such emphasis placed upon the crucifixion and resurrec tion of the Saviour. Also such references would be antici pated in an article purporting to contain an answer to the ills of the world. However, a thorough perusal of this long, four-column wide message fails to turn up a single verse from the Bible, a mention of the Scriptures, or any reference whatsoever to God, Christ, salvation or the cross. What is said of the increase of immorality in the world, of the inroads of Communism in many nations, and other evils that are undermining our civilization, is beyond dispute. But what we as believers in God and the Bible are searching for is the answer to all of these conditions. What remedy does Dr. Buchman propose? Mention is made of Japanese youth leaders, French Catholics, Tuni sian Moslems, police chiefs throughout the world, mili tary leaders everywhere, the chancellor of Germany, political heads in Rangoon and Burma, dock workers in Brazil,— to name a few—all of whom are represented as having found in Moral Re-Armament the solution to all of their problems. Nations are claiming that through this Group alone they have discovered the deterrent to the infiltration of the Communistic ideology in their lands. Hollywood is quoted as propagandists of the new Moral Re-Armament ideology. Differences between such fac tions as capital and labor are said to be resolved by this Group. Even in the Congo, according to a quotation from
I n t h e A p r il 2, 1961 Los Angeles Times there appeared a full-page advertisement bearing a large-type head ing: “An Easter Message for the Whole World,” with the by-line “ Dr. Frank N. D. Buchman.” This advertisement was signed “Moral Re-Armament” and carried the ex planation that it had been paid for by men and women interested in giving this particular message to “ America and the World.” Similar huge advertisements have been published by newspapers across the country within the last year or so. Moral Re-Armament is readily identified with the old Oxford Group, by which name it is still known in many quarters, particularly in Great Britain. The original name was First Century Christian Fellowship, and its ad herents have been designated variously as Groupists, New Groupers, and Buchmanites. However, “Moral Re-Arma ment” which began as q slogan, apparently has ended up as .their favorite designation. Nevertheless, it is neces sary to add “ Oxford Group” for proper identification. Frank Nathan Daniel Buchman, was the founder of the Group. Now, as this organization claims to be Christian, pri marily interested in the spiritual welfare of mankind, one would naturally expect to find in this impressive and expensive newspaper spread a declaration of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Particularly would this be looked for at the Easter season when in all Christendom there is
With this issue we begin a three-part series on What's Wrong with Moral Re-Arma ment (Oxford Group)? by^ the well-known expert in such matters, Dr. Louis T. Talbot, Biola's Chancellor. The first article is introductory. The second will cover origin and organization; and the third will deal with teachings and techniques of this group. These articles will be published in a booklet which will be obtainable in the near future.
TH E KING'S BUSINESS
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