Comment By Torchlight

Unity: the False and the True

Next month's resumption of the Ecumenical Conference in Rome is provoking further discussion on the subject of the reunion of Christendom. While many look hopefully for progress towards a basis for reunion there is growing concern among born-again believers associated with various religious bodies, at the readiness of some Protestant leaders to sacrifice vital truth for the sake of numerical unity. A recent book, giving an 'Evangelical' assessment of present ecumenical movements, exposes the sham of the 'unity' these conferences have in view. The writer of this book proceeds to emphasize the true unity of the "One Body" which embraces all those who are born again of the Holy Spirit. He then raises a relevant and important issue by commenting that 'Evangelicals' are all too ready to be "satisfied with preaching the true unity of believers while accepting the status quo of denominational divisions": While not himself offering any positive solution, he pleads for re-thinking on this important question.

These comments draw attention to matters which are often confused, (1) the invisible indestructible unity of the Body of Christ, and (2) the visible conditional unity which requires that disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ be gathered in Churches of God. Any re-thinking on (2) which does not go back to basic apostolic teaching on church constitution will be futile. There has been grave departure from the Faith and the present confusion and division shows the folly of seeking a compromise solution. The weak position of true believers associated with counterfeit religious systems is evident; error has become so firmly entrenched that they have little hope of counteracting it. The moves towards religious amalgamation will proceed and when they reach their climax in the great ecclesiastical confederation of the future the divine call will be:

"Come forth, My people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities" (Revelation 18.4, 5).

We believe these words have an application today and that the place for the loyal-hearted believer is 'outside the camp' of the world's religious systems. This call to separation involves reproach, for separation. from evil is always costly, but the price must be paid; loyalty to our rejected Lord demands it. The obedient disciple must be prepared to be misunderstood, even by fellow-believers. This is an ordeal which many have endured in the past and its bitterness can only be realized by experience, but there are compensating joys, and divine grace sufficient for the occasion will be supplied.

We cannot deal with these important matters in more detail in this short feature. Those wishing to examine the subject more fully are invited to apply to the address at the foot of the back page for booklets which are freely available.

Christian Marriage

Some recent pronouncements on the subject of marriage in Great Britain have caused considerable debate in the Press. The discussion has brought into the open some alarming views, too shocking to reproduce here, and the freedom with which these views are advocated is evidence of the serious decline in public morals. At a recent conference of the National Marriage Guidance Council it was stated that the Christian view of marriage was no longer unquestionably accepted in this country. This assertion cannot be viewed with equanimity. History shows that decline in standards of morality in marriage is an omen of national decay. It is like the maggot in the apple.

The Christian view of marriage goes back to its institution by God in the days of man's innocence. We quote one of our Lord's clear declarations on the subject to show His teaching on the sanctity and permanence of the marriage bond:

"Have ye not read, that He which made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the twain shall become one flesh? So that they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefor God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19.4-6).

The apostle Paul follows His Master by declaring with equal clarity: "The woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. So then if while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress" (Romans 7.2, 3).

The Infallible word

In their study of the material universe men use both the telescope and the microscope. By means of these aids they discover evidence of a master mind behind the great plan of the universe. So with Scripture. We may study its broad outlines and far prospects or we may examine it in its minutest details. And in Scripture, as in the material universe, we will discover evidence of an order and cohesion which bear the impress of a divine hand. Creation and Revelation are alike God's handiwork. If we considered with more care the great landmarks in God's dealings with mankind to which Scripture points we should be less impressed with the ideas propounded by men who have the ear of the masses today. What is now occurring in the world has its roots in great crises of the past. The Bible is the only true interpreter of history, a beacon light in a world of darkness and death.

This Book, this holy Book, on every line

Marked with the seal of high divinity,

On every leaf bedewed with drops of love

Divine, and with the eternal heraldry

And signature of God Almighty stamped.

From first to last, this ray of sacred light,

This lamp, from off the everlasting throne,

Mercy took down and in the night of Time

Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow;

And evermore beseeching men with tears

And earnest sighs, to read, believe, and live.

(Pollock)