p. 336 | Old Theology

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 26, 1883

Old Theology.

THERE is much talk of late about the "new theology" which is largely prevailing, especially in the Congregational Church. We believe that it is a wide departure from the truth of the Bible on some vital points. But it is a revulsion from the old Calvinistic system, which is too strong for the minds of "young America." Very few in these days are believers in strict Calvinism, though not many strictly Calvinistic churches have changed their creeds on the subject. In a late number of the S. F. Post we find the following:—

"According to the Chicago Advance (Congregational), a student has just been graduated at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in that city who keeps a firm grip on the old faith. It says that on his recent examination before a Congregational council for ordination, he declared it his fixed belief that 'the whole race of mankind was actually guilty of Adam's sin—that little children, even before they come to the knowledge of right and wrong, are unholy, sinful, and morally unclean, and that there is no warrant in the Scriptures for believing that such children can be saved.' He further declared his unqualified belief in the doctrine of election and in the eternal damnation of all heathen. 'He had learned all this,' says the Advance, 'of Dr. Shedd in Union Theological Seminary (Presbyterian, New York), and, we are sorry to say, had not unlearned it during a year's course in our Theological Seminary here in Chicago.' Some of the council hesitated to vote for his ordination on account of his professing faith in such monstrous doctrines; and the Advance declares it had no idea that there could be found, in 1883, one young man in the denomination who 'still clung to such middle-age armor.'"

If the creeds had been revised when the agitation began, the departure might not have been so great. But about the last thing to be touched in a modern church is its creed. We do not believe in vacillation in religion, but we do believe in growth in knowledge, and in the acceptance of truth when it becomes known. To defend extreme Calvinism is an unpleasant task; and when students are compelled by their church authorities to give assent to it, we are not surprised that many, in their revolt, go to the opposite extreme.