p. 8 | DEMANDING OBEDIENCE by C. M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 24.

DEMANDING OBEDIENCE.

By C. M. S.

PROFESSOR MIVART’S excommunication by the Catholic Church has brought out a communication from the pope, which is of interest as showing what is considered essential in the orthodox Catholic. Cardinal Vaughan and the English bishops issued a joint letter to their flocks, warning them against the teachings of Professor Mivart. This called out a letter from the Pope approving the action of the bishops, and stating the position of the Catholic Church in regard to freedom of mind and conscience. We give the following excerpt from the pope’s letter of approval:—

“You have done most wisely in issuing a solemn warning against the subtle and insidious spread of rationalism, than which no poison is more fatal to divine faith. In like manner, nothing is more in accordance with right doctrine than what you have laid down as to the obedience due to Episcopal authority; for subjection and obedience due to that authority are in no sense optional, but plainly a duty, and a main foundation on which the church of God is built. We therefore most heartily give you our praise and approbation for these things.”

In reference to Professor Mivart’s teachings, we have nothing at this time to say, as we have not seen an authentic statement of his position; but in the quotation given above there is food for thought, since such a statement, coming from such a source, is regarded as Gospel truth by such a large number of people. The protection which it sets up for the church against what it terms rationalism, is “subjection and obedience” to human spiritual masters; an obedience which is due only to God; an obedience which only the Creator has a right to claim. Concerning this letter of the pope, the New York Independent of May 9 says:—

“This is the true Papal doctrine. No sound Catholic can venture to deny it. The bishops are lords of the opinions of the people. The laymen have no right to an opinion, except as it is taken from, or approved by, the bishops. They are the only people who have a right to think; and they can think only along the lines dictated in turn to them by the powers above them. And the powers above them—councils composed of bishops, and popes who are bishops—can only think as it has been thought semper, ubique, ab omnibus; always, everywhere, by everybody. This is a sad, a most lamentable condition. It explains the decadence of the Catholic countries.”

It is indeed a lamentable condition; lamentable because so many millions of people are submitting to a rulership which men have no right to exercise over their fellow-men. Even the Lord Himself does not prohibit men the liberty to think. He tells them faithfully what will be the consequence of foolish thinking, of vain philosophy, and then gives them the power of choice, holding them responsible for the choice which they make. But here is a power which is demanding of men what even their Creator does not ask; that is, that they shall think only in prescribed channels; that the mind and the conscience of individuals shall be in subjection to rules laid down by the church. This is not in accordance with the liberty which Christ came into the world to give to men. They whom the Son makes free are “free indeed,” and “One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23:8. God did not set masters in the church. He did not make one portion of His people subjects of another class; and that power which makes such demands upon men is not only putting itself in the place of God, but is going beyond anything that God ever required of men. That is the power which Paul refers to as exalting itself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thess. 2:3, 4. It is a dangerous position for the power that is making such a demand; it is equally dangerous for the person submitting to such lordship in matters spiritual; for he who claims what belongs to God will certainly be overthrown; and he who gives to another power the obedience and homage due to God, has broken the command of God which says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” The Lord has not delegated to any power in earth or heaven the obedience due to Him; and to the obedient child of God there is a richer liberty than the servants of men can ever hope to see.

C. M. S.