The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-10
Religion without Dogma.

Men who want to be " liberal" in this
liberal age" are sometimes in danger Of
hberaGzing away the whole essence Of
the gospel. DIR. Joseph Parker, of the
Getty Temple" church, London, is one Of
these. He is so pleased with the recent
charge of the archbishop of Canterbury
to his clergy that he writes letter to the
London Times about it. He admits " the
boldness of the proposal" he makes, ex.
presses his Every deep dissatisfaction"
with certain addresses from ecclesias.
teal chairs" gives it as his impression"
that there are thousands of Christians
in England who have no connection with
the sects, and who are not aware of their
own Christianity" and then goes into the
matter in this fashion:
F." Is it not possible to find point at
which all reverent thinkers will unite in
cordial fellowship? In my opinion it is
quite possible, and if possible it must be
infinitely desirable. Whoever adopts
and practices the principle of self-sacrifce
for the good of others is, in my view,
living Christian, whatever he may think
of any point in so-called dogmatic theol-
ogy. =. I make the broadcast possible
distinction between Christianity and the
ology, and my proposal is to operate upon
that distinction by encouraging the for
nation of an inclusive alliance, whose one
principle of union shall be that of self
sacrifice for the good of others, is the true
law of life. | dc not propose to in
terfere with anything that is legitimate
in denominationalism. But my in
quiry is whether there is not below and
above all UNCONVENTIONAL formations
principle which can unite and inspire
men of the most diverse theological con-
victions, and whether that principle ought
not to be primarily recognized so as to set
all differences in their Just relationship
and perspective? l cannot but believe
that there is nobler word than Pan.
Anglican, Pan-Presbyterian, or Pan
Methodism, and that noble word is Pan
Christian. The Trinitarian and the Uni
tartan are both Christians; SO are the
Calvinist and the Arminian; but when
do they ever meet on the broad ground
of Christianity and make a common dec
laration that their religion is deeper than
their theology? leave my proposal of
an inclusive alliance or association to
make It's own impression on your readers"
This all reads very smoothly, and no
doubt some of our advanced and "rev-
erent thinkers" think it an embodiment
of wisdom. But let us prick it Just a
little. "The principle of selfsacrifce
for the good of others, whose adoption
and practice make ga living Christian,
in DR.. Parker's view will not stand the
gospel test Of what constitutes "a living
Christian especially when combined
with total indifference as to whatever
ne may think of any point of dogmatic
theology. Deists and atheists often ioin
with Christians in an inclusive alliance"
to push forward some good cause, even to
the point of self-sacrifce for the good Of
others, as, for example, temperance, put
ting down oppression or the slave-trade,
securing liberty to enslaved nations, and a
hundred other causes Of philanthropy,
and yet these deists and atheists remain
so still, and often they are filed with the
bitterest hatred to Christ and Christian
ity. Then, again, whatever be may
think about dogmatic theology" may af-
feet a mans standing as living Chris
tian." 1t is true principle that "as a
man thinketh in his heart so is he" Dr..
Parker is not alone in his Indifference to
d" dogma" 1t is the bugbear and scare.
crow of multitudes. But what is dogma
A settled opinion; principle, maxim,
or tenet" There can be no science, pol,
itics, art, Christianity, or anything else,
without dogmas. Those Of Christianity
are simply its facts, principles doctrines
and an indifference to these is an indiffer-
ence to the truth. Certain of these are
to be believed or there cannot be ga liv.
ing Christian, for godly Christian life
is made to depend on belief and practice
of them. This is the gospels teaching
everywhere. These Christian dogma
are of God, and those which are essential
to salvation are remarkably clear. But
DR.. Parker would ignore them in bis
Pan-Christian alliance" and admit
"men of the most diverse theological
convictions" Truth, then, with him,
must be a matter of comparative or total
indifference. With Trinitarianism and
Unitarianism put into the same scale we
see not why all the doctrines Of the gos'
pei, from the atonement down, may not
be set aside as wholly unessential to 20
living Christian. "-Tnterior.
Cod royar Joofrorys o,v,y,o,-e All Lo enps