CHURCH WITNESSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27570, 12 December 1950, Page 8

CHURCH WITNESSES

Sir,—“ Christadelphian’s ” challenge to me to meet him in public. debate was based on his claim .that I had lauded ■the laity of the Roman Catholic Church as being always more ready and willing than other churches to contact others in the community and to let their light shine among the general public. As I did not make any such statement, it became obvious that •* Christadeiphian ” read my first letter wrongly. It stands all to his credit, however, that when brought face to face with the main point of that letter —radio broadcasts—he has shown himself prepared to discuss it. Like myself, he feels that it would allow the public to hear all sides of the question and decide for themselves. If “ Christadeiphian ” feels that he has a stronger claim than the Roman Catholic Church to being the true Church, then should it not be over the radio that one would expect him to •want to pass these convictions on to the public? I do not agree with " Christadeiphian ” that under denominational broadcasts the radio would become a platform of endless debate, for, as stated previously, the public would be the judge. The very fact that the great majority of Protestant* with strong Christian leanings are today non-churchgoers is proof in itself that these people have for some considerable time been using their discretion on these matters. The Roman Catholic Church is doing all in its power to give to these people a lead. Over the radio she puts forth her claim to being the one true Church, and expounds the substance of her doctrines. Station 4XD, at 6.30 each Wednesday evening, is at least one proof of that. Should she be criticised or applauded for what she is doing?—l am, etc.. Observer. Sir,—When “ Observer ” declined the invitation to his proposed public debate, the aggressive eye of “ Christadeiphian failed to discern the charity extended to him. The Bible gives well-defined doctrines, and specifies the true Church as one keeping God’s Commandments, which He wrote with His own finger, thus denying to man the right to change any part thereof. During the fourth century the Roman'.-, Catholic Church transferred the .solemnity...... Of ■'■'the'*’ seventh day' of the 'week' to - j first day, a transfer for which there is •' no scriptural authority, and by doing so, H departed from the Bible doctrines. By \ accepting and obeying the practice of the Roman Catholic Church in this respect, . the Christadeiphian Church also apostasises and becomes the adopted daughter of that church, and pays her homage : despite herself. Both churches accept some of tlie defined Bible doctrines and reject the rest of them. By such re- * jection, the .churches nullify their claims to be the true Church. The Roman Catholic. Church adheres to her claims that unless she was such she „ could not have done what Protestantism -A agrees she has done, namely, transferred the sacredness of the seventh to the first day of the week. It takes little imagination to perceive the fiasco for “ Christadeiphian ” should a public or a broadcast . debate on this subject eventuate. Because of differences between proclaimed dogmas and actual practices, the leaders of the popular churches are hostile to denominational broadcasts, fearing an exposure of inconsistency.—l am, etc.. Justice.