Continued
T N our previous studies o f Paul’s first -*• Epistle to the Corinthians we have taken up the Introduction (i. 1-9) ; Party Fac tions (i. 10- iv. 21) ; Social Purity—Failure to Exercise Discipline in Moral Affairs (chaps, v and vi) ; Marital Problems (chap, vii) ; Christian Liberty (viii. 1—xi. 1) ;. Church Decorum—Abuses in Connection with Public Worship (xi. 2-34) ; Spiritual Gifts—Their Use and Abuse (xii-xiv). We now proceed to the seventh main division o f the book. Christianity is the only religion that bases its claim to acceptance upon the resurrec tion o f its Founder, from the dead. It is unique in this respect. No other religion makes such a claim because It does not dare to. Mohammedanism, Buddhism, Confu cianism, Mormonism, Christian Science— these professed religions do not make any such claim. Christianity alone issues such a challenge and dares to base its acceptance upon the resurrection o f its Founder from the dead. It is common in some quarters to Compare Christianity with other relig ions; consequently we have what is called the “ Science o f Comparative Religions.” Christianity, however, is by no means a comparative religion. It is superlative. If in no other ' respect, surely with regard to the resurrection o f its divine Founder from VII. DOCTRINAL DISCUSSION— THE RESURRECTION (Chapter xv)
the dead, Christianity differs from all other religions. The resurrection o f Jesus Christ is vital to the religion that bears His name. Both the enemies and friends o f Christianity admit this to be true. A leading opponent o f Christianity is quoted as saying, “ If the- resurrection o f Jesus Christ actually took, place, then C h r i s t i a n i t y must be admitted to be what it claims to be—a- unique, divine, supreme, revelation.” The Apostle Paul, the friend o f Christianity, says that “if Christ be not risen from the dead, our preaching is vain, our faith also is. vain, and we are yet in our sins.” In the one instance, the opponent seeks to do- away with the historical evidence for the accepted fact; in the other, the adherent claims that if Christ be not risen, them Christianity is a sham. W e are informed by some that Chris tianity remains intact and is not at all hurt by the inability or refusal to aecept the doctrine o f the resurrection o f Jesus- Christ. It seems very apparent, however, that any attempt to deny this fundamental doctrine o f the Christian faith is a blow aimed at the dissolution o f Christianity itself. The life o f Jesus Christ and the story o f that life as recorded in the gos pels is not to be considered piecemeal. It must be taken as a whole. The gospel story rises or falls in one piece. I f we begin, by denying the virgin birth at the com mencement o f Christ’s life, and then deny the resurrection at its close, it'w ill not Joe-
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