Testing What Is Christian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1909

Testing What Is Christian

CHRISTIANITY as distinguished from other so-called religions is the system of doctrines and precepts inculcated by Christ. The interpretation and application of these doctrines and precepts to the experience of the life are made known in the life of Christ. Any system or movement claiming to be Christian may properly be tested by comparing its doctrines and precepts with the doctrines and precepts of Christ. In doing this, we are to take the teaching of Christ in its primary and obvious meaning, without juggling with his language, or giving a spiritualistic or mystical meaning to terms or expressions whose repeated use in the Scriptures defines their meaning. In view of the work of the higher critics, and the fanciful and mystical interpretations of words and phrases familiar to Christian ears, it is now necessary to know in what sense such terms as God, Christ, angels, faith, salvation, etc., are employed by those who stand forth as religious teachers and leaders. The advocates of liberalism have appropriated such language of Scripture as suits their purpose to be the channel for their new philosophy, and we are therefore compelled to look beneath the verbal forms of a system or the phenomena of a movement in order to determine whether it may be justly designated as Christian. It is important that we remember this.