The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 450

;

FAITH

4IO somewhat extensively, deny our confession of

for

it

Our

touches a principle.

They may

faith.

universities

concede that God

still

the Author of salvation, but faith (such as they interpret it) in the sense of a

medium which

is

is

taken

originates from the union of the

breath of the soul and the inworking of the Holy Spirit.

Hence

their manifest preference for such novel exegesis, apparent also

from the energetic and persistent effort to popularize it. And this tendency is manifest in many other directions. instruction received at Utrecht

And

For

in-

Hence the

dividual, original research there is little opportunity.

the only source of information.

is

thoroughly rooted in heart and mind that the student can not conceive that it can be otherwise. Moreover, the arguments have been presented so concisely and incessantly that conthis is so

vincing arguments for opposite views seem utterly impossible.

This being the case, our young theologians, honest in and loyal from the pulpit and in private conversation that uncertainty regarding various doctrinal points is out of

to their convictions, declare

the question

;

so that

it

must be conceded and acknowledged that

the ancient expositors were decidedly wrong. of the strong opposition against

among our

many

And this

is

the cause

established opinions, even

best ministers; not from love of opposition, but because

sincere convictions forbid

them

to follow

any other

line of conduct,

at least as long as they are not better informed.

And

may

not remain so. There is no earnestness in that unworthy of the man scientifically trained; it is unworthy of the minister. There is need of individual research and investigation. These Utrecht novelties should be received with a this

position.

It is

considerable grain of

salt.

It

may even

learning of the Utrecht faculty,

be freely surmised that the

when they oppose

the learning of

the whole Church, must be discredited. And thus our young men will be compelled to return to original research. Not only that, but they will be compelled to buy books.

The

libraries of nearly all our

young theologians contain scarcely

anything but German works, products of the mediation theology hence exceedingly one-sided, not national, foreign to our Church, in conflict with our history.

And

then

we hope

This lack ought

that the time soon

will

first to

be supplied.

come when every

minister in our Reformed churches shall be in the possession of at

few solid and better works. And when thus the opportunity born for more impartial and more correct study, the rising gen-

least a is

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen