WHAT IS THE APOSTASY? by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 49.

WHAT IS THE APOSTASY?

By M. C. W.

WITH the following extract from the Christian Cynosure, not long since, we have no fault to find. We do not agree with the writer, however, that the great apostasy which is threatening Christianity is lodge worship, although we have no defense for the lodge. There is truth in the extract which is worth heeding, and to which the Cynosure itself is blind. The writer says:—

“The Jews were always nominally worshipers of Jehovah. At their period of lowest declension they never formally renounced their allegiance; and by numerous passages in the prophets we learn that the temple service was kept up on a magnificent scale, even when secret false worships were degrading the morals and spiritually debauching the whole people. Christianity is in no danger of being superseded by any other religion. The principles of Buddhism may be taught as a fashionable “craze,” and infidel lecturers like Ingersoll may gain admirers and disciples; but the mass of the people will never become Buddhists or infidels. The peril is rather in the mixing of false religions with the true. A mixture of rites and doctrines borrowed from heathenism, and superadded to the true worship of God, made the great Roman Catholic apostasy; and Protestantism is on the way to an apostasy equally terrible.”

By “Christianity is in no danger of being superseded by any other religion,” the writer evidently means Christianity professedly. Of course when Christianity becomes so mixed with other religion as to lose its distinctive characteristics, it is no longer Christianity; it is a false religion. It may have a name to live, but it is dead. And this is truly the danger that threatens Christianity to-day; and the very journal from which the above is taken is, heel and wimple, helping it on to the danger. It may warn against some evils, but it is nourishing others still greater. In fact, all National Reformers denounce, as does the Cynosure, the coldness, weakness, and backsliding of the church. But how is it to be remedied?

The remedy proposed is religious legislation, or legislation in behalf of religion, acknowledging God nationally, accepting Christ as King, etc. But what is this but apostasy? The way of propagating true Christianity is to “preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15); to “persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11); to beseech men to be reconciled to God (verse 20); the Christian’s weapons are “not carnal” (2 Cor. 10:4), but spiritual (Eph. 6:13-17); he is not to dominate over men’s faith, but to be helpers of their joy (2 Cor. 1:24). Being reviled, Christians are to bless; being persecuted, they should suffer it; being defamed, they are to entreat. 1 Cor. 4:12, 13. This is a little of the Bible evidence as to how Christians should propagate Christianity, and comfort themselves when opposed.

But how do the National Reformers propose to do? They propose to be ministers, not of the gospel, but the law; to compel men with carnal weapons, not persuade them; not by such teaching as will help men into the faith, but to dominate their faith; being reviled, they would prosecute; being persecuted, they would retaliate; being defamed, they would count it worthy of imprisonment. This is National Reform government.

If this be not apostasy, we do not know what apostasy is. And yet the government would be Christian! Why not? has it not been voted so? National Reformers are ministers of Christ to dispense law! Why not? have they not been voted so? The pope of Rome is Christ’s vicar, self-constituted. May not National Reformers be the same in the same way?

But woe be unto this nation when it is blessed with such a dominant Christianity as that. And yet papers like the Cynosure, the Christian (?) Statesman, and the Christian (?) Nation, consider this fearful apostasy the highest type of Christianity. Even so Rome did in the Dark Ages. But Jesus has said, “Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Great and ambitious men have been deceived in the past; human nature is the same now.

Christ has promised all power to propagate his gospel in his way, the way of peace and mercy and love. He who turns from that way to the gospel of force denies Christ and degrades the divine to the level of the human. M. C. W.