| Highlights of Dawn | June 1952 |
Religion in the News
LATE last year President Truman announced the appointment of General Mark Clark as ambassador to the Holy See. The recent action of Congress to withhold an appropriation for the cost of such an ambassador until approved by the Senate has helped to keep alive the controversy touched off by that appointment. There was rejoicing and chagrin over this appointment. The Catholics on the whole were happy about it; but the Protestant churches of America rose up in unison to block the appointment, which seemingly they have succeeded in doing, at least temporarily.
The reason Baptist Truman gave for making this appointment was that in the fight against communism the United States needed the inside information which the Vatican could supply through an ambassador. Protestants were quick to point out that if the Catholic Church were sincere in its desire to work with America in fighting communism she would make this information available anyway.
Besides, if the Vatican possesses information concerning developments behind the Iron Curtain which cannot be acquired through regular diplomatic channels, it means that her clergy are acting as spies, therefore communist governments are justified in arresting and imprisoning them. The great emphasis placed upon the information possessed by the Vatican did not lessen the tension of the Catholic position behind the Iron Curtain.
Spokesmen for the Protestant churches point out that probably the Catholic Church would not be so valuable an ally in fighting communism as some might think. They remind us that communism has made its greatest gains in countries which were almost wholly Catholic. Even in Italy the communists are surprisingly strong. “A grim fight is shaping up in Italy,” one reporter writes, “with Rome as the major prize.” This fight is in connection with the municipal elections held this spring. Fear has been expressed that the communists may poll a majority of the votes right in the “Eternal City” itself.
There are a number of reasons why communism is more widely accepted in Catholic countries than where Protestantism prevails. In most Catholic countries the church owns and controls much of the land, and the peasants who work these lands for the church get little out of their labor for themselves—just a mere existence, and a very low standard of existence at that. To people thus down trodden the communist appeal is very strong. The gold, silver, precious stones, and other fabulous wealth held at the Vatican, and possessed in varying lesser degrees by the clergy in general, is in sharp contrast to the poverty of the masses. This also produces fertile ground in which the communists can plant their seeds of revolution.
It would seem, then, that the Protestants have a good point when they emphasize that Catholicism hasn’t done so well fighting communism in its own backyard. Just how much weight will be given to these arguments, if and when the Vatican ambassador issue is brought onto the Senate floor to be decided, is difficult to say. There is a desire on the part of all anti-communist forces to work together and thus present a solid front against what they all consider to be so sinister. But will the lawmakers in Washington risk such a bold move as this merely to secure some doubtful help in fighting the common enemy? It remains to be seen.
Basically this issue is one of church-state union, to which the government of the United States is allegedly opposed. To send an ambassador to the Vatican might well be a step in the direction of breaking down this principle of American government—at least, so the Protestants fear. The evils of church-state government by which Europe was ruled for centuries are too well known by the liberty loving Protestants of this country to let pass unchallenged any proposal which might even indirectly help this ungodly creature to rear its ugly head in America. For this we cannot blame them.
The Bible also condemns church-state governments, because they are usually corrupt and oppressive, and particularly because they are a counterfeit of the kingdom of Christ. The Scriptures represent the true church of Christ as being made up of those who are called out from the world to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They are promised that if faithful to their calling—faithful even unto death—they will be rewarded with the honor of reigning with Christ in his thousand-year kingdom.
For the church to unite with the state, and thus attempt to reign now, is described in the Bible as harlotry—spiritual harlotry. The church which does this is therefore designated as unchaste, unholy, and an abomination to the Lord. “Babylon” is one of the names given to this counterfeit kingdom arrangement, and the Lord’s true people are invited to come out of Babylon, and thus escape the plagues which are now coming upon her, and which will ultimately destroy her. See Revelation, chapter 18.
From Catholic Spain
GOOD feeling between Catholics and Protestants the world over was somewhat strained by a statement made by Cardinal Segura, Archbishop of Seville. It was considered especially uncalled for just at a time when the Spanish government is expecting so much help from America. The Cardinal said:
“Ever since 1945, when the Spanish government authorized the opening of certain Protestant churches in this country, Protestant propaganda has considerably increased, and it has been tolerated to a far greater extent than is permissible in keeping with the … spirit of the charter of the Spanish people.”
The Cardinal also explained that a spirit of “benevolence” had arisen in Spain toward Protestants as a result of the great sympathy that was aroused toward England by the death of King George. He expressed fear that under the pretext of politics “concessions gravely prejudicial to religion may be made.” Statements of this sort by a Spanish Cardinal, following closely the reports of some who had visited Spain to find out, if they could, how the Protestants really fare there, has stirred up a lot of animosity.
It was to be expected that Protestant leaders in America would speak out against the sentiments expressed by Segura, but the criticism didn’t end there. Many American Catholics were also incensed. One of these was the editor of the Indiana Catholic and Record. He wrote:
“If the surprising remarks of the Spanish Cardinal Segura have been reported accurately, they are sure to strain the charitable efforts of Americans—Catholic as well as Protestant—to understand the Spanish mentality. … It seems to us that Cardinal Segura, Dictator Franco, and others in Spain should take a look at their history books. Not only could they discover that the Protestant revolt actually did happen and had rather considerable repercussions all over the world, but they might also notice that any persecution—short of extermination—has invariably strengthened the persecuted religion in the long run. Catholics should be the last to forget.
“Protestantism is the wrong dragon today. Any lances that can be spared from the anti-communist battle had better be tossed at other targets than Protestantism. A second lesson from current history might be derived from a comparison of the vitality and vigor of American Catholicism flourishing in a Protestant stronghold with the protected and over-advertised brand of Catholicism in Spain.
“To some these remarks may smack of religious jingoism, but we feel it is past time for American Catholics to be relieved from the oppressive burden of our Spanish brethren. We have spent weary hours cleaning up the blood the Spaniards overzealously spilt in the Inquisition. If they wish to call the cops on the Protestants four centuries late, they can take the blame themselves.”
Time magazine states “that Cardinal Segura speaks for the oldest tradition of the Spanish church—one that has come down the years with stubborn strength since the power of the Moors was broken in the thirteenth century.” It is rather convenient to speak of the “Spanish” church and its age-old tradition. Actually, however, this church received its “tradition” from Rome, a tradition which is little or no different today than in the days of the “Holy Inquisition.”
Even the editor of the Indiana Catholic and Record is careful not to condemn this tradition. All he condemns is the untimely application of its principles by the Spanish Cardinal. “Protestantism is the wrong dragon today,” he says, implying that it was the right one in the past, and may again be in the future. It is only because the Catholic Church in America would like to have Protestants believe that she is ever, always, and in all places tolerant of other faiths, that the pronouncement of the Spanish Cardinal made so many Catholic faces red in this country. If they are aggressive enough in their denouncement of Segura, they may make some believe that the policy of the Catholic Church is one of tolerance and liberality, and that the outburst of intolerance on the part of Segura, while unfortunate, was merely his own personal idea, and did not reflect the view of the church in general toward other faiths.
To those who know the plan of God, however, it makes little difference how much the various factions of Christendom condemn one another. We know that the Lord is permitting this conflict of interest in the great counterfeit systems of the earth in order to reveal the need for his rule of justice and righteousness. And we know that his kingdom is near, and that with its full establishment there will be turned to the people a “pure language” or message, enabling them to understand the Lord and to serve him in freedom and in love. It is for this kingdom that we continue to pray.
Clergy Shortage in England
THE Church of England reports a serious shortage of clergymen, and that many of its churches are without ministers. Bishop Bell of Chichester recently revealed that the church “requires at least two hundred more men than it has been getting in every year.” He added that “unless the number of them that offer themselves for ordination is immensely and immediately increased, thousands of our parishes as they at present exist will before long have neither bishop, vicar, nor curate.”
The statistics relating to Church of England ministers are very interesting. In 1914 there were twenty thousand clergymen to staff the church’s twelve thousand parishes; last year there were only fifteen thousand. Anglican bishops ordained 610 deacons in 1914, only 411 in 1951. In Manchester, the type of big industrial center where the Church of England is ordinarily the weakest, the number of curates dropped from 161 in 1938, to 45 four years ago.
As to why a ministerial career in the Anglican church is so unattractive today, Bishop Bell thinks one reason is the unstable and secular times in which we are living. He says, “It would be difficult to overemphasize the effect of two world wars on young men’s minds, or the sense of disillusionment about the future generally.” We think that this is in keeping with Jesus’ words, when he posed the question, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—Luke 18:8
We are living in a time of paradoxes. In this country particularly, there has probably never been so much apparent interest in religion generally. Controversial items between Catholics and Protestants are given wide publicity in the press and over the radio. High powered evangelists are barnstorming the country, going from one city to another where, through the co-operation of the local churches, sensational campaigns are staged. One would think that the nation was turning sincerely to God en masse.
But is this so? The evangelists visit a city, hold their meetings, reiterate their threats of doom for the unconverted, and then leave, but the city remains as before. A recent survey revealed that in only a surprisingly few instances did co-operating churches in these “drives” report any worthwhile increase in church attendance as a result.
The Catholic Church also is more than ever active endeavoring to “sell” its views and practices to the public. Long and tedious masses are televised. The doctrines of the church are explained through the public press, over the radio and television. But it is a serious question as to how much this really helps the church. Public opinion, enlightened by the prophetic “increase of knowledge,” is not seriously impressed by musty dogmas brought down from the Dark Ages.
True, the dangers of the atomic age which now threaten the world cause many to seek security in religion. And there is a desire on the part of millions to find out more about God. Because of this, it is a most opportune time to bear witness to the truth, to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom far and wide. Surely the Lord’s people should be as wise in this respect as the “children of this world.”
However, despite the unprecedented efforts of all churches to bring about a religious revival, there is less genuine faith in God and in the Bible—even in America—than ever before. To those who suppose that the Lord is looking to them to convert the world this must be very discouraging, but not to those who know the plan of God. These know that the time for the world’s conversion is during the incoming age of Christ’s kingdom. They expect to see the “present evil world” pass away in unbelief. They know that their proclamation of the Gospel of the kingdom, while serving as a “witness” to many, will find a genuine response in the hearts of only one here and another there.
So we are not surprised to learn that the Church of England is running short of clergymen. We are not surprised to know that there are thousands of empty pulpits in this country. We are not surprised that crime, corruption in government, and ungodliness generally are on the increase. The Bible foretold that these were the things to look for at the end of the age, and we accept them as “signs” of Christ’s presence and of the fact that his kingdom will soon be manifested for the enlightenment and blessing of all the families of the earth.
The Economic Struggle in Palestine
THOSE who have faith in the prophecies of the Bible know that God’s hand is in the affairs of the Jewish people in their returning to Palestine and the rebuilding of that ancient Land of Promise. However, this is being accomplished under conditions of extreme difficulty and hardship. The devaluation of Israel’s pound has greatly increased the difficulties of living, for it has resulted in all prices, except for a small number of essential and rationed foodstuffs, to be greatly increased. Hadassah Newsletter reports:
“Workers are now able to buy only essential goods. They have to use so much of their income for food, transport, and clothes that little is left for ‘luxuries.’ In other words, the first result of the new economic policy has been a lowering of the standard of living. … The plan will achieve its aim of ‘working off inflation’ only if the government is able to resist the demands of the workers for higher wages and of the industrialists for increased profits.”
This sounds very much like the problem facing America, and in fact, practically the whole world. In Israel, however, they hope to solve it by the exploitation of the land and the development of industry. Israel’s Minister of Labor, Golda Myerson, presents a hopeful report based on the discovery of raw materials, and the development of industries which this makes possible. She gives the Bible credit for helping them find iron and copper. We quote:
“We have now found that references in the Bible to the existence of iron ore and copper in the land of Israel are examples of practical reporting. After thousands of years we have been able to substantiate the accuracy of these references because both these metals have been discovered in the Negev. We still do not know the full extent of the iron and copper deposits, but they clearly are to be found in sufficient quantities to meet Israel’s own needs. According to experts there are oil deposits in many parts of Israel, including the Negev. I hope they are right, but up to now we have not yet explored for oil.”
It is now the hope of the Israeli Government that the new nation will become self-sufficient in six or seven years. This may well be true. Ezekiel’s prophecy pictures these returned exiles as dwelling safely in their land, and with sufficient stability economically to become a prey worthwhile for the aggressive forces of Gog and Magog. (Ezek. 38:14-23) In any case, we know that all the prophecies pertaining to this ancient people of God will be fulfilled in “due time.” One of those prophecies is that in a time of dire need the Lord will fight for them, and as a result of this their eyes will be opened to recognize their Messiah.
It will be then—and in co-operation with the resurrected ancient worthies—that the returned Israelites will have their greatest and lasting prosperity. And the richest of all treasures which will then be their valued possession will be their knowledge of Jehovah, and their recognition of his beloved Son as their Messiah and King.