The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-21
IS CALvIN1sM WORTH PRESERVING?

The above question is asked not in a spirit of
IDLE speculation but under the profound conviction
that it is especially pertinent this time; and that
proper answer will be deemed of vital Importance
to those who love that grand glorousy- fruited
system of doctrine We may say also that by the
word preserve" we do not mean that it be stored
away in the musty museums of the Church, of in
terest only to the curious student of the effete
creeds Of the past that it be considered simply
In the light of the historic faith" of the Church,
by which is meant, surmise, that it represents
phase OF the Church's past On the contrary we
mean by preserve, that it be the VITAL inspiring
conduct shaping faith of the living Church. To
be properly preserved it must be taught believed
n lived and wrought out in the spiritual the
Church With this understanding then the uues-
ton is raised as to whether the Reformed system
ooctrlne is worth perpetuatng because of certain
developments in modern church life.
The first of these the union of bodies that have
hitherto been adherents of opposing systems of
doctrine 1t has been confidently predicted by some
that these bodies would not come together; that
the staunch Calvinism of the could not be
brought to intermngle with the equally strong Ar
mln1anism of the other. But the fear seems now
justified that these would be prophets have not ac
curately judged the temper of the time 1t APP
pears now inevitable that union will be effected
Thus we shall have Cavinfsm and Armnianism
taken into united body
The second reason for asking the question Is the
proposal of other great bodies to advance a step
further than the case above mentioned The propo-
siton here is for Cavinistic Church to unite with
a somewhat more radically Arminian body and at
the same time to break down the safe guards of
polity which have hitherto shielded it's CaIvinism
This we consider a step far in advance, because
modern Calvinism sprang into existence simultan-
eousy with the Reformed poty, and the most
fruitful soil for its propagation culture has ever
been Presbyterianism. Three of the principle
churches of Canada propose to unite on a common
platform-it can scarcely be dignifed by the name
OF creed-thus as we it, not only surrenderng
their Calvinism, but their Presbyterfanism as we'll
Another reason for raising the question is found
in the fact that many whose Calvinism has never
been questioned and who have a long life of noble
Calvinistfc antecedents look on with apparent ap-
prevail at these no less than astounding facts and
would like to be identified with these movements
which, had they been suggested to a former genera
tion would have brought to their minds the horror
OF great darkness and impending calamity"
But of course, it Will be at once objected that
In these admitted changes Calvnism is not in the
slightest danger of being discounted. That the
Facts indicate almost the contrary These Arminfan
churches are coming around to Calvfnism We are
beginning now to understand each other better and
find that I'VE are nearer together than we thought"
oh there's the rub!" They are nearer together
but has 1t been progress toward Calvinism or
has Calvinism shifted? Is it possible that we are
just beginning to know system of doctrine? Has
anything been discovered with reference to the Re-