p. 14 | A Menace and a Peril to the Church

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 28, 1910

A Menace and a Peril to the Church

THIS is the way Rev. Dr. Haldeman, of New York, characterizes the modern theological seminary, according to the Missionary Review. In a recent sermon he charges that some of these institutions are hotbeds of infidelity:—

To-day men are being ordained into the sacred ministry from our Jericho theological seminaries who teach not individual but social salvation; who cry “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace; who talk about the conversion of the world when that idea is not found in Scripture; who regard the Bible as a book of myths and fables and full of divine foolishness, which it takes their wisdom to unravel, forgetting that God hath made foolish the wisdom of this world, as it is written, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

Protests against so-called “Bibliolatry” are sounding from these institutions of modern-day learning, that while the religion of Christ may be more elevating, yet it is on the same plane with the teachings of Confucius or Mohammed, and is no more inspired than any of the others. Such institutions were better razed to the ground. No wonder such a ministry is fruitless and of no effect in the salvation of men. Unless we arise and contend earnestly for the faith as it was delivered to the saints, in twenty-five years the Bible will be utterly repudiated, as, indeed, it is by many who have departed from the faith. The time has come when men will not endure sound doctrine, but having itching ears, have heaped unto themselves teachers, and have turned away their ears from the truth unto fables.

That such subversive teaching is quite characteristic of many of the higher institutions of learning we have seen abundant evidence of late. The time has indeed come when those who fear God and revere his Word should resolutely stand against this great tide which is sweeping in upon the church. “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.”