Full Text for The Rise of Liberal Theology in Congregationalism (Text)
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IV
According to the Congregational principle: "Fellowship in
common thinking and common aspirations," these modern Liberals
were united not by a set of theological propositions, but only by
their common approach to theology. The Modernist's approach to
theology has been analyzed by Aubrey as being historical and con-
structive. Accordingly the Modernist first attempts to recapture
the religious experiences out of which the classic doctrines of
Christianity arose. Doctrines are studied only in so far as the~
might have functional value ror modern huri1an life. ThereforE
the Modernist secondly seeks to find the social patterns of moden.
life which are equivalent to former social patterns. While the
Cross meant the reconciliation between God and man in Paul's
time, today it signifies man's adjustment under difficulties in the
cosmic environment.58) The Modernist claims that his approach
to theology has made him very tolerant of other men's views; that
he is is willing to check his findings; that he is interested only in
method, not so much in finding absolute solutions. In reality, how-
ever, the Modernist has shown himself very intolerant of any views
which are opposed to his method. Yes, he is tolerant, but only
within the sphere of his theological investigation, a sphere which
55) Gaius G. Atkins, The Procession of the Gods, and Edward S.
Ames, Biography of the Gods, are written from this viewpoint. The
entire theory is so akin to HUHlanism that one can hardly consider
advocates of this school as theists. The school is so radical that it has
largely lost its influence. But the fact remains that the idea of an
evolution of religion is still quite current, though some excellent studies,
particularly those of G. Schmidt, have shown that the position which
these men had occu.pied is impossible~ S. Z\!!/emer, The O'i~gin. oj Re-
ligion, is a popular refutation of the principle of this school.
56) The modernistic spirit was, of course, evident at this time also
in other denominations, e. g., William N. Clarke and Walter Rauschen-
busch in the Baptist Church, Charles Briggs in the Presbyterian Church.
57) W. Walker, --~:.~'-1ges in -'-H'CV'-Ogy Among American Congrega-
tionalists," Journal of Religion, X, pp.204-218.
58) ":"ubrey, E. E., op. cit., pp. 25 ft.
B 6 6 Increasing Lay Interest in Christian Literature
has been arbitrarily but definitely circumscribed by subjective
prejudice.
And yet the Modernist has a creed. True, it is chiefly negative,
consisting in denials of Christian truths; nevertheless it is a creed.
It may be summarized as follows : 1) The Bible a human record
of religious experiences; 2) the Divine Immanence; 3) evolution
in religious, moral, and social institutions; 4) the fatherhood of
God and the brotherhood of man; 5) the Christ of experience,
not the Christ of history; 6) the moral-influence theory of the
Atonement; 7) the social gospel; 8) the Kingdom of God a this-
worldly kingdom. Where these principles have been accepted,
Christianity has been eliminated. 59)
Thus Congregationalism has exerted an influence in American
theology out of proportion to its numerical strength. It has fur-
nished a relatively larger number of significant theologians than any
other denomination. The reason for this is, no doubt, that from
Robert Browne (ca. 1580), John Robinson (ca. 1600), William
Brewster (1620) down to Lyman Abbott Congregationalists have
been "seekers." Instead of being bound by cr eeds the Congr ega-
tional churches believe "that their contribution to Christianity is
that they meet today's needs in today's way by today's unfettered
judgment." 60) Congregationalism encourages a spirit of adventure,
grants utmost liberty to its followers, and thereby attracts and en-
courages such scholars as glory in their wisdom. The great con-
tribution of the Lutheran theologian is that, keeping his reason
captive in obedience to God's Word, he proclaims nothing but "the
faith once delivered to the saints." Jude 3. F. E. MAYER
Increasing Lay Interest in Christian Literature
Ink in the Service of the Church
If you were to make a trip to the historic Wartburg, where
Luther translated the New Testament into German, the guide
would draw your attention to an inkspot on the wall. This inkspot,
you would be told, was made when Luther hurled his inkwell at
the devil.
There is a legend that ever since that time, more than 400 years
ago, the devil has been afraid of ink. And well he might be, for
ii was the ink of the printer which in the days of the Reformation
and throughout succeeding years proclaimed the day of doom for
Satan's empire and the day of grace for all mankind.
59) In 1913 the National Council of Congregational Churches issued
a statement of faith, which while employing Scriptural terminology is
so vague that it is virtually meaningless. Fagley, op. cit., pp. 61-66.
60) Christian Century, July 6, 1938, p. 841.