| News and Views | May 1945 |
The Church in a Changing World
RECENTLY, in the Toronto, (Canada) Globe and Mail, the Right Reverend R.J. Renison, Bishop of the Anglican (Episcopal) Church, published an article headed, “The Christian Church in Days Like These.” It is an interesting revelation of the state of mind of a highly placed churchman faced with the reality of a lost cause—the cause of the professed Christian church.
It may be interesting to consider Bishop Renison’s thoughts statement by statement, not only for their intrinsic interest, but for their revelation of honest appraisal of the church’s present position in the face of world-shaking events. We note his refusal to evade reality and plain issues. Bishop Renison commences his article:
“As the war goes on to its bitter end, it becomes more and more evident that it will be difficult for the Christian church to carry out the great ideals which have been the dynamic force in this world revolution …”
“The great ideals which have been the driving force behind this world revolution” is an illuminating statement. The worthy bishop is prepared to admit that the war which began in 1939 is more than a struggle between nations for supremacy. It is, he claims, a world revolution. A revolution means a “turning over,”—a change from a condition considered bad to one that promises something better. From this standpoint the global war, then, becomes a world revolution. The Bible uses the term, “earthquake,” as illustrative of revolution, upheaval, internal disintegration. Continues the bishop:
“The romance of church history as we read it in the days of our childhood was seen in the pictures of the early Christian martyrs who gladly died rather than offer incense to the emperor of that hard pagan world of Rome. It becomes plain that as long as Christians were in a minority and were persecuted, despised and maligned their cause was plain. But when in the days of Constantine the church became the official organization of the Roman Empire there began a great compromise which has not ended even to the present day. In the words of a cynic, ‘The priest blessed the soldier and the soldier protected the priest’—at a price.”
Here is a candid admission that the Christian church, as today constituted, stems from a political compromise proposed by a heathen monarch and connived at by the religionists of the day for power and prestige. Neander’s Church History, Vol. 3, discusses the situation of the church of Constantine’s day in great detail. In the fourth century the church was torn with internal dissension, with the more powerful centers of the faith striving to establish themselves as the supreme arbiters in all matters of faith and doctrine. Rome was the most arrogant in her claims to recognition, and the church at Rome had, in the Emperor Constantine, one who not only recognized the growing influence of Christianity as a religion in opposition to the heathen religions of the day, but was prepared to give it some measure of support, on a quid pro quo basis. Says Neander:
“Constantine, in the year 308 A.D., gave public thanks in a temple of Apollo and presented a magnificent offering to the god. … Constantine still professed an attachment to the old heathen ceremonies. … It was not until after his victory over Maxentius (who had seized sovereignty in Italy and North Africa) that Constantine publicly declared in favour of the Christians. … The conversion, as it is called, of the Roman emperor, such as it really was, could in no wise possess the same significance in the sight of God, who respecteth not the person, but looks upon the heart alone, as an acceptable sacrifice. … In this particular way it is scarcely possible to conceive that a change of heart, which is the only change that deserves to be called conversion, could have been wrought. … Although Constantine had manifested in many ways a disposition to promote the Christian form of worship, yet, even down to the year 317, we find marks of the pagan state-religion upon the Imperial coins. … Constantine must have been conscious that he was striving, not for the cause of God, but for the gratification of his own ambition and love of power.”
Then, in 325 A.D., the Council of Nicea convened at which time the heads of the various branches of the church laid down a code of belief, a creed (still incorporated into the ritual of many churches), and Constantine placed his seal of approval on it. He dominated, as head of the civil power, the final findings of the Council, and threw the weight of state authority on the side of the Bishop of Rome, constituting the Roman church the leading power among the churches. Neander continues:
“It must appear surprising that Constantine, although he exhibited so much zeal for all the concerns of the church, although he took part in the transactions of a council assembled to discuss matters of controversy, had never as yet received baptism; that he continued to remain outside the pale of the community of believers … though already sixty-four years of age. … It is probable that, carrying his heathen superstition into Christianity, he looked upon baptism as a sort of rite for the magical removal of sin, and so delayed it, in the confidence that he might yet, in the end, enter into bliss, purified from all his sins.”
This, then, is the man who directed and influenced the deliberations at Nicea, from which came the Nicene Creed, the foundation of the belief still taught today in the so-called Christian church, and a bulwark of the very church of which Bishop Renison is a member and ardent supporter.
The bishop speaks of “a great compromise” still continuing. And he is right. The great institutions called the Christian church today, blessed in some countries by the state, and sometimes held up to respect as the only source of spiritual guidance, found their inception in the political expediency of a heathen emperor. They have not had God’s approval and blessing. The bishop continues his article:
“There is a popular heresy that Christianity was never intended to be literally and universally adopted by the inhabitants of this world. Some think that the teaching of Jesus is too high for our human hearts, and that the only way to preserve the Gospel of Christ in our modern world is for the church to go underground as it did in the days of the catacombs, and as it has been forced to do in many European countries during the last five years. In other words, should Christianity deliberately and finally resign from world politics and follow the Master into the wilderness, even to crucifixion?”
A “popular heresy” says the bishop. And yet Christ, the Founder of the Christian faith, and His faithful apostles, on whose writings we rely for an exposition of that faith and an understanding of its application to Christian living, spent much time in explaining that the teachings of Christ were intended primarily only for a select class, who were being chosen “out of the world” for a special purpose—to become the bride of Christ. This class, both Christ and the apostles show, constitute the true church. The entire Gospel Age—the period from Christ to now—has been set apart for the finding of these faithful ones who were willing to follow the Master into the wilderness, even to crucifixion! The answer, then, to Bishop Renison’s question is, Yes! The true Church does not mix with world politics. “Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,” Jesus said to His faithful disciples—“Take up your cross, and follow me.”—John 15:19; 17:16; Matt. 16:24
At Pentecost the true church went “underground” in the sense of taking a course of separation from the world. Jesus said to His followers, “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” and this has been true of every faithful follower of the Master. But zealous Christians do not remain “underground” in so far as their activity is concerned. No, they are like a city set on a hill which cannot be hid. (Matt. 5:14) This is because they are ambassadors of Christ and zealously sacrifice their all to proclaim the Gospel of His Kingdom. But the bishop becomes still more frank in his article. He continues:
“There are many things happening at this hour that make us see that even the Christian nations are only nominally Christian. When we read of the brave new world which we intend to build out of the old materials to be found in nations, many of which have only a distorted picture of Christ, it becomes clear that as victory draws near the question of revenge dominates our thinking. What shall we do with the 80,000,000 Germans and an equal number of the Japanese? The wild talk about nations who are only beasts is surely contrary to the spirit of Christ, who died for all mankind. Perhaps the greatest lesson we have to learn is that the teaching of Jesus is for the individual.”
Is it not refreshing in this age when blind prejudice seems to be the directing motive in all human affairs, to find one churchman, at least, who can see, even partially, what is wrong with both the church and the world? “Christian nations,” he says, “are only nominally Christian.” Unfortunately, the same is true also of the so-called Christian church. Bishop Renison can’t have it both ways. The church cannot be used as a recruiting ground and prime mover in all enterprises to help war, and not assume some part of the responsibility for the doctrine of hate which he deplores. The nominal church is largely the cause of the “distorted picture of Christ” which blinds people to the truth of God’s Word, as well as the general lack of knowledge and interest in the fact that “Christ … died for all mankind.”
That Christendom is Christ’s Kingdom is a myth. There is no such thing today as a Christian nation. Some may be called by His name, but there is no flesh on the bones, no spirit of righteousness in the nations claiming the name of Christ. The world is not divided into three or four nations doing the work of Christ, opposed to another group of nations doing the work of Antichrist. The Prince of Peace is not on either side in the global struggle. No nation is following Christ’s precepts or His example—they all fight with carnal weapons. We agree with the bishop when he says they are Christian in name only.
“Perhaps the greatest lesson we have to learn is that the teaching of Jesus is intended for the individual,” states the bishop. It is remarkable that he can see this so clearly and yet fail to see also its implication. Christianity is, indeed, a personal matter. The Apostle Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1) This call to consecration is an individual call, and was not addressed to an indiscriminate mass of humanity over which the nominal church has thrown a cloak of “Christian” respectability by designating them “Christian nations.” Further says the bishop:
“If Christianity means anything, it teaches that there is something precious in human life, and that no conqueror has a right on any pretext to blot out millions of lives, including women and children, who are personally innocent of crime. Let us not evade the issue … Perhaps the Gospel of Jesus Christ is personally dangerous to states, but it is our personal faith that Christianity should not resign from the world. That is the counsel of despair. It would seem that the church of the Prince of Peace should take part in all the undertakings of humanity, but should continue to protest for the ideals which are greater than human laws.”
“Something precious in human life”? The entire Bible, the Word of God, was written to make sure that we might come to know just how precious in the sight of the Creator is human life; so precious, in fact, that “He gave. His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The unfortunate fact is that “the world by wisdom knew not God”—by the wisdom of half-truths, evasions, submersion of facts, substitute religions, easy ways to salvation. God laid down an inviolate rule of action for anyone who wanted life, for all are condemned to death in the sin of Adam—“there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:10) That way was the way of sacrifice, the discarding of the rule of selfishness —“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, … soul, … mind, … and strength;” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”—Mark 12:30,31
The way of “this present evil world” is the way of death. (Gal. 1:4) The Prince of Peace is not ruling over the affairs of men yet. That rule is still to come. Today “the whole world lies under the Evil One.” (I John 5:19, Diaglott) Christ said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” (John 14:30) Addressing the Ephesians, Paul says, “In time past ye walked according to the cause of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2) “The heavens and the earth, which are now, … are … reserved unto … the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men,” writes the Apostle Peter.—II Peter 3:7
“Perhaps the Gospel of Jesus Christ is personally dangerous to states,” writes the bishop. It is in the sense that a whole-hearted acceptance of its principles would virtually destroy every humanly constituted state in this present evil world. For a state to profess acceptance and obedience to the Gospel by taking the name Christian and allying with the church, brings condemnation. Forecasting this condemnation and resulting punishment upon the “city” of Christendom, the Lord said,
“For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by My name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore prophesy against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter His voice from His holy habitation; He shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, He shall plead with all flesh; He will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.”—Jer. 25:29-31
Yes, the Lord has a “controversy” with the nations, particularly those which have taken His name and professed to represent Him. Ere that controversy is over the “kingdoms of this world”—for such, and only such they verily are—shall all have been “given to the sword,” that is, destroyed. The Prophet Daniel’s graphic picture of their destruction states that in the end “no place” is found for them. (Dan. 2:35) This has already become true of many of the exiled “divine right” kings as evidenced by the failure to have them returned to their positions of rulership.
When all the ungodly nations are finally dispossessed, and when the ruler of this “present evil world”—the Prince of Evil—is finally restrained, then there will be established a genuine “Christendom,” a real Kingdom of Christ. Then nations which obey the Kingdom laws will be truly blessed. Describing these as “mountains” and “hills,” the prophet writes, “The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills by righteousness,”—that is, by obeying the righteous laws of Christ’s Kingdom.
“It would seem that the church … should take part in all the undertakings of humanity,” says the bishop. Thank God that that arrangement is in, God’s plan, and will soon be a fact! The glorified church, the bride of Christ, whose preparation has consumed the past nineteen hundred years, will, when complete with her Lord and Head, take power and reign. All human affairs will then come under that beneficent control.
Today, the world which “by wisdom knew not God,” and which would not “endure sound doctrine,” “heaping to itself teachers, having itching ears” and desiring only half-truths, comfortable religion, and little or no personal responsibility, is reaping the whirlwind, having sown the wind. (Hosea 8:7) “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth,” is the declaration of Jesus concerning the closing scenes of the world’s social conditions; for the world has ignored the requirements which He laid down as the only way of obtaining “life and … abundance.” (John 10:10, Diaglott) Its destruction is self-induced and considerably self-inflicted. Concluding the article, the bishop says:
“The power of Christ can move only through the conscience of individual men and women. His empire will not come by mass legislation. The history of the world is a drama being played out in the human soul, and the fate of humanity depends on us.”
The Kingdom of Christ will not come, thank God, through mass legislation. Its coming is directed by a far greater power than that inherent in men’s fickle minds. Its setting up in the earth will not depend on the unstable whims of selfish power-seekers. It is inexorable; and around us today, throughout the whole world, are the signs that Christ told His disciples to look for when, they asked Him, “What shall be the sign of Thy presence, and of the end of the age?”—Matthew 24:3
Individuals, not nations, are today getting ready for the setting up of that Kingdom. Individuals alone are moved by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Individuals alone are the footstep followers of Christ in this day and age. Legislation such as man is capable of effecting, social security, state medicine, state insurance, compulsory education and all the rest can never bring in Christ’s Kingdom. That is the work of another age and by a government which shall be built by God on the ruins of all earthly governments.
Assuredly the fate of humanity depends on the truly consecrated church class, not on the feeble efforts of Christians now, however, but upon the glorified Christ, Head and body. (Romans 8:22,19) The great mistake the bishop makes is in supposing that the true church is the one he represents the Anglican Church, the Church of England. The Rev. Ramsey Armitage, principal of Wycliffe College, one of Canada’s leading theological seminaries, says:
“Humanism has failed. There is no answer to life, no solution of its problems, no victory and no peace, without God.”