Denominations Coming Together Not All Good

1903

Not The Common View

One often hears it remarked that the church denominations are feeling much more kindly toward each other than formerly, and that the spirit of sectarianism is evidently on the wane. Most people are inclined to regard the change as for the better. The editor of St. Paul's Lutheran Messenger, of this city does not approve this view of the matter. In the last number of that excellent publication, he has the following to say on the subject:

"There is at present a very pronounced tendency for the various branches of the Christian church to come closer together. The exchange of pulpits, and the passing of members from one church to another, or the passing of preachers from the pulpit of one denomination to another, are quite frequently hailed as signs of a wonderful unity and harmony of God's people. People who can thus perform these spiritual acrobatic movements without any compunction of conscience are lauded as very liberal and advanced thinkers. There are no doubt very many things upon which we can agree; many enterprises where we can work side by side for the blessing of humanity; where Christian and Jew can look each other in the face as men, sometimes of noble pattern, and exchange thoughts and edify one the other. But I suspect that very much of this lauded liberalism is but a shallow concealment of the ignorance concerning the deep things of Jesus Christ. The ignoring of the fundamentals of the gospel may make a man very acceptable to people who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, provided he has the ear tickling faculty. The reason why so many seemingly well meaning people, members of Christian churches, can so readily pass from one to another is no doubt largely due to the want of knowledge of those people concerning the doctrinal foundation of the church. It is no doubt true that some denominations are losing power and prestige, because they were not built on the eternal rock. But it is just there, where the fallacy lies in the statement that one church is as good as another.

"That church is best, that holds closest to the great fundamental of faith in Jesus Christ. There is however ever one consolation in this whole movement and that is this: the man or the church that preaches the great fundamentals of the gospel persistently and positively will ultimately shape the faith and practice of the entire church. Negations never amounted to anything anyway. For a while these great, liberal spirits scorn to make a stir, but when the mists have rolled away after the storm, there will be nothing left but a remembrance of a mighty hubbub. Only what is built on the one sure foundation will outlast the test of the tempest shock."