Tradition, Philosophy, and the Word
By C. M. S.
TRADITION within the church and philosophy without have been working for ages, and are still working, to destroy faith in the Word of God, or to nullify its teachings in their application to human lives. Tradition has put a hazy nimbus around the Word and its teachings, that has made the actual truth seem unreal; and it has done more. It has exalted itself above the very truth of God—above his literal commandments. Thus has been going on a disintegrating work from within, fostered by the enemy of truth, as all such works are fostered, undermining faith, and building up superstition in those within the fold. Philosophy has sought to accomplish the same end by turning men’s minds into the channels of speculation, so they would lose all desire for the pure food of divine truth. It has accomplished its object in the millions who have allowed themselves to be taken in its snare. But now a change has come. Philosophy has boldly stalked into the great fashionable church body; and though tradition may have lost some of its prestige before the onrush of liberalism, the cause in which tradition and philosophy joined forces has lost none of its dangerous power. It is merely a change in method, not in result; and that result is bound to be more manifest from now on because of the fact that both these agencies of opposition to the divine Word are now within the church. The apostle’s admonition to “take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit,” is strikingly applicable at the present time, when, from so many of the pulpits of the land, philosophy, politics, and atheism are expounded, while the great Book of truth is permitted to lie silent within clasped covers. The world to-day is as mad after philosophy as was the ancient world after its “great Diana,” and it seems as difficult for the Word to find attentive audience now as Paul found it among Diana’s worshipers. In this pulpit usurpation by philosophy lies9the great cause for the spreading infidelity in the church world of to-day as well as in the world outside the church. By occupying its position there, it reaps its results in both places, and in both cases the ruin of souls is the price that must be paid. In this time of storm and stress the only safety is in clinging to the Word, making that the “man of our counsel,” our guide, and our refuge. To those who do this, it will prove a shield from the fiery darts of the wicked one. In it is God’s saving truth. Outside of it and him there is nothing that can save,—nothing but confusion, darkness, and disappointed hopes.