THE K I N G ’ S BU S I N E S S
August, 1941
820
do. Our gospel is a matter of personal adjustment, not adjustment of the in dividual with society so much as of the individual with his Creator and Judge. Social relationships may, it is true, fi nally and indirectly be affected, but only where they basically need improve ment, and that will come naturally and spontaneously as, a result of the indi vidual’s coming into right relationship with liis God. To a few it may seem a pity to watch the passing of some primitive art such as certain native Philippine weaving. But who would déplore the passing of head hunting in Luzon or chattel slavery in Sulu? In the city of Manila, the writer took his native congregation somewhat by surprise when he appeared in the pulpit in the lovely Philippine outer shirt, made’ of native woven fabric, which, is far more practical |in that tropical climate.than “Western” •dress. He not only p u b l i c l y upbraided the people for wearing the uncomfortable American garments but also for copying so fully American habits, and for think ing American things are always far superior to native products. It is not the missionary, but the trader and the com- mercialist desirous of selling their prod ucts, who are forcing into the back ground the old civilizations. Let is consider one more arraign ment of missionary work. We are told that there is still so much to be done at home that it is unnecessary and im proper to concentrate on foreign mis sions. While we acknowledge that there is room for much more to be done at home, the suggestion that we complete that task first is basically selfish. When some doctor develops in his research a new cure for a certain disease, he does not wait until every case in his locality is cured before he makes available to the public as a whole the fruit of his discovery. It is true that charity begins at home, but it is also true that a horse led too often to a full water trough can not be made to drink. The unappreciated water will seep away or be drawn off by the noonday sun, and sincere efforts at the pump will largely have been wasted. Why not pump a few drops of water for dry and parched water troughs in distant fields where thirsty souls will eagerly drink and live? Charity begins at home, but it degenerates into self ishness if it ends there. Paul and Barnabas could have found more to do at Antioch, but they went to fields beyond and turned the world upside down. The Intrepid Apostle to the Gentiles could have found a few more needy souls in Asia Minor- or Attica, but he pressed on to set the Roman world on fire. And our Lord d o u b t l e s s could have done more in Jewry, but He “must needs go through Samaria.” Can we who own His name do bettor than to follow His example?
anism, and after the collapse of the Em pire, there was left an elaborate hier archical system of the Roman Church which disregarded and overruled secular authority for many centuries. 3. During the nineteenth century, good- feeling prevailed between church and state—the state favored the church, and the church did not bring its religion into the affairs of state. This condition reached it3 culmination in England and the United States. 4. Then came the World War! Com munism took advantage of the frightful confusion, and attacked the weak points of both church and state. Some churches commenced to encourage pacifistic movements, even in conflict with their government’s policy. Other churches (even in the same denominations), took opposite views. Leaders of both church and state now seem hopelessly con fused and have lost the vision of the proper function of the church and the government. n. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE ACCORDING TO THE PLAN OF GOD. 1. They are both institutions of God. a. The state (Gen. 9:1-15). b. The church (Matt. 16:18: “I will build my church,” etc.; Eph. 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 20:28). 2. They are to exist as separate insti tutions. (Note the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 22:17-21.) 3.. Men of the state have personal responsibility to God and the church of Jesus Christ, and, men of the church are not exempt from an individual re sponsibility toward their government. Note well and explain Romans 13:1-4. For the Leader 1. Although discussion is stimulating to original thinking, beware that this lesson does not lead to useless and pointless debate oh the question of “conscientious objection” or the like. 2. Do not let this lesson close with confusion 'in the minds of the young people. Summarize by emphasizing that our civil government has every right to make and enforce laws which govern man’s relation to his fellow men, but that it has no right to attempt to direct his relationship to his Creator and Lord. On the other hand, the church has no right to dictate to the state—the church’s God-ordained business is to win men to Christ. ANSWERING THE MISSIONARY’ S CRITIC [ Continued from Page 299] a modernizing of the ancients’ way of living. But we have spoken out against this practice. We strive to bring a spiritual message to the individual. We believe that is what our Lord would have us
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A new book by Dan Gilbert
★ THE FIFTH COLUMN IN OUR SCHOOLS
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how high school textbooks are being poisoned with propaganda against Christ and Country? . how youth is being led away ( from the Faith of the Fathers? Do you know . . . that anti-American, anti-Christian textbooks are being imposed upon more than 5,000,000 high school students in America? TH E FIFTH COLUMN is striking at the youth of America. It has entered into our very educational system. W it nesses before the Dies Committee showed that there are more than 55,000 Fifth Columnists holding teaching posi tions in our schools and colleges. Know the Truth About THE FIFTH COLUMN IN OUR SCHOOLS Dan Gilbert’s latest book. 35c p«r copy. The Danielle Publishers 4766 Norm, Drive Sen Diego, Calif. Do you know .
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