DISPUTED CREED.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12704, 8 November 1935, Page 2

DISPUTED CREED.

FAITH OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. CONTROVERSY AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY. {Press Association A WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. A report presented yesterday to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand by a committee which has been working for some time on a brief statement of the church’s faith gave rise to a debate of some vehemence. The statement, which was presented by the Rev. Principal J. Dickie, D.D., on behalf of the committee, was based to a large extent on a statement- adopted by the Church of Scotland, and was submitted to the assembly for final acceptance. Various Presbyteries have discussed the stafehi'ent and, with the exception of Wanganui, have pronounced favorably upon it. The Rev. John Patterson, of Wanganui. opposing Dr. Dickie, said that the suggested creed was a most dangerous one. He considered that emphasis in it was laid in wrong places. He also objected to the doctrine of sin in the statement. The teaching of this statement'oil man's future destiny, if not dogmatic universalism, went as close to it as was possible and ignored entirely the warning of Jesus as to tlie eternal danger inherent in our attitude and conduct in this life. Tho Rev. Lloyd Wilkinson, of Wanganui, supported Mr Paterson on the ground that nothing would do except that Christ accomplished the act of salvation by His death.

“I speak as a plain man,” said Air J. Sutherland, who recalled that, as an older, he had accepted certain vows, one of which was that..ho expressed bis belief that the Scriptures were the word of God. One of their duties was to preserve the simple Scriptures.” “On that point I condemn that brief statement of faith,” be added. “The brief statement reduces to beggarly subjoctivehess the vital truth.”

Tho Rev. E. T: King, of Taihape, asked what : benefit was to be derived from altering a statement that had served the church faithfully for so many years. It seemed like catering to the mind of the present age, rather than considering tlie great fundamentals. The debate was not finished yesterday, prior business preventing its continuation.