Comment By Torchlight

Selling the Pass

A remarkable statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury was reported in the Press during his recent visit to the United States. Speaking at a convention in Seattle, he is reported to have said that a future Christendom "might accept the Pope as presiding bishop among the bishops of the world". Dr. Ramsey went on to say that he foresaw a future united church characterized by diversity of form. This union of all Christian churches would allow broad independence of national churches and "a lot of variety in customs and form", but would agree on basic doctrines, sacraments and ministry. "However," he added, "I don't think that Christendom as a whole would accept the Pope as infallible" in defining faith and morals.

That the Primate of the Church of England should make this statement is surprising enough. What is more surprising is that such statements are no longer regarded as sensational. This clearly indicates the progress the ecumenical idea is making in Christendom. Clearly, a softening-up process is being pursued to get the public conditioned to an idea which a few years ago would have caused an outcry among Protestants everywhere. The great truths the Reformers fought to recover are being bartered for the "mess of pottage" of union and temporal power. The gravity of the trend is evident to all who regard Holy Scripture as the sole authority for faith.

In the article, "The Position Today", which appears on page 165 of our present issue, attention is drawn to the dilemma facing evangelicals in the various denominations. When their leaders speak so decisively, how can evangelicals dissociate themselves from such treachery and yet remain in their denominations? There are many born-again Christians inside the Church of England who deplore and dissent from the policy enunciated by Dr. Ramsey and yet they are powerless to stem the tide. The choice for such is a solemn one but it is a choice which cannot be evaded.

The statement by Dr. Ramsey is a further step towards the formation of the great religious combine which the prophetic word leads us to expect towards the end-time. The great harlot church of the future will wield great political influence in world affairs but will eventually be destroyed by the ten kings to make way for the supreme world-ruler-Antichrist. The ten kings "shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire. For God did put in their hearts to do His mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished" (Revelations 17.16,17).

In the light of this sure word of prophecy the loyal-hearted believer should take no part in the march towards union which is the present goal of Christendom. Whatever the cost, separation from it is the only course consistent with obedience to God's word.

Science and God

A group of experts writing in a recent issue of Science Journal have been looking ahead and telling us the extent to which science will change life on this planet in 20 years' time. Among the forecasts they make are that man will be able to control the weather, speed from London to Sydney in a couple of hours, mine the vast reserves of the sea-bed, and eliminate all infectious diseases. Personality-changing drugs, and drugs to increase intelligence will be available. It sounds staggering, but scientific progress during the past 50 years has been equally spectacular.

A writer in the daily Press points out that these changes in the pattern of human life will create new tensions and problems, and calls for some action in the international field to prepare for the challenge they will bring.

Whether or not the horizons viewed by these expert8 will eventually be reached, it remains true that God sits as Sovereign on the throne of His universe. He has horizons, too, and works all things after the counsel of His will. The universe belongs to the Creator and its goal is fixed. That goal is clearly defined in divine revelation. The apostle Paul had a profound knowledge of it and in many passages in his epistles he surveys the wonderful vista of God's great cosmic purpose. His Spirit-directed vision perceived what was hidden from unenlightened men. He discloses in His epistle to the Ephesians that it is the good pleasure of the Father "to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth" (1.10). In the same epistle he refers to an unseen reaim-"the heavenly places" (or heavenlies). Here the governing forces of the universe are located and the risen Christ is seated "far above all..." (1.21). Again, writing to the church in Colosse he describes the pre-eminence of Christ in the remarkable words:

"...the Son of His love... who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1.13-17).

The administration of the universe lies in the pierced hands of our glorified Saviour!

This is a factor which men of the world leave out of reckoning altogether. As they probe and explore the secrets of the universe, instead of bowing in worship before its Creator they arrogantly ignore Him and speak and act as though they were gods themselves. And yet, no matter what progress is made in improving the material conditions of human life on this earth, the daily newspaper continues to expose the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of mankind.

From this depressing prospect the Christian looks with increasing hope to the prospect of our Lord's return. In His hands alone the problems which beset mankind will be gloriously solved. Human pride will be broken against the rock of divine omnipotence.

unknown | Nov 1967
Comment By Torchlight