The Scripture says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." How true that is! When we know more about the operation of the human mind it helps us to be more sympathetic with poor nerve-wracked humanity. As Jesus looked upon the multitude He was moved with compassion, for there He saw all the pent-up problems of human relationships. To Him that multitude was no mere mass of ill-bred humanity, but a shepherdless flock, and His heart went out to them. Psychology and psychiatry were not part of the medical vocabulary of those days, but our Lord understood all the quirks and twists of human thought, for He knew the working of the human mind. The influences that lead people to do the things they do and say the things they say may be, and often are, far removed from the immediate environment, sometimes going back into childhood and even infancy. The minister or Bible instructor who realizes this is equipped to render far more effective service.
Many subjects were covered during those four intensive days, but the practical nature of it all, together with the fascinating and challenging study accompanying the instruction, gave an environment to the presentations that left no one exhausted in spite of the very heavy daily program.
Articles covering some of the phases of the subjects presented will appear in subsequent issues of THE MINISTRY. Because the importance of this type of instruction to our workers is realized, study is already being given to some plan for further similar councils. The staff of the Harding Sanitarium, in counsel with the Theological Seminary and the Ministerial Association, initiated the planning for this institute. The interesting report of C. E. Wittschiebe, of the Seminary faculty, who was one of those participating, appears on page 17.
It was a privilege to be present, and we are confident that the carry-over of this meeting will reveal itself in an enrichment in every line of pastoral and evangelistic work of those who attended. That conviction is what leads us to hope that this might be the beginning of a series of such institutes. Those who led out were, of course, admirably qualified, and though they are busy doctors, continually responsible for the many patients under their care in the very institution where we were meeting, yet as self-supporting missionaries they gave unstintingly of their time and their talent. And under the blessing of the Lord the whole program was unique, informative, and inspirational.
R. A. A.
The Trend to ToleranceIn the article "Outstanding Religious Trends of 1955" in this issue the statement is made that one of the outstanding trends of our time is tolerance of doctrinal viewpoints. We would not want to go back to the tragic years when intolerance was the order of the day. But there is definite danger when men become so broad in their thinking that they fail to recognize a vital issue.
The Religious News Service brings to our notice a vigorous controversy in one of the Protestant churches of the United States. A certain pastor has recently had to stand trial before his own brethren for his positions on such vital doctrines as the virgin birth, the physical resurrection of our Lord, and other fundamental features of the Christian faith. This man has been found guilty of heresy on five counts.
Denying the authority of the Bible as the Word of God, it is obvious that this pastor has been following certain modernistic trends in his preaching, and the trial board of this particular denomination recommended that he be suspended from his pulpit. But by secret ballot the congregation rejected by a vote of 197 to 18 the trial board's finding and its recommendation, and requested that this man continue as their pastor.
We are not concerned with the merits of this particular case, but it points up something very definite. Had this man's doctrines been found to be in harmony with truth, then we could well understand why the congregation would want to protest his innocence and retain him. But when on five counts out of six it has been proved that his ideas are heretical, then it certainly reflects a strange attitude on the part of the congregation to demand this man's continued service. He has evidently won the hearts of the people, and doubtless his personality is both winsome and persuasive. But after all, that should never become a criterion in an issue of this kind.
One thing is certain: Those vigorous souls who led that branch of the Reformation from which this denomination sprang would never have tolerated such blatant denials of the fundamentals of Christianity. Preaching smooth things is never the attitude of a true reformer. It is as true today as it was in the days of Isaiah the prophet that people can render lip service to truth and yet their hearts be far from God. The prophet was describing a latter day condition when he spoke about a "rebellious people . . . that will not hear the law of the Lord" (Isa 30:9). He pictures the seers and the prophets as those that would be preaching "smooth things" and actually prophesying deceits. And furthermore these false witnesses would be urged by their congregations to depart from the way of truth.
But the Lord said: "This iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare" (verses 13, 14).
In all too many present-day pulpits the living Christ is being rejected for the fables of men. To the question, "Whom will ye that I release unto you?" the cry of the crowd is the echo of the centuries: "Release unto us Barabbas," caring nothing that by such an action the Lord of glory is again crucified and put to an open shame.
As we come closer to the great test of the ages, clarity of the true fundamentals of Christian faith becomes more and more vital. Mere human reasoning is insufficient to determine what is truth. There must be a standard. But when the foundations are removed and the Word of God is denied, then where do men turn for authority?
Discussing some very vital features of Christian conduct and church polity with an outstanding Christian leader of another persuasion recently, we were interested in his observation. His reply to our question revealed his clear grasp of our wonderful heritage. He knew the place that the Spirit of prophecy has in influencing our decisions. He said something like this: "With us it would be a much more difficult question to decide some of these issues than it would be with you people." And we said, "Why?" His reply impressed us:
"You folks have the Bible as your source of Christian doctrine, but on points of church procedure, and even on the interpretation of your points of faith, you can refer to an authority that is recognized by every one of your ministers and members in good and regular standing in your denomination. You have the writings of Ellen G. White, and unless I am mistaken that would become the standard for the settling of an issue of this kind." And as we replied in the affirmative he closed with this remark: "How fortunate you are."
And, fellow workers, we are a fortunate people. The Lord has greatly blessed us by placing in our hands these voluminous counsels, and though these writings are, as this good man said, not the source of our faith, nor even the criterion of our belief, yet in recognizing them as inspired counsels and commentaries on the Word of God, we are of all people most fortunate.
May God make us wise like the house of Jacob, of whom Obadiah the prophet said, ". . . [they' shall possess their possessions."
R. A. A.