SHORT STATEMENT OF FAITH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4570, 9 November 1935, Page 4

SHORT STATEMENT OF FAITH.

ACCEPTED BY PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. Wellington, November 8. ‘The debate on the Short State-’ ment of the Presbyterian faith, which was begun at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand on Tuesday, was concluded to-day when the document was accepted by an overwhelming majority. The Short Statement is an effort to express the faith of .the church in documentary form in view of the fact that, since the Westminster Confession of Faith was drawn up 300 years ago, thought has moved forward. The Short Statement was issued by the Church of Scotland to meet the new situation. The: New Zealand church sent the statement to various presbyteries for their consideration, and 18 out of 19 gave their approval. Chief criticisms of the Statement came from those who emphasised : the infallibility of the Bible and from the Wanganui Presbytery, where the point at issue was that’ the Statement presented the view that Christ’s work accomplished nothing as far as'God was COneerncdj but was : :merelyla:i%#6Ni%ff °f God with the purpose of changing men. - < The defenders of the Statement pleaded for * f nient which would meet ttye many 'divergent views as long as those views were .consistent with; historical Christianity, and it was contended that some of the objections raised were based on a misunderstanding. It was; also pointed out that the Statement was in no sense binding, but it was commanded to the attention of the church for its guidance. ' "