Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1912

Note and Comment

By Editor

The True Basis of Christian Unity

The Examiner for July 25, 1912, believes that it has found the true solution of the complex problem of Christian unity. It suggests this:—

If it shall ever materialize, let all "man-made" creeds and confessions and preconceptions and claims of superiority be laid aside, and, all standing on a common level before God, let the New Testament be adopted as the sole determining authority in all matters of faith and practise. Then interpret it, not in the light of subsequent history, which is misleading because it soon began to misinterpret it most grievously, but in its own light, as the inspired record of Christ's teachings, with the comments and further communications of inspired writers.

This is a splendid suggestion; and if all would abide by the plain teachings of the Word, there would not be at the present time a thousand and one denominations, but one true united church. We can not, however, fully share the sanguine

feelings of the Examiner when it says,—

"We do not fear the result of such an inquiry, conducted by honest and prayerful men, so far as the fundamental doctrines of the faith and the meaning and mode of the initiatory ordinance of the church are concerned."

We fear in the first place that it would be next to impossible for the religionists of the present day to lay aside their preconceived opinions and prejudices, and come to the study of the Word with unbiased minds. Some there are who could do this, but not the majority. Indeed, it would be a question with many churchmen as to whether they could accept the Scriptures of truth as the standard of Christian morality and doctrine.

The dream of so-called Christian unity will sometime be realized, even in this world, but it will not be such unity as the Scriptures advocate. The prophecy of the Word indicates the union of the great professed churches for the purpose of enforcing their dogmas and doctrines, but against such a federation the Scriptures of truth plainly warn.

True Christian unity comes not by the submission of the weaker to the stronger, nor yet by the submission of the minority to the majority. It can never be ushered in by resolution, federation, or legal enactment. It can come into the church only as every disciple submits to Christ, and unites with him. The union of all believers in Christ Jesus, will constitute them a united church. They will be one with each other, because all are one with Christ. For this union our Lord prays in John 17.