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B u s i n e s s
February 1928
simply to assist the weak and needy through charity and education. The Bible goes to the root o f all social prob lems in pointing out that “all have SINNED and come short o f the glory o f God.” The Christian message is that “ other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” God says that no man can be what he should or do what he should until he is “ born from above.” In all o f the programs concerning which Mr. Stetzle writes, no gospel, no Bible and no Christ is needed. Soci ology can live just as well in the atmosphere of Atheistic evolution. The feeding and clothing and comforting o f the needy is work that should be done by Christians in the name o f Christ, but to relieve physical needs and leave men in the bondage of sin, ignorant o f the only power by which they may rise, is anything but Christianity. What has the Church to do with social service that does not go hand in hand with evangelical efforts? Per haps the Church has too often failed in practical service, yet those most actively engaged in relieving distress in this world have usually been connected with evangelical organ izations. Mr. Stetzle says 1,000 prominent social workers have been interviewed and 90 per cent o f them have turned down the Church because leaders are indifferent to their programs. But is that anything to worry about ? Does that indicate the failure o f the Church? How many of these sociologists begin by discounting the Bible, the blood of Christ and the plan of salvation? W e may admire their sympathy for the suffering, but can we join forces with those who reject God’s plan and His one remedy for sin ? The ■Church must get its per spective from the Bible and Christ. The work o f the Church is Christian work, not social service.- We know that the world’s philosophers cannot point to a single ex ample where their methods have resulted in the permanent solution of the social problem. We know that the Gospel is still “ the power o f God unto salvation,” and that our commission is to preach it to all men and follow in the steps of Him “ who went about doing good.” If the Church is not growing, the explanation is to be found in its loss of grip upon the Bible and passion for souls, rather than indifference to the world’s schemes of social betterment. W e are not expecting any “ social re generation” except as individuals are born again through the power o f a crucified and risen Redeemer.
upon some of the fringes o f truth. One may tell his neighbor nothing but what is true and yet come short o f giving him the saving truth. W e hear lawyers say of witnesses in court : “ I could not get the truth out o f him.” They do not mean that the witness has lied, but that he would not go far enough. Men must be told that they are sinners and lost. Have we gone that far? They must be told that “ without the shedding o f blood there is no remission.” Have we ven tured to say that ? And “ no man cometh to the Father but by Jesus Christ.” Have we delivered our souls of that truth? W e cannot be faithful to souls without being clean-cut on the essential things. Nothing is more dangerous than half truth. W e must not camouflage. W e must not declare simply stich portions o f truth as will bring no o f fense to the natural man. The preacher who slips easily along by this method will find that he is not pure from the blood of men. Let every Christian witness remember the exhortation given Jeremiah: “ Speak all the words that I command thee to speak unto them ; diminish not a word.” What Is Our Task Anyway? T HE Literary Digest, a few weeks ago, gave consider able space to an article purporting to show that Protestantism is weakening. Rev. Charles Stetzle, a Presbyterian minister and sociologist, was quoted at some length, the sum and substance of his explanation for the slowing up in church growth in America being that it had failed to .take the right attitude toward outstanding social, economic and religious questions. “ It is at this point,” says Mr. Stetzle, “ that the Church is weakest in its relationship to human society, whereas, as a matter of fact, it should be strongest and most influ ential. In other words, its authority as an interpreter of religion is being questioned by outside organizations which claim to be working upon a religious basis, as well as by individuals who, having accepted the principals which it teaches, fail to identify themselves with the institution which is supposed to be the chief promoter of religion.” He declares that millions o f men and women not con nected with the Church, having “ the spirit o f religion” in their hearts, are working through other organizations, which are outdoing the Church in their activities toward improving living conditions. The social service movements are taken up entirely with symptoms. They do not go after the disease. They do the best they can, and many of their efforts are worthy, even if built upon an entirely wrong foundation. It is natural that these social service workers should condemn the Church for not accepting their viewpoint. They forget that the Church has a social program of its own, laid down by Jesus Christ Himself. It is not concerned primarily with symptoms, but its commission is to deal with causes, and the Gospel is the only remedy recommended. Why do men go wrong, and what is the disease that expresses itself in so many distressing symptoms? God Himself has answered the question and warned us that He alone dispenses the remedy. Man’s answer to the ques tion is o f little value because based upon self-justification and human sufficiency. The social reformer likes to think that “ the lift of every man’s heart is upward.” He thinks that his task is.
Legal Form of Bequest I give and bequeath to Bible Institute of Los Angeles, incorporated under the laws of the State of California____________________ -----------------------------------------------------Dollars, and I direct the release of the President of the Board of Directors of said Bible Institute of Los Angeles shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors in the premises. [Seal]______________________ _____________
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