The “Christian Nation” Claim Denied

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 20, 1906

The “Christian Nation” Claim Denied

THERE is a certain class of reformers who are constantly repeating the dictum of the Supreme Court that “this is a Christian nation,” and who are demanding the enactment of laws which shall enforce some of their ideas concerning Christianity. In marked contrast with this view, and much more in harmony with the facts in the case, is the assertion of Dr. Philip S. Moxom, that, when tried by the proper test, “the attitude which a nation assumes toward other nations, and the kind of social order which it maintains within itself,” the so-called Christian civilization, is, in many respects, decidedly unchristian. “The dominating forces in it,” he declares, “are individualism, self-assertion, injustice, selfishness, pride, and greed for riches. . . . Almost invariably rights take precedence over duties, and self-interest abridges or obstructs exact justice.” A quotation from Dr. Moxom’s article in The North American Review will make his position clear. He says:—

Conceivably, one may contend that our present social life is the result of a long evolution, and is economically wise and beneficent; but one can not truthfully call it Christian. Now, if Shintoist and Buddhist Japan can produce a higher, saner, more just, more self-controlled, more unselfish individual and social life than Christian England or America, by that fact Christianity, as these peoples have interpreted and exemplified it, is proved inferior to Shintoism and Buddhism. But what really suffers by the comparison is not the Christianity of Jesus, but the Christianity of the church, the Christianity which we have made. In other words, Christianity can maintain its pre-eminence only by the vital and effective incorporation of the spirit and teaching of Jesus in individual and social life and character. Nothing can invalidate this proposition. The trial which the Christian nations are facing to-day is obvious and inescapable. Let us, at least, be honest with ourselves. If we will not practise what Jesus taught, let us cease to call ourselves Christian.

Dr. Moxom further declares that the missionary work of the church “is imperiled, or seriously hindered from achieving the largest results,” by two causes, one of which is “the inconsistency of our life with the Christian faith and principles which we inculcate.” And he tells some very plain, even if it be unpalpable, truth in these words:—

But the question is up and will not down: Are we genuinely Christian? The question is, first of all, one for the individual man and woman. It is, second, one for society. If individuals are persistently Christian, they will make society Christian. Where is the difficulty? We have not taken Jesus frankly at his own word and on his own terms. With perfect propriety, with absolute justice, he might say to us, as he said to some professed disciples in his time, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?” We read these words in the New Testament, but, with curious fatuity, we never suspect that they are addressed to us. It may be that the church and the Christendom which is identified with the church, are to hear the doomful words which were spoken to the ancient “elect” people of God: “The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”

This description of the present condition of things is exactly in accord with the prophecies concerning the last days. The form of godliness is present, but the power of it is lacking. Those who are willing to weigh evidence calmly must come to the same conclusion which has been reached by Dr. Moxom. And the remedy will not be found in seeking to enforce religious observances by law, but in proclaiming the gospel message for this generation “in the power of the Spirit.” Only in the light of the third angel’s message can the present situation be understood and explained; only by the third angel’s message can the demands of the present situation be met.