Christianity a Mighty Bulwark of Omnipotence
By D. T. BOURDEAU
To a mind harassed with doubt, the strength of Christianity is discernible through candidly and prayerfully considering the plain evidences of the Christian religion, rather than through frequent and long-continued attempts to solve its mysteries. The evidences of Christianity are seen in the purity and ennobling power of its doctrines, in the fulfilment of its prophecies, in its miracles, and in what it does for those who receive it with childlike faith. Many stumble and give way to unbelief and infidelity when they see the inconsistencies of some who profess Christianity, and, disgusted at their course, they say, “There is nothing to the religion of Jesus Christ.” But this is a rash and illogical conclusion. Better and more consistent would it be to consider what Christianity does for those who exemplify it in their lives. Would it be fair to take Judas as a representative of the Christian religion? It would be but a part of the same logic that judges of Christianity by the inconsistencies of the lives of many who profess it, and yet disgrace it by their lives. The strongest evidence we have in favor of Christianity is that which is seen in the purity and elevating character of its doctrines, and in its power to transform the thoughts, dispositions, and character of a sinner, so that they will answer to those of Jesus Christ, our perfect model. This is a creation (Eph. 2:10), a work that could not be produced by the philosophical and religious theories of ancient writers, and which no man has ever been able to produce. Yet it is performed through genuine Christianity. And, thank God, it is multiple, being wrought for many even in our day. And those for whom it is wrought have the illuminating influences of that Spirit which guides into the truth. They may be naturally skeptical, as many honest souls and deep thinkers are; but, by persevering prayer and reliance on Christ, skepticism, with them, may be replaced by strong faith, so that their weakest point may become their strongest. This has been the experience of many honest souls who have suffered enough to die several times under the dense clouds of skepticism and infidelity; and what has already been experienced by many of this cast of mind, may be experienced by others of the same cast of mind; and God may use them to help others who need to be helped by those who have passed through the same fiery ordeal that they are passing through, and have come off conquerors over doubt and infidelity. The writer once knew a man whom God designed to use as an effectual messenger of the cross of Christ, but who suffered extremely through skepticism. The point on which he was sorely tried was the divine origin of the Scriptures. He did not yield to doubt, but suffered as words can not tell. With him everything seemed to be at stake. If the Bible was not of divine origin, there was no plan of salvation, and his hope was confined to this life. He opened his mind to a devoted Christian lady who was at the head of a mission. She got an able man to talk on infidelity before the tried soul, then asked the man especially concerned how he now viewed the subject. He replied, “The victory is gained; but it is not due to the effort of the pompous, self-conceited young man whom you secured to deliver this discourse, but to the virtue I found in wrestling for victory in secret places.” If any reader of these lines is troubled through a skeptical turn of mind as to the genuineness of Christianity, let him try this remedy. There is nothing that helps on this point like communion with God and intimacy with Christ, the Great Teacher, that is of such a character that one feels as if he were in the very presence of the Saviour. This intimacy with Jesus through his truth and Spirit as the result of earnest, importunate prayer, is a sure antidote against doubt and infidelity. He who experiences it unconsciously forgets his doubts, and acquires implicit faith in the divinity of the Bible and in the genuineness of Christianity. What a bulwark of Omnipotence, of infinite wisdom and love, is Christianity! It is that subject which, above all others, will, through endless ages, engross the minds of the redeemed and of unfallen angels, and be to the universe an eternal safeguard against doubt and infidelity, and against the repetition of another fall with its sad consequences. May we contemplate genuine Christianity, digging for truth as for hidden treasures, enjoying the acquisitions of new truths brought out of the inexhaustible mine of truth, and pouring out gratitude and adoration to Christ, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” in this mortal state, that it may be ours to enjoy this delightsome occupation during the endless ages of a blissful eternity.