453
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
October 1930
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greater sympathy than before to those who come with the Gospel of Christ. Some are claiming that Christian missions in China have received a severe set-back, if not a death blow. If this were true, and it cannot be admitted, not a. little of the blame would lie at the door of the exponents of the new theology whose concessions to heathenism have perverted the Gospel they were sent to preach, and whose misdi rected though sincere efforts to build a semi-political king dom of God have proved not only useless but positively dangerous. — o — Does Science Abandon Naturalism? T HE idea tharall the forces in nature are controlled by natural law seems about to be abandoned by the new est science. Not long ago the Professor of Physics at Har vard wrote an article in which he argues that behind the atom and the electron is a sphere of action without law. According to the Essenticdist, Professor Compton, of the chair of Physics at Chicago University, has more recently stated “ that the principle of the uniformity of nature is no longer tenable.” He follows this up with significant and startling conclusions. The Essenticdist sums up his conclu sions as follows: First, he affirms that the old conception of evolution, which reduced the universe to the chance result of a con flict of interacting forces, must now be definitely aban doned. Second, he affirms the fact o f intelligence behind the universal process. The universe is being moved by an intelligent force to an intelligently chosen goal. There is purpose in it. Third, Professor Compton affirms that man’s freedom is clearly indicated in experience; that his choice is not controlled by his body, but that, on the con trary, it in part controls his body. The spiritual is thus demonstrably, in some degree, independent of the physical, both of the body and of the brain. He concludes that though physically small, man is, nevertheless, the crown o f being, and that the noblest value in the universe is man’s finished character. Thus again science has had to confess that naturalism provides, no explanation of, the mysteries of nature.. The moment it admits that behind every known law there is dis covered a region in which there is “a principle of uncer tainty,” there is room made for the entrance of the God of the Bible and the Biblical explanation of the beginning of creation; and it makes not only logical but necessary the expectation of immortality. — o — S. D. Gordon’s Theological Views I T seems to be the common lot of Christian writers to have their theological views misunderstood and their statements misinterpreted in spite’ of careful efforts to guard against any appearance of unorthodoxy. Mr. S. D. Gordon feels that such has been his experience. To allay suspicion and silence criticism, he has put in his latest book, “ Quiet Talks on the Bible Story,” a statement of his doctrinal views. It is so courageous, clear cut, and con vincing, that it ought to satisfy the most exacting defender
Chinese Revolution and Missions WO articles on the present Chinese situation ap peared recently in Current History. One was ostensibly from the viewpoint of the Christian church. The other writer speaks of himself as an outside observer. The supposedly Christian viewpoint was given by Dr. Rawlinson, editor of the Chinese Recorder, whose •pronounced liberal theological views are well known. It is disappointing as well as misleading. There are high sound ing phrases about changing conditions and relationships in China, the need of a “ really indigenous Christian message” which should be “ couched in Chinese thought terms,” the importance of evolving a Chinese form of church organi zation which will appeal to the native mind, etc. There is also the familiar liberal dogma that Christianity must recognize the values found in other ancient religions and must reconstruct the Christian system accordingly. It is assumed that the old Gospel message is wholly unsuited to the new age. Not once is it suggested that it is necessary or important to find a Biblical foundation for the Christian message and method. Dr. Rawlinson speaks Correctly when he states that there is uncertainty about the content and meaning of the Christian message, especially “ in the ranks of youth and those given the advantage of modern training.” But he | fails to say that this boasted “ modern training” has been given by liberals like himself. Their method has been first to destroy the foundations of the youth, and then to prate about the need for new “ Chinese word forms” in which to couch the new message. When examined, it is perfectly evident that this involves the surrender of every distinc tive and essential Christian doctrine. The writer of the second article in Current History unconsciously reveals how the liberal propaganda has already shown- its dangerous tendencies. He chides the missionaries who enthusiastically backed the Nationalist cause a few years ago and influenced western governments to assume an attitude toward China which later became very embarrassing. He tells how the Nationalists turned upon these same missionaries and struck them a heavy blow. If he had confined his criticisms to the mission aries of the liberal camp, there would have been wisdom and justice in his remarks. Unquestionably, the attitude of the proponents of the new theology has been politically unwise, and has distinctly, although unintentionally, aided the designs of the Bolshevists. In neither of these articles is the situation in China dis cussed from a truly Christian position, There is no need for Christianity in China to change its message. The Gos pel has not lost its. power. The work o f the Spirit-filled .evangelist is still the most essential factor in the regen eration of the individual and the reconstruction of society. While the present unrest has to some extent interrupted the program of evangelization undertaken by many true missionaries and native Christians, reports indicate that the very distress of the people is causing them to turn with
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