What Has Been Accomplished
A WRITER who has evidently given some careful thought to the question has prepared the following summary statement of the results of the “New Theology” in contrast with old-fashioned Christianity:— A pantheistic god, instead of a personal God. A human savior, instead of a divine Saviour. Infallible scholarship, instead of an infallible Bible. “Modern thought,” instead of a “Thus saith the Lord.” A development of religious ideas from the human mind, instead of a revelation from God. The natural in all things, the supernatural in nothing. Reformation, instead of regeneration. Culture, instead of conversion. A change of environment, instead of a change of heart. The energy of the flesh, instead of prayer and faith. Interest in the secular, instead of zeal for religion. Nobody afraid of hell, and nobody caring much about heaven. Everybody coming out right anyhow, and nobody on the wrong track except those who cling to the faith once delivered to the saints. Those who are acquainted with the situation as it exists in the religious world to-day, and have not been infatuated with these satanic sophistries, know that this summary is altogether too true. There is no compromise between these two systems of teaching. They can not stand together. The one which holds its ground must overthrow the other. For twenty years the struggle has been going on in the so-called orthodox churches, but now the “New Theology” claims to be orthodox, and is ruthlessly demolishing “the foundations of many generations.” Those who have been called out under this message are to refuse these perversions of the truth of the gospel, whether advocated without or within this denomination. “Words of power have been sent by God and by Christ to this people, bringing them out from the world, point by point, into the clear light of present truth. With lips touched with holy fire, God’s servants have proclaimed the message. The divine utterance has set its seal to the genuineness of the truth proclaimed. . . . Let not erroneous theories receive countenance from the people who ought to be standing firmly on the platform of eternal truth. God calls upon us to hold firmly to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority.” Those who believe in an inspired and infallible Bible, and have been kept on the straight line of truth by the warnings and instruction coming through the spirit of prophecy, have a testimony to bear to the world which will reveal a personal God and a divine Saviour, which will teach the necessity of a thorough conversion, which will not discount prayer and faith, and which will emphasize the fact that there is a hell to shun and a heaven to win. This is the testimony of the third angel’s message.