Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-09
DISCUSSED BY

and took its definite shape In the fact
Of the incarnation. The doctrine Is
stated in various ways, but underlying
one and all Is the Johannine convic-
ton that "the word became flesh" (St.
John, I'D. Your inquiry IL in effect /:
Was the divine incarnation final and
perfect in Jesus? The answer of the
church universal Is that 1t was, and
that every Self-unveiling of Deity else
where finds its completion in Him. The
inmost nature and the aims of the
Father are lodged in His chosen son.
Hence. the suggestion that His mani
feStaticn will be superseded or even
supplemented seems to me to indicate
a profound misapprehension Of the sig
nif1cance OF Jesus. Can you conceive
anything more conducive to human well
fare than that all men should express
in themselves what they discern in
Him? Moreover. a perfect social estate
would be one in which He was supreme
OF course, as merely academic
query. 1t Is open to ask il Jesus is final.
But the late Prof. James Denney once
remarked that 1t would be time enough
10 talk about Superseding the Master
when we had caught UP with st. Paul.
AS 1t Is, that servant Of His Lord Is still
on the far horizon Of our spiritual
aspirations.
@. How do you explain the illogical
reasoning of the average Protestant in
regard to his religion? For instance, a
Congregationalist claims he has the
right conception of Christ's teaching in
the New Testament. and yet the other
| numerous varieties Of Protestant church,
men claim the same for their respective
-
these doctrines be right when they con-
tradict each other? BY whom and how
Is such a question decided? Failure
heretofore to get satisfactory solution
to these answers has caused me to
| abandon all church affiliation.
| A. The differences which separate the
| Reformed churches are ecclesiastical
| rather than doctrinal. The vast ma
| jority of ProtestantS accept the essen
tial truths Of the evangelical faith and
believe In Jesus Christ as their Savior
and Lord. But their denominations are
divided on matters Of church policy and
discipline. Other divisions are due to
| the political disputes of former day.
For instance. the slavery issue sepa-
rated several Of the larger Protestant
bodies In America and, although they
now show fraternal attitude toward
so extensive that practical difficulties
hamper their reunion
| Yet the movement toward consolida-
ton is gaining ground and the Federal
Council Of Churches of Christ in
America serves as its clearing house.
It's overtures and proposals have already
done much for comfy and cooperation
on the basis of a mutual understanding
| which is wearing away barriers. I do
not think you should break away from
church affiliation. because unity cannot
| happen overnight.
Instead of finally forsaking the church
| to which you were related. identify your
self actively with its local interests and
cultivate generous spirit toward all
other churches. This Is the leaven Of
| loyalty to Christ and Of liberality toward
His followers of every persuasion. Since
it will finally interpenetrate the whole
body Of Christianity, you should con-
| tribute your life's energies to the great
! goal you desire to see achieved.