Evolution and Pantheistic Theology

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 23, 1906

Evolution and Pantheistic Theology

The statement made in The Congregationalist, from which we quoted at some length a few weeks ago, of the changes in belief which have been made during the present generation, has called forth an earnest protest in the same paper, written by a clergyman of some influence. This writer clearly recognizes the true explanation of the wide departure from the fundamental truths of Christianity, and perceives the pantheistic tendency of the doctrine of God in everything. This is shown by the following quotation:—

During the past few years the current theology has been sadly warped by the attempt to twist it into harmony with the unproved hypotheses of evolution. Hence miracles and the supernatural now have little value. That attempt ought to be held in abeyance until a fresh supply of scientific certainties appears. . . . So much insistence is now placed upon the immanence of God [the doctrine of the all-pervading Presence] as to bring us dangerously near the border-land of pantheism, and to make it easy for “unwary and unstable souls” to espouse all sorts of pantheistic varieties, like mysticism, theosophy, Christian science, the new thought, and other kindred emotional cults.

The surrender to the claims of evolution and the acceptance of evolutionary ideas have resulted not merely in destroying confidence in the historic character of the first ten chapters of Genesis, but in overthrowing faith in the Bible as a whole, and in a very strong drift toward the pantheistic philosophy of the East. There is no compromise between evolution and revelation. Each excludes the other. Pantheism is no part of Christianity. The tendency toward pantheism is a tendency toward heathenism.

An eminent French professor and writer, Mr. Amant-Joseph Fabre, passes severe judgment on what he styles “the worldly policy of the court of Rome,” and openly denounces as “contrary to the spirit of the primitive church” “the long series of dogmas, definitions, practises, and institutions by which has been formed and consolidated, little by little, the mighty structure of the church’s theocratic government.” We are indebted to the Literary Digest for the translation of the following paragraph from Mr. Fabre’s recent work, “Christian Thought;”—

Imagine for a moment that one of the actual disciples of Jesus had returned to earth; one of those, I mean, who had heard Jesus preaching the worship of God in spirit and in truth, declaring that his kingdom was not of this world, and informing his apostles that they were to be the servants of all. Suppose this actual disciple of Christ were attending one of the grand festivals celebrated at Rome in honor of the sovereign pontiff. At the end of a long procession of dignitaries in lace and embroidery he would see the Grand Lama of the West carried on a throne of gold, a cape of cloth of gold upon his shoulders, a triple tiara of gold upon his head, and, leading and following his throne, a splendid cortege of mitered prelates and noble guards helmeted and armed. Silver trumpets pour their loud strains, and the prostrate multitude greets the pontiff with delirious acclamation. Would not the returned disciple of Palestine think that he saw an idol carried before a nation of idolaters? If any one were to say to him: “It is his holiness the supreme pontiff, vicegerent and vicar of God on earth; it is the infallible ruler, whose prerogative it is to govern men’s consciences with sovereign sway, and to dictate their faith to millions of believers,” would he not ask, “Who are these pagans of a novel kind, and how can they possibly recognize in this clerical caricature of Christianity the grand religion of Christ?”

It is not necessary that a disciple of Palestine should return to recognize the paganism which has been substituted for Christianity in the great apostasy predicted by the apostle Paul. A comparison of the teaching and practises of the Roman Catholic Church with the principles and practises advocated in the Scriptures and revealed in the life of our Saviour ought to make it clear to any candid investigator that the system which finds its headship in the supreme pontiff at Rome is only a counterfeit of Christianity which has no valid claim whatever to the name of a church. And this same spirit of paganism is asserting itself in the churches which are called Protestant, and which profess to be a living testimony against the false doctrines of “the mother of harlots.” How much the times demand the preaching of the original gospel of Christ in its purity and simplicity! This is the message which the Lord has for this generation.