Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-18
Religious Questions
DISCUSSED BY
DR.. s. Parkes Cadnnan.

with differences Of emphasis and ex-
preston. Changes in language and in
proportion of stress do not necessarily
imply o change Of attitude toward the
essentials of the New Testtmsnt Gospel.
The idea of O united church Is en-
Enthusiastically Endorsed by the majority
of churchmen and OF non church attend
ants. because of the effectiveness of
much institutional religion. When the
Protestant laity OF large forego their
prejudices and instead OF retreating be-
hind effete phrases and practices frank
ly deal with the issues and difficulties
confronting the church, in partnership
with her pastors who are real leaders,
there will be a revival Of spiritual life,
quickening of the Christian con-
science and a renewal of the mind Of
Christ and His disciples.
Such an intellectual, ethical and re-
ligious awakening will 60 far to enrich
the aremic condition you lament.
@. Your recent reply to the question,
What are the five greatest religions of
the world and their sacred literature?"
did not include Judaism in that cate
CORY.
Surely, the religion Of which Chris
tianity is en- outgrowth has given much
toward civilization, and although its fol-
lowers are few in comparison with those
Of the other religions you named, I
think it Is important enough to be men,
toned.
For Judaism is still vital faith, in
spite OF persecution. The Jews still be-
lieve In its tenets and find their saliva
ton therein as they did in the time Of
the prophets. Furthermore, the Bible
itself is proof enough Of how enduring
Israel Is.
hope you do not resent my sending
you this letter, and shall be more than
happy if you will reply in your column
A. Most assuredly Judaism is q world
religion, and as such it furnishes the
historic background for Christianity
and Islam. The best exposition Of its
literature shows that the Old Tesla
ment Is a record of the sublimest re-
and also spiritual Interpretation of
their marvellous history applied to the
destinies of mankind.
Although Judaism is not primarily a
transmission of theological elements, it
provides the materials for a first-rate
theology in its concept of God as the
moral sovereign of the universe and of
man as created to fulfill the righteous
purpose Of his Maker. The Old Tesla
ment Is thus indispensable to the New
Testament, and, on the other hand, 1t is
Bibles later books.
The two leading ideas of these Tesla
ments are, respectively, creation and re-
demption. Both reveal a growing self
disclosure by the otherwise unknown
Deity and the evolution of the idea OF
God In the Hebrew Scriptures culmi-
mates in the person and teaching Of
Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. My
omission Of the Hebrew religion In the
list to which you refer, was in no sense
meant to discriminate against its moral
strength or spiritual authority. I men,
toned the world faiths which have the
largest number of adherents because I
was asked to do SO.
Doubtless you have read THE Legacy
Of Israel" edited by Edwyn r. Bevan
and Charles Singer, and published by
the oxford University Press. Those who
desire enlightenment on the issue before
us. and many who need 1t, though they
may not desire 1t, should procure this
excellent book.