The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-24
UnbeIief Among Theological stu
lenfS

new DullulUS OI luG pSlCliobaS
been without an inscription. \ shameless
Jew has proposed that this Inscription should !
be chosen, Dec Ignoto. These woSs cnarsc-
ieriZe the situation in Germany. Hou Is oe
coming more and more an unknown Gou.
Just sorrow for this has turned the eyes OF
men especially to the theological facultles
and the conclusion has been reacned py many
that the system Of negative theology now
reigning IS altogether pernicious. Many Oh
the theological students who are Influenced
by Il no longer believe in The triune God, IN
the true Diety Of Jesus Christ, In His having
been born of a Virgin, in the Word Of God
contained in Holy Scripture, In the efhcacy |
OF the SacramentS in miracles, In the doc-
trine OF Justification as taught by Paul. IN
young men become wholly lost IN the mazes !
OF criticism, and return home saying that
they have no longer faith in anything.
This is dark picture but IT. is not sur
prise. The criticism that aSsaiis the autnorl- |
ty of the Old Testament will not long re'aln
the New. The New Testament Is lull Oh i ene
Old. The two are one, and they stano or !ait
together. No artful phrasing can conceal me
issue If the Pentateuch is discounted the
Gospels and EpistleS are 100. AS ahoIuttr
German puts 1t: THAT is fatal blindness II
one believes that in Literary questions ne ad ead
redemptive questions or Old lesLshenI uS
can remain in harmony with the Church anu
with Christ and his apostles Let us leatn
ars and divines OF this country meet. win
stout opposition, the advance OF The disguised
enemy. There is a real danger lest the ialth
of many be unsettled, and incalculable mis-
chief be wrought among all classes OF people
by the so-called Higher Criticism.
The above article was clipped from the last
weeks issue of the Associate Reformed Pres
byterian. We publish it not that we believe
that the publication OF such articles, and the
admissions therein made. will do any good
but we reprint it to impress those who are Or
daned to the ministry and assume 10 be the
ambassadors OF our Saviour.
We assert, without the slightest fear OF sue
cessful contradiction, that the frequent men
tion by the pulpit Of the fact Of the un-
belief of the learned scientists of Germany,
together with their own criticisms of the
translation OF the Bible has done more 10
create doubt in the minds of the people than
all other causes combined. When an igno-
rant preacher, who reads none of the current
literature OF the day, and who can barely
speak pardonabe English, assumes TO cr!ti-
else and point out the errors Of the learned
men who translated the Bible, does he not
put himself in a ludicrous position? When
the same man undertakes to criticse the Ger
man scientists doesn't the comparison be-
tween himself and the scientist place him at
a disadvantage?
1t matters not what the German scientists
say. The main question is: "Whom say
ye that am" Preach Christ and his gos-
pei, and let the scientists alone.
An extended knowledge Of Theology is not
a condition precedent to salvation.
Our vision may not be able to penetrate
His pavilion Of darkness, but our prayers
may ascend to Him, with the assurance that
they will be heard
However ignorant we may be as to the COM
ponents OF the triune Godhead, yet pure
heart is always acceptable at the throne OF
grace.
We may know very little Of the science or
plan of salvation, but the humble prayers of
the penitent will not be dlsregarded.
The thirst for the infinite proves inflnity.
while we may not be able to outline his figure
on canvass or detect it clearly in our minds,
yet we know that our Father who SO loved
the world that he gave his only Son for our
salvation, will not turn away trusting and
devoted servant.
Let no believer argue with any unbefiver.
The divinity OF our Saviour admits of no ar
gument, and he who consents to argue, or tries
10 prove il, gives himself away.
The Press and Banner believes that this is a
practical world, where reason and common
sense are factors in ali that contributes to the
welfare Of mankind. And we believe that no
practical good can come of lessening the re.
spect of the people for the correctness OF the
accepted translation OF the Bible. We further
believe that little pigmy puts the gospel al
a disadvantage when he asserts that the most
learned men OF the world are agnostics, or un-
believers, but that he, with all his great pre- L"
sumption, and little bit of learning, is be-
lever in the redeenlng grace Of our blessed
Lord.
We admit that we know positively nothing
of the scientists of Germany, but the bare as
sertion of their unbeief not only does them
an injustice. but is misleading.
IL those most learn ed do not believe, then
what are We TO do?
But while we know nothing at all of the
German scientists. yet we know that they
haye reason and CON mon sense Admit this
proposition, and they cannot deny the cardi-
nal doctrines. of christianity. They cannot
deny the existence OF such a thing as truth
Truth is the foundation stone. or bed rock
of all that is good and holy. They
cannot deny the benefit OF honesty, and
the DleSSlnS Oh virtue. Inc GertIlan SclenJlSlS
must admit the purifying influence OF the
life and example Of our blessed Lord and Sa.
viour.
Because these scientists do not believe as
we do In all things, is there any reason TO
make the world believe that these learned
men deny all that is good?
Wesay this: Let our ministers preach the
gospel OF our Saviour. Let them accept the
translation as 1t has been handed down to us.
II they will do this they will have much to
do. They need not waste their time. running
after German scientists or ridicuipg the
translation of the Bible.
II they will abstain from the irreverent use
of the name of the Almighty while in the
pulpit, as we'll as in their conversations. they
will promote respect for the Name at whose
mention all should bow, and which should
not be taken on any lip except in reverential
awe.
The preacher who irreverently uses the
name of the Almighty fifty times in one ser.
mon ought to be summoned before the church !
court and if he gives not proper evidence Of
sorrow and repentance for his profanity he /
should be dismissed from the church.