“The Hope of the World”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 80, 18 March 1935, Page 8

“The Hope of the World”

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Mr H. R. French in calling attention to the opposition offered to Herr Rosenberg’s attempt to weld the German churches into one, in your issue of Thursday last, presents the concision that Christianity is “the one hope of the world. ’’ The courage of those in opposition to Hitler and his satellites in their abnormal aud heathenish patriotism may readily be conceded but what justification for the hope referred to can be derived therefrom? If “the church’’ in Germany suceicded in regaining the position which it occupied in pre-war days, if it, as it were, ‘ advanced’’ backwards to the exaltation which it enjoyed when it patronised the Kaiser, and was in turn patroui* cd by him, what ray of ‘“nope for the world’’ may bo observed in that spectacle ? The fact is that what is usually denominated “Christianity” is a compromise between heathen, philosophy (largely Platonic) and the precepts of Chnst, foisted upon apparently passive communities by so-called bithops acting in ecumenical councils, but who were devoid alike of a knowledge of the truth or Divine inspiration, the fightings and bickerings which characterised those proceedings and the products thereof the “doctrines of demons,” gods of good( iu the unscriptural jingle of phrases defining the Trinity) aud godd of evil (in tke devil and his myrmidons), together with the popular fables of heaven and hell bearing witness to the truth of the indictment. Coming down to our own times more particularly, however, what evidences can be produced that this movement is worthy to be regarded as “the hope of the world”? Its seeds may be taking root among the illiterate inhabitants of foreign lands, unsophisticated in ! ways of civilisation, but where arc the evidences of increasing righteousness and holiness around us which must abound if the claim and hope be justified? There is practically a universal wail about empty “churches” and the problems and anxieties of church finance (largely in the hands of the bankers now, apparently, according to Saturday’s “Dominion”) and some in practical bankruptcy, for did we not read a statement to the effect (paper above mentioned a fortnight previous) that 30 Methodist churches in the Old Country had been eold under the hammer? Some years ago it was reported that “fifty thousand persons spend a fine Sunday on the Thames, and the churches of London, if filled would only hold one-tenth of the known church people of the metropolis, but the majority of the churches are never filled.” Then there is the evidence of the “Christian” attitude during the Great War. What were these stalwarts of Mr French’s picture doing while Germany was showing the world an example in the perpetration of hourors and frightfulnesses in perhaps the most sanguinary and barbarous conflict that has smirched the pages ol history ? They were doing practically the same as the dim and smoky luminaries oi the ecclesiastical firmament weie doing in our own land, exhorting and encouraging a policy which produced the spectacle ot Christians seeking to destroy each other with the utmost celerity and producing sorrowing widows and orphans, leaving tuin in it* tram and the legacy of a burden of debt under which generations to come may be compelled to stagger. Ju addition the church has pandered to the socalled great names of science in adopting evolution as many of the abovementioned luminaries have done, and have logically discarded the Divine plan of redemption and repudiated the word oi God. . Hope in “Christianity” forsooth: Rather save us from the spread of the delusions which it harbours, that we may possess the true Hope which the word of God holds out to us. If the system were what it claims to be it would with one accord denounce those sodomite pci iormanccs with the trumpet tower Mr French mentions at the conclusion of his letter, and it would earn at least the respect ot all reverent and God-fearing people but while it tails, for fear perhaps, that the “crafts” may be in danger of being set at nought to define and emphasise true holiness and righteousness it is neither entitled to be patronised nor regarded as the hope of the world. That theie is a true hope tor that section of mankind found worthy ot Divine favour is one of the plainest of Bible truths. “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go,” Acts 1:11. “He shall send Jesus Christ .... whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution.” Acts 3:20, and His own statement “I will come again,” John 14:3. together with many others of like nature (which the scoffers deny as predicted 2 Pet. 3:4) and abundant detail of the nature and scope of the work He (Christ) will do when He comes, provides an adequate explanation of the reason for the creation of the earth and man, and furnishes a mind-satis-fying “hope” whose possession is one of the conditions of acceptance in that day. Thanking you in anticipation. —Yours, etc. E. J. R. MILNE. I’ukahu, March 18. —