The Inter- Ckurch.
World Movement
Shall We Fall in Line? What is Its Basis? Who are It? Leading Lights? Whither Does it Tend?
D R . A . C . D IX O N
Many Ministers and Christian Workers have written asking the position of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles toward the Inter-Church World Movement. The article by Dr. A. C. Dixon of the Bible Institute Faculty probably states the views of most of the Bible Institute Teachers. The position of Dr. R. A. Torrey, Dean of the Institute is briefly defined in a note in the hands of the Editor. He says: “ Our attitude toward the Interchurch World Movement is that we think the Movement is very largely worldly in its methods and its weapons carnal. It aims to unite people who are too far apart to be united and we do not feel at liberty to go into the Movement. Nevertheless, if it can accomplish any good we rejoice in it. It seems to me personally very much like the ‘Men and Religion Movement’ which made great profession and spent a large amount of money, but as far as I could see, accomplished nothing, and in many places was an absolute hindrance to the work. I do not believe in this way of raising money for God’s work and I am confident there is something far more needed than money or even men in this present time and that is, God’s power obtained in answer to persistent prayer. It seems to me the whole tendency of this movement is to get people’s eyes on men rather than on God.” T HERE are five reasons why no evangelical Christian should co operate with the “ Inter-church”
countries are not missionary territory and missionaries from Catholic coun tries, like South America even, there fore, were refused recognition in that convention. This proves that John R. Mott has lost his evangelical vision, and no evangelical Christian can safely fol low such a man, however great may be his genius for leadership. It is also evident that the Young Men’s Christian Association under the leadership of John R. Mott as International Secretary, has apostatized from the evangelical spirit and policy of its founder, Sir George Williams, and its great promoter, D. L. Moody. A few secretaries are still faith ful to evangelical principles, but as an organization, the Y. M. C. A. has de generated into a merely social, educa tional, amusemental and humanitarian movement, without a trace of spiritual purpose. Its war record leaves it a dis credited institution in the evangelical world, and even those with high ethical
Movement. 1. It has no doctrinal basis. 2. The word “ evangelical” was stricken out of its declaration of pur pose and “ Christian” substituted. A Methodist bishop withdrew from ■ the movement on this ground. This shows that the purpose of the leaders is to federate all churches, liberal, sacerdotal and evangelical. Unitarians, Christian Scientists, etc., were omitted “ for the present” . 3. The leaders of this movement are not men whom evangelical Christians can safely follow. John R. Mott, whom we have learned to esteem and love for the great work he has done, stands at the head. But John R. Mott at the Edinburgh Missionary Convention co operated with other leaders in the move ment to declare that Roman Catholic
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