The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, February 24, 1909, Page 9, Image 11
February 24. 1909. THE PRESBYTER]
M. N'orlli. I.L.I).. finished thi- tenth year of his pastorate.
Hie services consisted <>f a coiunu-nioralive sermon
111 tin* im ?rtiiiu.- m-l ??? 1 > 1 1 .# .1. .1
... ...^ ........ mm lit I IM."IMIK|U MVl'UII 111 I lie I'VCIling
by the pastor, with special mitsie by the choir.
Three of the hymns were written for the occasion.
Kev. Joseph 15. North came to this pastorate in tS?^>
front < iarden Memorial Church. Anacostia. 1). C\. and
before that had been the pastor of the church in Kingfisher.
< iklahoma. lie has twice been clcctd Moderator
of the Presbytery of New Castle. and i< recognized
uEftr J.,
^w. ' ?K. - 'JjV^j^^2S|^f330G9
Manse of the Makemie Presbyterian Church.
as an authority on eccU siastical law. ilis pastorate
here, where he is greatly beloved, is the longest of
any in the last one hundred yeafs..
On tite 27th of January his parishioners ;srave him a
pleasant surprise, and presented hint with a purse well
tilled with gold.
THE NEW THEOLOGY.
By Rev. H. W. Burwell.
The
uore we read from the nnhli-dii-J nttormwoi
tl) >0 who speak with authority upon thi> subject, the
more we have confusion the worse counfoundcd. That
which one will declare to be fundamental will be either
trimmed beyond recognition, or emphatically denied by
another. The principles which it is sought to establish
have never been crystallized into anything that could
be dignified with the title of "a system." and the very
best that now can be said about it is that it is a movement.
or propaganda, having for its purpose the replacement
of the time-honored truths of Christianity by
the so-called "assured results" of the destructive criticism.
a conglomeration of contlicting theories and notions
which, whatever it is or mav become, is not and
can never be truthfully called Christian. Its advocates
IiaiK a great deal and write more. They bring to their
help the most beautiful and high-sounding phrases.
But though thev mav garnish their pathway with the
most choice specimens of linguistic tlora in an attempt
to cover its emptiness, the flowers wither and their
perfume degenerates into a sickening, deadly stench
:an of the south. <>
whenever the anxious, yearning soul has cried out tor
God and His saving truth. The real character of this
new theology can he better understood when we study
its teaching upon those truths which have alwax s been
fundamental to our Christian belief.
Its Teaching Concerning God.
A few years ago 1 )r. Lyman Abbott, speaking before
one of our great universities, defined God as "a force."
Dr. R. i. Campbell, the self-annointed hiirh nriest of thn
Now Theology, declares. "The New Theology, in common
with the whole scientific world, believes that the
finite universe is one aspect or expression of God. but
it thinks of it or hint as consciousness rather than a
blind force, thereby differing from some scientists."
I >r. C ampbell is more than welcome to tile credit due
for any modicum of truth or logical consistence to be
found in that sentence. Starting with the sweeping
declaration that the Xew Theology believes in common
with the whole scientific world, he closes with
the acknowledgment that they differ from some scientists.
I suppose that this latter class are not included
in Dr. Campbell's scientific world.
lint far more serious is the fact that for this new
teacher of men. God is either "it or him."?not exactlv
a blind force, but at best only consciousness. And yet
he professes to believe in the Trinity. What kind of
a Trinity? lie first assumes an infinite space filled
with matter, then proceeds to divide it up. Through
this division he secures the finite which is the second
form or part of his trinity. His third division is derived
from llaeckel's explanation of the Cosmic process
by taking it for granted that the "infinite is pressing in
and up through the finite.'' Thus for the answer.
"There are three persons in the tlodhead. the Father,
the Son and the Molv t iho>t." we are asked to substitute.
"There are three terms, modes, or phases in the
it or him, the infinite, the finite and tli? activities of
the former in and up through the latter." Starting
with the assumption that the universe is (iod's thought
concerning himself, lie declares. "As far as I am able
to think it along with llini. 1 ami my leather (even
metaphysically speaking i. are one."
This, then, is the God whom, "in common with the
whole scientific world." they would have n> worship
as a worthy substitute for the one living and true Deity
who has uncovered, for the illumination and betterment
of mankind, the glory of his grace, the wonders
of his love and the bounty of his providence! l;or
the triune, personal, saving God they would give us an
empty "it or him" who. at best, is nothing more than
c< msciottsness.
\\ itli what lofty gusto do they proclaim this as scientific!
It may be science, but only such as that which
Mrs. Mary 11. G. Kddy endorses in her question. "Is
God a person?" Glibly answering. "No, God is not a
person; God is a principle."
On one occasion Dr. A. I*. Dixon was invited to
speak at a convention of this persuasion. Among the
speakers was a lawyer who also figured as an up-todate
theologian. During his discourse lie made this
statement: "I worship the everlasting it." Dr. Dixon
took as his subject. "The Simplicitv of the Gospel."
and sounded this note of warning, "brethren, if many