The Theology Born of Modern Science

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

The Theology Born of Modern Science

The men of this generation have “refused to have God in their knowledge,” and have devised a god in harmony with their own conceptions. They have accepted the hypotheses and conclusions of an infidel science in the place of the divine revelation, and have judged themselves wise enough to condemn the wisdom of God as manifested in the plan of salvation. They have become vain in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts have become darkened. As an illustration of the truthfulness of these startling declarations, we quote the following statement of the creed of “the theology born of modern science:” —

A god who is the life and soul of the universe — over all, through all, and in all. A world and a universe always existing, and forever expressing the will and purpose of the interpenetrating divine mind. A creator or purposer, whose plans have never been thwarted, and whose creatures have never successfully defied him, and whose will is being to-day, and in all time, superbly accomplished in the lifting of man to higher and higher spheres of thought and love. A salvation, not for the few, nor by arbitrary decree, nor by the blood of a sacrificed God, but the salvation of all who, by their own wills, co-operate with the infinitely good, beautiful, and true,—a salvation that is never complete, but always progressing. Jesus manifesting the purposiveness which has been expressed in all time and in all nature for righteousness,—a magnificent leader and atoner, bringing man face to face with the Father. A finality that consists not in heavens and hells, but in eternal progress, lighted up by the sun of eternal hope.

Such scientific theology as this can be maintained only by discarding the Biblical revelation, shutting our eyes to actual conditions about us, and substituting fancies for facts. It presents a god who is responsible by the direct action of his will for all the evil which now curses the world; it requires us to believe, in the face of the terrible facts which confront us, that man is being lifted to “higher and higher spheres of thought and love;” it demands assent to the whole scheme of evolution as the method of creating and upholding the universe; it teaches pantheism by making God and nature coexistent and inseparable; and under the figment of an impersonal god it really exalts man as his own savior, and advocates the divinity of humanity. Away with it!