PROBLEMS OF TO-DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROBLEMS OF TO-DAY

A CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT In these days when so much crudo and uninformed thinking is finding expression and making its appeal it in well that Christian Churches should make written contribution to the thought of the day in clear and accessible form. In an endeavour to stimulate its laymen to purposeful thinking and positive Christian action the publications committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has produced a stimulating study book for the times under the title of "Christ and Tomorrow." Its broad purpose is to rouse and educate the Christian conscience on the urgent economic problems of the day. The book consists of ft dozen studies by some of the most capable ministers of tho church, and they deal in thor-ough-going fashion with such subjects as the nature of tho Christian faith and of tho Church, Fascism, Communism, marriage, the relation ~of church and state, peace and war, and the defects of the present social order. The writers are for the most part well-in-formed students who have almost all had personal experience of other parts of the world than this Dominion, and what they have to say will not only add to the information of the most intelligent layman but is calculated to provoke him to further thought and study along the lines that are opened up. Some are obviously much safer guides than others, but even where it is impossible to agree, as it sometimes is, with their hasty dogmatism the views expressed may well serve as a starting point for discussion. The editor of the book, Dr. J. D. Salmond, has left the contributors unrestricted, and has clearly succeeded in his threo-foid aim of providing "instruction on the teaching of the Reformed Church concerning tho Christian faith and the Christian church, reliable information about the systems of thought and action active and vital in the world to-day, and definite suggestions for positive Christian action at Home and abroad in the light of present needs." It is intended that the book, which consists of less than 100 pages, should not only be read by individuals but should be tho subject of organised study by adult groups, and it is well designed for this purpose. " Christ and To-morrow," a study book for the times, edited by Dr. J. D. Salmond. (Published by the Presbyterian Bookroom, Christchurch.)