The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-22
DILUTED DOCTRINES
Of CHRISTIANITY

In the fifth OF a series of sermons on
Christian Philosophy the Rev. Peter
O'Callahan. Q. S. b.. speaking at the
Sacred Heart cathedral last night. mad
the following 10 say:
In the early years of the church
after Christianity began to make some
impression on the pagan world, there
grew UP certain notifications OF
Plagiarism which were partly Christian
and partly pagan. In the same was
that Christianity made its inroaca
upon paganism in ancient days
Modern paganism has made serious
inroads upon Christianity in the past
900 years There has been and there
is much diluted Christianity upon
every side of US. Every doctrine that
has been part of Christianity has been
denied by some one or the other OF the
many denominations. The sum total OF
the deniais of Christianity by various
Christian scots constitute total rejec-
tion of Christianity.
so much confusion has resulted
from this Reputation of Christianity
by Christians that the vital issues OF
the Gospel can be discerned only by
those who come to the consideration OF
II with open minds and who are OF
God.
He that Is Of God heareth the word
of God"
The pagan conception OF the
all sufficiency Of human reason was
reproduced in the doctrine OF private
judgment The character of this
conception was obscured because pri-
vate judgment was TO be applied TO
the Interpretation Of the inspired
pages of the Bible. Faith in the In
spiration of the Bible obscured the
rationalistic and pagan character OF
knGs$e M
ing the warnings OF the Bibles own
pages against private Interpretation.
The very evident truth that an indi-
viduars Interpretation Of the in
spired word Is not itself inspired was
covered up by those who willing and
dared TO put their own thoughts and
judgments into the mouth OF God.
The rationaIistic and pagan ele-
ment in private judgment of the Bible
has revealed itself not only In the
various denials OF Christian truths
but in the questioning Of the
very Inspiration OF the BiBble itself.
Setting foundation stones in
quicksaud does not promise much
for the solidity Of any building. Put
ting the fundamental truths of Chris
tianity on a false basis, not only dem
onstrates the falseness OF the
basis but the wick edness and the dire
consequences of the attempt to SGT
other foundations than that which
Jesus Christ has laid. Esse initial pa
ganism will manifest itself and
Christians must be purged of II even
If the process OF purGing cause I'M
told suffering.
Christianity will not die as the
Lord has declared the gates OF hel
shall not prevail" against his church
In the meantime we are having it de
monstrated to us that no man eat
lay other foundations for the Chris.
tan church than that Rock which il
Christ. Everlasting destiny anC
whence comes their knowledge. -ant
whence their authority 20 stipulate tht
conditions Of life eternal.
only that religion can stand tbs
scrutiny of this age which can ofYe'
something more than man madt
creed Only that religion Will be
heard with respect which can speal
with authority and can furnish ample
credentials to demonstrate the au
thoritv 10 sneak Only that religion
will exert last effect upon men''
lives which can satisfy the homes
inquirer Of the Legitimacy OF It's claim.
and the reliability Of It's message. Onl,
that religion can be called Christia Z
which can establish It's title 10 speal
for Christ and has spoken from tht
beginning; only that religion which
offers the whole gospel Of Jestt'
. Christ and can prove its genuine
| character.