CALVINISM AND MODERN THOUGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11520, 3 November 1900, Page 6 (Supplement)

CALVINISM AND MODERN THOUGHT.

In philosophy one of the things which modem speculation, in its loftier types, is bringing out more and more clearly is the conception of the unity of all things in some well-defined sense. The unity must be in a spiritual principle, and hence some definite aspect of monotheism, according to which one spiritual deity is assumed to be at once the ground and source of all else that is. Some even push this view so far as to identify God and the cosmos, and thus incur 'th« danger of setting its face towards the abyss of pantheism, i Here the Calvinistic position of explaining all things from lied is fully in accord with modern thought at this fundamental point. And, further, mo' dern philosophy is more and more convinced that the universe is not running its course by chance, or even by fate; but that there is plan and purpose pervading it everywhere. And, in addition, it is coming to be more and more recognised that there is a far-off goal to which the whole trend of the cosmos seems to be moving on as the ages go by. This the best type of modern philosophy freely confesses, and, from the standpoint of Calvinism, the explanation of it all is that God is foreordaining whatsoever comes to pass, and that his glory is the goal to which all things tend. A second instance may be taken from the realm of modern science. Passing by the fact that modern science is bringing out the law, order, and harmony of nature everywhere, and thus confirming the philosophy alluded to, it also appears that modern science is bringing out and illustrating the principle ol heredity in various respects. It is now well assured, on grounds of science, that between.. different species of living things there are close relations, and especially, that between successive generations of organisms there is very intimate genetic connection. This principle, so exalted by modern science, when applied to tho moral history and condition of the race of mankind is simply the doctrine of sin., as set forth by the Calvinistic theology. Hence, all denials or erroneous explanations of the moral disability which rests on the human race are set aside by modern science, and Calvinism abides as fully up to date at this point. A third instance may be taken from modern sociology and be briefly touched on. Social science at the present day makes much of what it is pleased to call the solidarity of the race. By this it means that between the individuals and the raco there are bonds of connection which bind tho whole social fabric into a unity or organio whole wherein each is dependent on the other and wherein each owes something to the other. Now, this modern sociological view is in harmony with Calvinism. Calvinism, especially when it is coupled with the idea of the federal headship o1 Adam and of Christ, as it usually and naturally is, gives the theological explanation o: the solidarity of the race. There is a race life, and a consequent interdependence oi the individuals of the race", by means of the natural rootship and federal . headship in Adam. And there is a spiritual descent and headship of the subject of renewing grace, by reason of the federal headship of Christian relation to th.<? new race in him.