The Modern Point of View in Religion

California, 1914

Short Sermons for Busy Readers

"The Modern Point of View in Religion!"

Acts 14:15 — "That ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God."

Are we medievalists or modernists? The medieval point of view has passed in science. It was characterized by the deductive method — the method of taking a formula or a Bible text and, by a series of logical deductions, seeking to arrive at the facts. The modern scientific point of view is characterized by the inductive method — the method of carefully gathering the facts and then patiently sitting down before them to try to understand what they really say.

The medieval point of view in society was represented by arbitrary government from above. Its typical expression was feudalism and monarchy. Men were to give unquestioning obedience to the authority of emperor, king and overlord. This is rapidly passing away. The modern spirit in society is democratic. "Taxation without representation is tyranny." "That government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not pass away from the earth" — these are watchwords of modernism in the social order.

How about religion? Is there a modern viewpoint here as well?

ARE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS

It seems to me there is a distinctly modern point of view in religion and it is marked by these four characteristics:

(1) — It appeals not to dogma so much as to present experience. It believes as the text says in "a living God." It finds God right here in His world, "closer to us than breathing and nearer than hands or feet." It sees in the great processes of nature the power and wisdom and indwelling presence of God. He is not far away. He did not create the world and leave it. He is an ever-present reality. He is the soul of the universe.

(2) — It finds reinforcement in modern psychology. It believes that "the descent into the soul is the ascent to God." The new understanding of the greatness of the subconscious mind, for example, gives to prayer a new depth of meaning. Our lives are vitally in touch with and a part of the life of God. We are not entirely isolated, but our little lives are related to God somewhat as the bay is related to the great ocean beyond. Prayer becomes as inevitable as the movement of the tides. Such a faith calls men "from these vain things to a living God."

REINFORCEMENT FROM BIBLE

(3) — It finds reinforcement from the Bible. Religion from the modern viewpoint does not originate from the Bible. It could exist without the Bible. But it finds in the Bible its finest examples and purest spiritual food. And the greatest thing to be gained from the Bible is the inspiration to find God in our world as the Bible men and women found Him in theirs — to believe that God is as ready to speak to us as He was to Moses, Elijah or St. Paul.

(4) — Finally the modern point of view in religion is characterized by a larger and profounder conception of salvation. Salvation is no mere escape from hell. It is the achievement of Christian character, "unto the fullness of the stature of Christ." Nor is salvation merely individual. No really modern man could rest content in heaven while a single soul remained outside. Salvation must be social and unselfish to meet the rigorous tests modern thought.

—REV. A. W. PALMER.

Rev. Albert W. Palmer is pastor of the Plymouth Congregational church of this city.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, March 1, 1914, editorial page.