought not munication will be the ultimate issue to be admitted to membership in the and on that ground to refuse mem­ Nevertheless, the report would wel­ church they are to be offered the fel­ bership to parents having anti-paedo­ come these parents to the Lord's table. lowship of the congregation even to baptist (anti-infant-baptist) views. This charity seems to arise from "sym­ the point of participation in the Lord's pathy" commended by the admitted Supper. That is to say, they may be The Body of Christ forcefulness of "anti-paedobaptist ar­ communicants, but not communicant 3. Neither party in the dispute guments" in the minds of some members. would seem ready to exclude from the people. Presumably these arguments Lord's Supper believing parents re­ The refusal of communicant mem­ are stronger than those which could fusing to present their children for bership is, in the case of a believer, a be advanced against adult baptism. form of discipline, and in effect is a baptism. Instinctively we recognize That being the case, some differentia­ form of excommunication. The Form that such parents belong to the body tion in the treatment of adults refus­ of Government of the Orthodox Pres­ of Christ. However, if we say that ing baptism and parents refusing bap­ byterian Church outlines the steps of one who belongs to the body of Christ tism for the children would seem to discipline to be applied where there is does not belong in the Orthodox Pres­ be in order. Adults refusing baptism byterian denomination, we are in ef­ delinquency; but in that procedure the should be excluded both from the refusal of fellowship at the Lord's fect challenging the catholicity of the Lord's Supper and from membership, table precedes excommunication. denomination and disturbing the unity but ultimately on the grounds that the profession of faith is not credible. Would it not be more consistent with of the body of Christ. 4. The report says, "It is taken for Parents refusing to present their chil­ granted that the person who refuses dren for baptism might be admitted Mr. Shepherd, who is Associate Pro­ to be baptized would not be admitted to the Lord's Supper (as suggested by fessor of Systematic Theology in to communicant membership ..." Un­ the report) and to membership, Westminster Seminary, refers to a com­ fortunately the report does not say though an intensive program of in­ mittee report presented to the 33rd whether he ought also to be excluded struction would have to be undertaken General Assembly. This report was from the Lord's table. In keeping with to deal with the anti-paedobaptist ar­ reprinted in the Presbyterian Guardian, the logic of the report, he might very guments. It is altogether conceivable July-August, 1966, pp. 92-94. well be admitted to the sacrament that following this period of instruc­ The report was sent to the sessions since the report wishes to draw no tion the session might be compelled for study in connection with the As­ sharp line of differentiation between to take further steps of discipline. sembly's declaration "that the admis­ adult baptism and infant baptism, and 5. This writer has heard the argu­ sion to membership of those who can­ insists that the necessity for infant ment developed that a single adult not in good conscience present their baptism is virtually as patent as the baptized believer who rejected the doc­ children for baptism is a matter for necessity for adult baptism. (The re­ trine of infant baptism might properly judgment by the session." port says: "... it must be affirmed be received intothe Orthodox Presby-

14 The Presbyterian Guardian terian Church, but must be refused if 7. Contrary to the suggestion of the declared that the Surgeon-General's re­ he is married and refuses to present report, admitting persons to member­ port on cigarettes had been an under­ children which have been born to the ship in the Orthodox Presbyterian statement at least as far as heart dis­ union. The report does not reflect on Church who refuse to present their eases were concerned. A few months this question but since the thought has children for baptism does not of itself later Dad, who for seventy years had been advanced, it is worth considering. weaken the testimony of the denomi­ smoked or chewed tobacco incessantly, . Such a view would seem to be say­ nation to the necessity of infant bap­ quit. He didn't "cut-down"-he quit mg that delinquency in practice is tism. Delinquency in doctrine or prac­ and never again touched tobacco in worse than delinquency in doctrine. tice by any member of the denomina­ any form. An analogous case might be that of a tion does not of itself represent con­ man who believed there was nothing stitutional laxity. The testimony is de­ A Heritage to Share wrong with murder, but who could stroyed when there is a refusal to What I'm saying is that somehow be admitted to church membership as teach and discipline in accordance with from my parents I learned that while long as he hadn't actually murdered the standards of the church. a trust that is placed in man is bound always to bring disappointment, trust anybody. The fallacy is apparent. If a It is here that the real dangers lie. placed in Christ never makes ashamed. single adult, delinquent in doctrine, Such a shadow of opprobrium has From my earliest recollection I knew may be admitted, because he is not in been cast over church discipline that a position to put his doctrine into sessions may hesitate to take the steps myself as a hell-deserving sinner be­ practice, on what grounds is his mar­ for which a particular case calls. Dis­ yond human help. But I knew also ried colleague to be excluded? Surely cipline is a gift of Christ to his church that Christ had borne the penalty due a childless household is not the price for the purpose of maintaining its me and thought of him as my Savior. of membership in the denomination! purity. We deceive ourselves and do And this knowledge of the love of Instruction and Discipline dishonor to the Savior when we set God in Christ had its rich practical 6. The report suggests that parents aside discipline and assume that we consequence for this present world. refusing to present their children could can maintain doctrinal and moral When dark days came Mother was wont to declare, "Never has God for­ not honestly say that they were willing purity. to heed the discipline of the church. saken us and he will not now," and Undoubtedly this is a strong argument, Dad's silent calm was really a resound­ but there is still room for a question­ Atwell (from page 2) ing "Amen." mark. Is the committee certain that in On such a background how could to understand the grand redemptive every case there is such unwillingness? I consider his leaving this earth to be truths to which Dad's life and atti­ The readiness of these parents to be bad news? He is gone but he left a tudes bore testimony. instructed in the church and sit under rich heritage-infinitely more precious its ministry would initially suggest the His limitations and imperfections than all the wealth that this world opposite. were real, of course. At a very early holds. Surely I could ask nothing bet­ Many who are deficient and delin­ age I broke my china headed doll into ter than that I be allowed to share my quent in doctrine and practice are ad­ perhaps a thousand pieces. My tears heritage with others and know that in mitted to the Orthodox Presbyterian were easily dried for I was sure that sharing it my share can only be en­ Church upon a profession of a willing­ Dad could fix anything. When he riched. ness to heed its discipline. Where the came home from work his failure con­ delinquency becomes more resolute, stituted my first bitter disillusionment. more severe discipline is applied. Only He caught me, at nine years of age, Redeemer Chapel, Atlanta when the party renders his profession playing baseball "catch" with my five year old brother on the Sabbath. It edeemer Orthodox Presbyterian incredible by refusing obedience to R Chapel of Atlanta, Georgia was what he knows to be the command of was doubtless bad pedagogy that he punished me by requiring that I mem­ formally organized on November 13, Christ is he excommunicated. 1966. The group, which had been It is not clear that in every case orize the 23rd Psalm in the old metri­ meeting as a prayer fellowship since where adult believers do not present cal version. But it is evidence that the their children there is such wilful diso­ man was better than his method that early June, was established as a chapel bedience. Indeed, this may well be the beginning then my love for the Psalms by the Session of the Conservative case, but only the judiciary examining has only grown. Presbyterian Church, Harriman, Ten­ the parents could determine that. Only The same year my uncle offered me nessee. Pastor John Thompson, Jr. by thorough investigation can the ses­ two piglets if I would promise never conducts the prayer meeting each Tues­ sion determine whether there is a readi­ to smoke. My immediate response was day evening at the Recreation Center ness to heed the discipline of the church, that Dad smokes and of course I will in Chamblee. too when I am grown. He overheard whether there is a heart-desire to sub­ In organizing this new chapel the and simply told me that actually he mit to the authority of Christ, that is, Session received into membership Mr. whether the profession of faith is did enough smoking for himself, for credible. Certainly a refusal to present my brother, and for me and not to and Mrs. Roy Diefenthaler (formerly children for baptism should cause the make any promises I would not keep­ of Galloway Church, Miami), Mr. session to pause long and hard before but that such a promise would be a and Mrs. Edward Bowker (formerly granting that the fourth question asked good one to make and to keep. I took of the Methodist Church, Hialeah), of incoming members can be answered the piglets and some 45 years later Mr. and Mrs. Travis Gaites and Trent honestly in the affirmative. my brother, then a cardiac specialist, Gaites (formerly of Immanuel Church,

January, 1967 15 Ir. Kenneth Auotin THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN P.O. hox 4376 C.1mpuo St.st1on 7401 Old York Rood At.heno. Georgi.! 30e01 Philadelphia, Po. 19126 Feb 6667 Second Class Postage Paid at Philadelphia, Po. Return Requested

Ocoee), and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Furlong (formerly of Sharon Church, Hialeah). The Session also recorded the names of Stacie and Jody Gaites, Lisa, Debbie, and Susan Diefenthaler, Andrea Furlong, and Eddie and Donny Bowker as covenant children. Visitors have attended the gather­ ings from far and near and a score or more families have shown some inter­ est in a truly Reformed witness in the area. The Tuesday evening meetings are open to all, and Mr. Thompson I would appreciate receiving the names and addresses of others who may have concern for an Orthodox Presbyterian testimony or who should be called upon. Local contact may be made through the Diefenthalers (451-0356) or the Bowkers (451-6208). Seattle Congregation Enters New Building pening services at the new south­ Owest location of the Seattle Ortho­ SEATTLE CONGREGATION IN ITS NEW MEETING-PLACE dox Presbyterian Church were held on 28th Avenue S. W. and S. W. Holden Street November 6. Later in the month a missionary meeting with the Rev. doctrinal views and with which we need for the witness of our church Francis Mahaffy and a Thanksgiving would feel at home," stated Mr. Lind­ is tremendous!" wrote Pastor Lind­ Day service helped to sound the note berg. "We found our answer in the berg. "Pray that God will use us in of rejoicing at this significant for­ Orthodox Presbyterian Church." In the ,~urtherance of the gospel in our ward step on the part of this small April 1964 the congregation, with its day. but enthusiastic congregation, accord­ pastor, was received by the West Coast Presbytery. ing to Pastor D. Robert Lindberg. TRY THE SPIRITS Dedicatory services were scheduled for The people kept showing interest in An examination of the modern December 11 with the Rev. Albert getting their own property by con­ spiritual gifts movement by Edwards of First Church, Portland, tributing to a building fund, and after D. Robert Lindberg Oregon as speaker. a long search, in the spring of 1966, Now available from the author @ 15¢ per copy or eight for $1. Formerly known as Puget Sound found what they wanted at their new 2320 41st Avenue S.W. Chapel, the church came into being as site. Extensive remodeling of the Seattle, Wash. 98116 a result of Bible classes held in vari­ former dwelling began under the su­ "Originally appearing in the Presby­ ous homes by Pastor Lindberg. Re­ pervision of Elder Delong; and almost terian Guardian last year, this much all of the necessary labor was volun­ sought after article is again in print. turning from Taiwan after a term of We commend it."-R.E.N. missionary service, the Lindbergs had teered. Meanwhile Pastor Lindberg has settled in Seattle. In 1959 a small continued to team in the Watson church was organized which met in Groen Christian School. the living room of the Lindberg home. Although there are only a dozen New Addresses In November 1962 they began meet­ families in the church, there are two Rev. Wallace Bell, 6292 Potomac ing in the YMCA building. elders: Mr. A. James Delong and Mr. St., San Diego, Calif. 92114 (cor­ As pastor and people became in­ Albert G. Bender. Paul Doepke, a rected street number). creasingly concerned about their in­ senior in Westminster Seminary, is a Rev. John Murray, Badbea, Bonar dependence from any church fellow­ member of the congregation. "The Bridge, Ardgay, Ross-shire, Scotland. ship or control, they looked about for challenge of the Northwest, and Rev. Donald H. Taws, 461 N.W. a church body .'which represented our Seattle in particular, is very great. The 39th St., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33309.

16 The Presbuterian Guardian