The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-11
''AIl Creeds Are Provisional"

modern phraseology. 50 clearly and exactly
that their meaning cannot be misunder-
stood.
"AIl Creeds Are Provisional.''
Each age has the right to express Its
own belief. and we are not to be tied to a
form OF words. however excellent and ap-
propriate In the time in which it was writ
ten. A written creed IS not tinality; it Is
only a report of knowledge up 10 date. All
creeds are provisional. not exhaustive, OF
the truth contained in the word of God. The
holy spirit is 10 guide US into all truth. and
so there Isl to be advancement and progress
in the knowledge of divine things. All agree
that there is such thing as the develop
ment of doctrine: that is, truth at one time
not seen clearly, or in its proper relations.
has been, through further study OF the
word of God and the enlightenment of the
Holy Spirit, brought out in clearer light. and
better statements. There is advance in sc1en-
titic knowledge. We have new geology.
new chemistry, and 50 We must have ne"
theology, not that old truths are To De
abandoned. but that they must have a bet
ter adjustment, and are to be placed In their
true relations. We have L wider vision as
knowledge advances.
1T is claimed also that our present stand
ards are defective. They place an undue en-
phas!s upon the sovereignty OF God: repre-
senting it as arbitrary and unconditional IN
Its action; and they fail to recosnlze tne
scriptural doctrine of the fatherhood OF
God They state clearly Gods love for the
elect. and his abundant provision for tneir
salvation but they omit TO say anything 2
about his love for all men. the sufficlency OIL
the sacrifice of Christ for all. and the free
ard sincere offer of the GOSPEL to ill men.
They contain no clear and definite state
ment of the scriptural doctrine of the Holy
Spirit or of the duty of the churcn IN a.
cordance of the great demand OF thrlst, "
eyangeliZe the world.
philosophy of the confession are antiquated-
For example, the statement that Geo in.ce
of nothing the world and all thinss ,nerein n;
whether visible or invisible. In the space OF
six days is not regarded as accurate IN lne
light of modern science. Nor Is the state
ment that it Is a sin to refuse an oath now
regarded as sound morality. scripture cN-
egesis has made great advance since tns
days of the Westminster Assembly, anu
very few scholars now would 11en.i1y tne
Pope of Rome with the anti-Christ mem
toned by Paul. in his letters to the rhes-
salonians. as did the Westminster dlvines.
1t is also plain that some Of the statements
about elect infants. do not adequately rep
resent the present belief Of the church.
How Best to Make Changes.
"These. in brief, are some Of the reasons
that in various degrees have lnnuehceu
those who desire some changes In the con-
fession. / have stated them dispassionately,
but / think a candid consideration OF them
win lead to the conclusion that at least
some of them have force
FOR myself. / frankly admit that l am
in sympathy with the movement. so 1ar as
it seeks to give a fuller statement 10 tne
doctrines believed by us. ane cartsin 10 mara.
nh
graphs in our present confession. Inc
ayowed purpose in calling the Westminster
Assembly 25S years ago was for the vin1l-
cation and clearing of the doctrines OF tne
church from all false aspersions and ms
constructions The church has the unques.
tionable right to do the same thing now. II
the occasion demands, and that there Is
necessity for it is clearly shown oy 'he fe-
turns from the Presbyteries-
..The only difference Of opinion Is as 70
the best method of accomplishing the
change In general, three ways have peen
suggested each one of which has Its earnest
advocates One, and in certain respects the
most radical method. is the making or an
entirely new statement of the things most
surely believed among u.s. This proposed
creed is to contain the same system OF doc-
trine, unchanged. that is in the old confes-
sion but it is to be briefer. and to De ex-
pressed in modern language. The advo-
Gates of this method hope by such course
to get rid of the infelicities of the Old con.
fession. and at the same time to present
it's truths to the people in way that WILL
be acceptable to them.
Nev Creed Not Practicable.
.sIf such a creed as this were prepared,
presented to the whole church and found.
iypon closest scrutiny, to be all that is
claimed for it, there certainly could be no
valid objection to accepting 1t as an IN