Old Truth and Modern Isms by C. E. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 1, 1910

Old Truth and Modern Isms

By C. E. H.

MANY are being carried away with the glitter of so-called new theological truths. Others are drifting into the vortex of skepticism and unbelief. Yet in spite of the multitude of isms presented to men to lure them away from the simple faith of God's Word, there are those who still cling to the old way. George L. Clark, writing in the Harvard Seminary Record of April, speaks emphatically against some of the doctrines taught to-day:—

They who are drifting out upon the barren sands of pantheism have no relish for a religion of historic events. Dreamers may enjoy reveling in abstractions, but the rank and file of the Christian church will continue to believe, with the greatest thinkers of the past, that the human soul, burdened by sin, perplexed, filled with remorse, needs something more than a formula for a pantheistic idealism, or a Saviour who rises but little above a respectable commonplace. The periods of greatest spiritual power in the past have been times when men were too serious, too much in earnest, for spiritual gymnastics. We need a brotherly Saviour; we must have a divine, an Almighty Saviour. The world is not to be converted by men who are in doubt about the Christ who is described as clothed with all power in heaven and earth.

So long as we are sinners, so long shall we need a Saviour. Only through the Word is the Saviour made known to us. No call should ever be made for other ways of salvation. It is impossible in this world to exhaust the remedy already given us. C. E. H.