p. 3 | Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1908

Editorial

By Editor

To seek for place or position either within the church or without the church is a violation of the spirit of the gospel. That humility which leads one to esteem others better than himself is the essential element of Christian experience, the evidence of genuine conversion. To his disciples “who had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest,” Jesus said: “If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” The demand for position in the church is the clearest evidence of unfitness for position. “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.” “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who . . . emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” In the spirit of meekness is found the expression of the experience of righteousness by faith.

THERE is a wide difference between religion and theology. Religion is a divine science—the science of salvation—but theology is a human science. True religion is primarily a matter of the heart, while theology may be largely a matter of the head. Theology is the classified knowledge pertaining to the revelation which God has made of himself and of the plan of salvation, but religion is the experience of that revelation as a life. Theology is found in books, but religion is found in bodies. Theology may be useful, but religion is absolutely essential to entrance into the kingdom of God. “Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God.” Comparatively few can grasp the definitions, the distinctions, and the discussions of modern theology; but religion is within the reach of all. “He that will, let him take the water of life freely.” It is a sad mistake to attempt to substitute theology for religion.