South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-22
GARDINER HITS
At OLD THEORY
He Scouts PredeStination as 1t
is Interpreted by Twentieth
Century Philosophy.

AT the 81 Paul's Methodist Epis-
copaI church sunday morning the
pastor. Rev JaJmes L. Gardiner, j..
G.. spoke on the subject. The Bible
Doctrine of Predestination.' basing
his sermon on Romans S:29. For
whom he did foreknow he also did
predestinate to be conformed 10 the
image OF His Son
DR. Gardiner in part said. This
is one OF the great texts of tile Bible
Ii is one about which for many years
fierce theological controversies have
taken place. 1 do not wish this
morning. however, 70 enter into any
theological debate OF discussion.
have chosen this text as a basis Of
remarks because 1 believe it pre-
sents one Of the greatest truths Of
our holy religion. ! believe We
that it Is the eternal purpose OF
divine love that every man be con-
formed TO the IMAGE of Christ.
81 am we'll aware that some theo-
ogians have taught that part Of the
human race was foreordained TO be
lost and part was predestined TO
be saved But we all know that
this teaching is contrary 10 the
whole tenor o. Holy Scriptures and
violates not only our reasons but
our conception of Gods love and
justice. We cannot believe today
that God is a partial God. We can
not believe that men are born into
the world without chance We
cannot believe that a just and molly
God elected certain people 10 ever
lasting life while at the same time
He elected other people - ever
lasting damnation.
What Apostle Taught.
OF ann glad TO say that Paul did
not believe in this kind of an cleo
ton lie taueht and believed that
not a part OF the race-nOt certain
people-but that all are divinely
elected TO be saved. Listen 70 our
Whom he did foreknOw'--
and whom did He foreknow? ALL
He did also predestinate to he con
formed TO the IMAGE Of His Son.
This then is the Bible doctrine Of
predestination that God who fore
knew every human life has pre-
destinated that every man and
woman i'm the world be made like
unto Christ n character and con-
duct.
some time ago 7 received a let
ter IN which the writer stated that
if IL were the purpose of God that
every man should be saved and
lead righteous life. then all would
be saved and all would lead a holy
life That ] consider 10 Oe very
weak argument-sO weak that it is
no argument at all-for do we not
know that Gods plans and pur-
poses are not always realized in
human liVes2 And why Because
of sin. God purposes that every
man be conformed 10 the image OF
Christ but frequently sin defeats
and illustrates the divine purpose.
Away then with the shallow
dogma which says that il God has
elected every man 70 salvation. then
every man will be saved II is the
and eternal purpose
and election of divine love that all
should lead righteous !ife-'be
10 the image of His Son
but I repeat loves purpose.
though uuch8nging is often not
realized because of mans sin
Brings Sermon Home.
ASK that father. who before his
son was Oorn. elected him 10 a
noble character and career. Ask
him IL his purpose ever changed
toward his son. He will tell YOU
that though his son at times griev-
ously disappointed him. and brought
him down TO a premature grave,
nevertheless his-the father's-love
never changed The boy may go
down 20 eternal disgrace but never
theless the fathers election was
one of love toward his sOn-the
purpose was that the boy
live worthily and nobIy
so God purpose toward all men
is that all men live rishteously.
soberly and sodly i'm this world.
The divine destiny is that all men