The Portland daily press., 1883-03-28
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
Views of Rev. DR. Norman.

AT the meeting of the Boston Congregation
al Club held in that city Monday evening,
great interest was felt because Of the announce
ment that the debate would turn upon the new
movement in theology, with the opening paper
by the Rev. Dr. w. II. Merriman, formerly Of
State street church, whose installation over the
East Somerville church some months ago
caused some stir, because of the lherality OF
his views.
DR. Merrimsn declared that it was evident
that there is movement in theology, and the
question is. who have moyede and who are
moving? All of us, Compared with tho
synod Of bort, or the Westminster Confession.
or even with the orthodox views of 100 years
ago, the most conservative theologians OF to-
day are very heretioal. This Is nothing new
A progressive movement is one OF the normal
conditions of New England theology, and this
movement is the result and continuance OF for
mer movements. 1t has no great leaders, no
Schools no organization, and wants none. 1t
is not to be named another ISM it does not seek
to be parted from our oreeds or fellowship, and
doesnot propose to make Q party The indica-
tionssof 1t are found in the preaching OF men
whose evangelical soundness has not
been doubted, In theological literature,
in ecclesiastical action, and in The
course Of large and representative councils
in installing ministers who reject some
doctrines hitherto hold. A qualified subscrip-
ton to creeds has become practical necessity.
The men who are in this movement are men of
average learning, ability and character They
are not Adullamites; there is not among them
malcontent or speculative reformer or pro-
fessional agtator They are working men
whose thoughts have been influenced by their
work. Is theology finished science2 Who
finished it? There is progress in every depart
ment OF science. Is theology stationary #
So II must be dead. Bat this is not SO: Ii cam
not be. III there is any science which will
never DO finished, which is always to be- I'M
folded, and which will always have new les
sons, II is Theology, There has been progress
ever since Christ, except In the drowsy ages
and there is urgent need of further truth. This
need 1t Is which impeis us toward d better
theological position. But is the movement
progress? We think So We admit the risk of
ana bewildering some minds and
of taking some steps which may need TO be re-
traced, but the movement is in tho plane of
evangelical truth, andis impelled by evaneeli-
cal motives. The special subjects 10 which |
this movement relates ara the Scriptures, the |
atonement and the future life lThere are some
ministers who accept the Scriptures as the D- |
vine revelation and the guide OF conduct who |
reject as untenable the theories hitherto en-
tertained regarding them. There are some who |
fully believe in the incarnation in the SUI |
preme humanity and divinity of Christ, and /
who trust in Him as Saviour, but who reject |
received orthodox theories as an |
offence both 70 reason and 10 faith. There are |
some who fully believe in immortality, in the |
Judgment, and in eternal life for the righteous /
and eternal punishment for the wicked, but |
definitions of eternal punishment, and will not |
impose them as conditions of membership or Il
Of ministerial service. They refuse TO limit, 60 |
the present life, all the grace OF God to all |
souls, and think II Scriptural % believe thar as
Christ died for all, He win be made known to |
all. The movement is spoken OF as q new de-
parture, but it might be better called new re- I
turn, taking its name rather from what 1t aims |
at thanfrom what it leaves. IL Is q new re- /
turn to the Scriptures; new return to faith: |
return 10 a better method; return 10 Christ 1
As the centre Of everything: return to a more
spiritual conception Of Christianity and to the l
OF Christianity as absolute Cal
vinism made DEGREES the centre of its system; /
American Calvinism takes the covenants as its
sentral idea, and another mobilization takes
he law as its centre. bEt Christ is the end OF I
he law. and as the Law is schooimaster 70 /
bring believers TO Christ, it ought to bring i
heologians TO Hin. Theology has been Ptole- /
naic, it is coming TO be Copernican with Christ 1
IS its centre. Everything in MANS wretched /
history was predetermined with reference 10
Christianity, and wDen we understand The Il
snds of Christianity we stall get its scope aud
hall have materials for an adequate theodicy.