ANGLICAN DOCTRINES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1934, Page 4

ANGLICAN DOCTRINES

MANIFESTO AGAINST MODERNISM LONDON, July 26. Sir Raymond Beazley, Professor of History in Birmingham University, lliis been instrumental in preparing a widely supported rejoinder to the modernist views of Christian doctrine expressed by the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr Barnes. Associated with Sir Raymond are Canon G. H. N. Tredennick and Canon C. Newell Long. Members of the clergy and laity ot the diocese of Birmingham of both the Evangelical and Anglo-Catholic schools of thought have signed the manifesto, which runs as follows: In reference to certain recent events, writings and utterances affecting the position and creed of the Church of England, we express our convictions that: Modern critical study has emphatically confirmed the mstoric value of the Gospels. The main stream of the Christian Church (including the Church of Englanu) has unwaveringly put its trust in the uospel records, as objectively true, and has considered them fundamental to all Christian belief. These Gospel records are tne chief bases of the Christian creeds, especially of the so-called Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. These two creeds stand on a higher footing than any other, make greater claims, and may be called the most catholic or universal confessions of Christian faith. In the historic Christian Church belief has been unwaveringly required in the leading events of Christ’s life as recorded in the Gospels and the Creeds. Among such leading events none are more fundamental than the Incarnation and the Resurrection of Christ, as recorded in the Gospels. Within the historic Church such matters as the Incarnation and Resurrection of Christ —the Virgin Birth and the bodily Resurrection — are not to be explained away as legends, fancies, poems, and so forth. Such an attitude, natural perhaps to those who reject Christianity, is ruinous to the historic Christian Faith. The same, also, applies to the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. This we believe to be vitally embedded in all the Gospels, as in all the New Testament writings. And it is emphasised, with great care (and with express reference to famous attempts 'it the modification, minimising, or denial of this doctrine) in the Nicene Creed.