New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02
An ANSWER FROM DIR. SAVAGE.
WHAT CHURCH FATHERS AND ST. PAUL.
THOUGHT ABOUT THE DEITY
OF CHRIST

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: am not well enough Just new to write con-
troversial articles. even were they wanted But
as writer in your paper last week challenged
10 have your host OF readers know that 1 was cor
rect in all my statements
mon 81 last sunday in which show the historic
also what / said as to Paul and the other apostles
In fairness and for the sake OF giving your read
ful to you YOU. for a generous hearing
that it has been the universal belief OF Christen-
the Church fathers held and taught the deity Of
nriSt He sad this In supposed eontrsdietion OF
last Sunday. He speaks of me as the one OBJ
says that 9n1ersa Sss aughp that
the Church fathers and Paql and the apostles be-
PolycaTp. who belonged to the second century;
tury Clement who belonged to the third Century:
Iren1eus who belonged TO the third century; Ter
century; Lactantius OF the fourth century: Greg
these areat. leading. iIlustrious Church fathers
are witnesses 10 the fact that the generally &C
turtles was the supreme deity Of the Father only
and the subordinate and created nature OF the
from f M Justin Martyr He say says There is Lord
the cause Of His existence
Tertulan, one of the most Jealous of the Church
fathers behalf of the new doctrine OF the deity
of the Christ, himself that, when It was hrst
prOpOunOeO, II startled people Inc greater part
an innovation. something new They were not
great struggle which illuminated in the battle Of
Athanasius stood almost alone in the Church in
holding these views During this fourth century
they believed that Jesus was not equal with God.
You have some of you heard that az the Council
We're at work in deciding the doctrine that Jesus
the Nicene Greed itself is not quite Trinitarian in
the orthodox use Of that word II teaches that
it does not go so far as 70 declare the equality Of
Now after the decision in favor OF Athanasius
see what influences were at work. The Emperor
of the churches Of the East and Installed at their
aon sa0 mop WnG was fvor OF the nan
torian, author OF a History OF the Church" says
was violent he called together hundred and fifty
bishops Shosen as the result Of his arP P die
| Gil Of Constantin9ple met in the year Sl; which
/ Father and the Son. But then they did
! quite complete the statement of the Trinity as 10
! ment was not finally made until the early part OF
oune of the Cburch ST. AmgstIns Wss
! one OF the great champions OF the new thought,
until he found the true doctrine concerning the
Divine W2rd in q, q Latin translation OF some PA,
| not find the doctrine taught in any part OF the
| Scriptures.
and now Neander, one Of the most famous
backbone, says that the doctrine of the Trinity
| necessary or essential part OF
may clearly be from the fact that IL is not
taught in any passage in the New Testament.
| I submit to you that these facts justify what
| said last Sunday IN regard to the attitude OF the
| noted of the old Church fathers
1 Now let take step beyond the fathers: let
| us come to Paul. Paul died somewhere about the
| year IS. Paul. you know the first OF
| the New Testament writers; that is. Paul's au-
! thentic epistes written before either of the
Gospels before any Of the other books Of the New
Testament. Now I wish you to note Paurs teach
| ing. He teaches everywhere with perfect explicit
| ness. the subordinate position of Jesus. He be-
! to this earth by the Father a special
mission OF salvation for man: bit he teaches not
only the heretical doctrine of universal salvation
but the definite subOrdinatiOn Of Jesus He says
that all things are 10 be put under the feet OF
Jesus: but ne goes on, when this Is said, TO say
that; when all things are put under Him. it Is
manifest that He-God-is excepted being the
One who has made all things subject Him
And, when all things subject to Him and His
law. then He Is 10 deliver up the kingdom to God
even the Father. and God Is to be all and IN all
This is the explicit teaching OF Paul in Corinthians
Now note another thing Paul does not know
anything about miraculous conception. any Of
the wonderful birth stories-he does not know any
thing about the physical resurrection of Jesus
1t would have been greatly TO PauTs advantage
in his missionary work il he could have referred
to the supernatural birth of Jesus, but he Is ao-
solutey silent the whole subject. showing clear
~ that he knew nothing about It,