A Noteworthy Convention
By L. A. S.
IN Germany, the home of the “higher criticism,” so much has been said by and about the advocates of the “advanced theology” based on such criticism, that one might suppose that the theology of the former days had been quite obliterated in that section of Christendom, and that a modern Elijah in that country would be justified in exclaiming, “I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord.” But it appears that there are still left in that home of apostasy from the old-time faith, “seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” The evidence of this was furnished by a recent convention in Berlin of the adherents of the former views, which met in response to a call for a showing of those who stood loyal to the old doctrines. An appeal was sent out based upon the conviction “that without the faith in the divine truth of the Holy Scriptures and in His atoning death and in the resurrection of the living Son of God, the church can not exist or live or do its work;” and that “the utterly subversive character of modern theology recognizes neither revelation nor the Holy Scriptures, and accordingly can be accepted neither as Christian nor as churchly.” The response to the call, it is stated, “afforded a surprise to both friend and foe,” since “not even the new Dom in Berlin was large enough to hold the assembly, which had gathered literally from all the corners of the empire.” It is stated that “the convention enthusiastically took a stand against the whole radical theological trend of the times,” going on record in the matter in a series of resolutions, the pith of which is given in the following:— 1. This convention, in harmony with the historical confessions of the church, takes its stand on the foundation of the divine revelation in the Holy Scriptures, and accepts as the essential of its faith the divinity of Christ, as the Lord who has been crucified and who has arisen for mankind. 2. With sorrow we note the fact that both at the universities and in the pulpits destructive errors are permitted to be taught, which are a serious menace to the life of the congregation. In late months this condition has simply become intolerable. 3. We repeat the demand made already in 1895, and addressed to the authorities of the state and of the church, to the effect that in the appointment of theological professors not only the literary attainments, but also the confessional faithfulness of the candidate should be a decisive factor. 4. We further demand that if a pastor of any church teaches contrary to the confession of the congregation, disciplinary measures should be resorted to at once. This is encouraging evidence that the higher criticism is not having everything6its own way even where it has found the most favorable soil for its development. In every stronghold of unbelief the Spirit of the Lord will still lift up a standard against the enemy until the mystery of God on earth shall be finished.