Christian Churches and Churches of Christ; Lutz, Henry Frey, 1868-1926 -- Biography; Restoration movement (Christianity)
"The psychological and spiritual solution of Rittelmeyer's problem
is not so hard to find. The soul of man can not live on negations. To
stir the soul there must be positive principles and epoch-making
historical facts, such as are offered by the Scriptural teachings of
Christ and his words. There can be religious life only where there is
faith in him who is the truth and the life. Liberal theology has failed
because it has nothing to offer."
Dr. Harnack, its great high priest, found it an unsatisfying portion,
and, doubtless influenced by its failure, has resigned and turned his
energies into other channels.
Unitarianism appeals almost entirely to the head and but little to the
heart. It supplies a kind of abnormal stimulant to the intellect, but
usually freezes out the emotions. It is like the arctic regions, where
they have six months of light, but no heat, and where consequently
there is no growth of any kind. It is broad, but really superficial and
shallow. It is like a piece of rubber stretched over a wide surface; it
is wide, but it becomes very thin. Emerson seemed to recognize how
shallow rationalism makes people when he declared that "a small
consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds--little philosophers,
little statesmen and little divines." The finite mind cannot see the
consistency of the great and deep truths of life and God. To try to
deal with these great questions with human logic is like manipulating a
circle with a break in it. Each reasoner calls attention to the break
in the circle of logic of others, but dexterously manipulates his own
circle so as to hide its missing link.
Rationalism is a delusion and a snare, and, when followed to its
logical conclusion, leads to absurdity and death. Fortunately, most
people who are tainted with this disease do not follow it to its
legitimate conclusions. Through preconceived and inherited ideas and
sentimental inertia, they are held to their moorings. But,
unfortunately, their pupils are not always thus protected. Many
preachers who are held in their place by religious habits and
associations, give expression to rationalistic ideas that take lodgment
in the minds of young men who are not surrounded with religious habits
and associations to hold them; and who, following these rationalistic
ideas to their logical conclusion, are led to doubt and confusion. I
believe that hundreds of thinking young men have been led away from
Christ and the church in this way, all because they and their teacher
did not recognize the true character of rationalism and the proper
functions and limitations of the finite intellect. Mansel gives a
proper diagnosis of rationalism in the following words:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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