Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1916-01-22

PERPLEXING QUESTION OF THE
CENTURIES AWAITS AN ANSWER
Variety of Views, but Still the Query Disturbs-Va Re-
sponse Needed on Viii ch Progress Depends.

! greatest moral and spiritual progress
Not alone is this poser for the theolo-
gian to settle, but as well for the
statesman, the educator, the indus
trial leader, the capitalist, the work
man and everyone however promi-
nent or obscure in the complex organ
ization known as society. II it were
answered by all and answered cor
adjustments, the evils generally
would be overcome, especially il His
own statement is true. that all power
in heaven and earth is His.
The question, What think ye of
Christi" is especially a poser for any
who cannot think in spiritual terms,
and therefore has no incentive nor
quickening spiritual ideas and ideals
to apply to human need. The ques-
tion is raised in order to induce men
to reflect. From the reflections of
men concerning Christ and their own
experience in their personal relations
to Him have come results in the de-
veloping new order of life in the
meaning of Christianity This is not
ready-made system, but has grown
out of the understanding of men con-
cerning Christ. He took the initia-
tive, provided the principles and
truths that should control and shape
the system of enlarged life that bears
His name. The nations have respon-
sibility as we'll as the individual for
developing the new order of life and
enlarging the spiritual meaning of
Christianity's progress, or reaction
will be determined by the answer
given to this question.
Only -Four Years Ago.
1t was only four years ago, in the
very midst of the war zone, the peo-
pie of Germany were staying up to
midnight in great crowds attending
meetings and listening to discussions
about the person of Christ, that had
been evoked by book of a professor
who sought to revive the myth theory
of Christ. There was much popular
interest and the occasion was called
"Christological Crisis" The historic
person of Christ was clearly under at
tack and the whole discussion was an
effort to answer this centuries long
query: What think ye OF Christi"
The popular interest was a sign of the
time. The masses of the people who
manifest interest in whatever pertains
to Christian truths believe in the his
torical person, Jesus. The fact that
He lived the life of men and entered
iYaf
thinking and for masses Of men gives
meaning to life. 1t was what Jesus in
Himself was that appeals to men.
The reality of His presence histor-
ically and in the expressions of life
have the force of conviction.
In view of the fact that not long
ago there was in Germany such pop
ular interest, and "Christological
Crisis" it is difficult to explain from
same people are plunged into war.
Has another answer been given to the
question: What think ye of Christ p"
Has it been the fact that the answer
given a few years ago was of simply
scholastic character and not of a
practical, humane and spiritual char
acter? The extremes OF human ma
ture. thought and action are hard to
explain.
The discussions and contests of
scholarship are interesting and in
structive, but the incorporation of
Christ's spirit and life in human af-
fairs is constructive. instruction must
precede construction. The building up
in creed and confession of the real
Christ is good, but to build Him up in
individual character and life and in
the affairs of the nations is better.
The one is an intellectual answer to
the perplexing question: What think
ye of Christi" and the other is the
vital answer to the question.
Prophetic Utterance.
In the shifting of opinion on this
question, the answer that is essential
to human progress and the quicken
ing of spiritual ideas and life must
come forth. But men will make their
lives better or worse in accord with
the answers they give to this i'm
portant question of the ages When
one day an aged man of ancient Israel
took babe, named Jesus, In his arms
and said: Behold, this child Is set
for the fall and rising again of many
in Israel" he was in effect making a
prophetic utterance and declaring that
the child was destined to become the
arbiter of essential problems of future
civilization. It is conceivable that the
time will come not far distant when
the advanced nominally Christian peo-
Piles of the world will become weary
of the devastating struggles Of armed
forces with their fearful toll in life
and losses in property and from sheer
WEAKNESS and in shame and humility
journey in spirit to the cross and
there confess that they have utterly
missed the correct answer to the ques-
ton What think ye of Christi" Such
would be "Christological Crisis" in
deed If then, definitely, the construc-
tive moral and spiritual teaching of
Jesus is acknowledged and the way to
His regenerative spiritual influence
cleared of all obstacles, will not the
right answer be found? Haeckel dis
coursed on the riddle of the Uni
verse;" but here is the riddle of
Christendom: Why is it that nations
and individuals that are regarded as
Christian; that reverence His per-
sonality and would defend attacks
upon Him, do not think His thoughts
after Him; do not live like Him, and
do not place His ideals in the fore
ground of their efforts? Would it not
be a marvellous time were the gov