THE MODERATOR’S ADDRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 21

THE MODERATOR’S ADDRESS

TO [HE EDITOR Sir, —At the beginning of his address at the Presbyterian General Assembly, as reported in your paper yesterday, the Rev. T. H. Roseveare appears to be on the side of the Reformation, the revival in England under John Wesley, and other evangelical movements. But when we arrive at the middle of his address we find that he is on the opposite side! The secret of the power of the fine men he eulogises lay in this, that they believed that the whole Bible came from God They knew that the Bible was indeed “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians vi, 17). And they knew how to wield this perfect sword. Therefore, they had a message for the people. They never thought of trying to hack their sword to pieces before entering the fight! On the other hand, the moderator is a higher critic, for he says: “ While they welcomed new truth, let them not suppose that the old was altogether to be discarded." Indeed! That explains why his address is so disappointing and confusing. He is trying “ to hold with the hare and run with the hounds.” All the modernist ministers are obliged to play that double game! What is the so-called “new truth ” that Mr Roseveare welcomes, and what is the so-called “ old ” that is to be discarded? This is what we read near the beginning of the Bible: “Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy iv: 2. See also Deuteronomy xii; 32.) Now we come to the middle of the Bible: “ Every word of God is pure (Hebrew, purified). He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs xxx: 5,6.) The following verses in the last chapter of the Bible clinch the whole; “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.” (Revelation xxii: 18-20.)—1 am. etc., November 19. Maran-atha.