The Baptist – Volume 2 – Page 567 – 1921
An Open Letter to Rev. W. B. Riley, D. D.
BY ELMER. W. Powell
HAVE received a copy of the Christian Fundamentals in School and Church. In it I find on page 19 the following quotation : “If the annual meetings of the various denominations of last May and June were debating societies, we prophesy that the annual meetings of the coming Summer Will be revolutions.” Will you be good enough to explain publicly in an open letter to me what you mean. I am a Baptist. I believe in religious liberty, the freedom of conscience, the right of private judgment, the competency of the soul in religion and I openly confess to the world that I follow Christ and gladly take his name Christian. In the name of God, amen ; I will sign no creed. I will not accept a statement of faith from your hands nor from Pastor Massee nor from Pastor Myers. I do not ask you to accept anything from me for I accord you the rights I claim for myself. What do you propose to do for me and my brothers and sisters who will not for one moment submit to anything you propose? Will you be good enough to let us know what is meant by “revolutions” according to your announcement? So far as evolution is concerned, I believe with S. W. Williston, professor of paleontology in the University of Chicago: “I know of no biologist, whether of high or low degree, master or tyro, who ventures to suggest a doubt as to the fundamental truths of organic evolution.” I have no desire that you agree with me. What will you do to me now that I assert my disagreement. Do you propose to assume the right and authority to exclude all men of Scientific mind from the fellowship of Baptist churches? I agree with William Patten, professor of biology and zoology, Dartmouth College: “Evolution is the accepted doctrine of the natural Sciences to the extent that it has long ceased to be a subject of debate in standard scientific journals or in the organized conferences of men of science . . . allow me, a soldier of the ranks, to report that there is but one army in the field; the fight moves bravely on toward “The Light,” and science and humanity lead.” I heartily agree with Prof. Frank R. Lillie, department of embryology, University of Chicago, excepting one word : “I feel pretty impatient over the statements of certain religious teachers that evolution has collapsed.” My exception is, I am not impatient; I am amazed. I agree with Charles B. Davenport, department of experimental evolution, Carnegie Institution, Washington, D. C. “I do not know of a single modern scientific man who does not believe in evolution.” I beg of you as a minister of Jesus Christ to tell me frankly what you propose to do to me and my brothers and sisters who would vigorously contend for your religious liberty and freedom of conscience and right of private judgment.
If we were out of the church you would try to win us to the church, which is most commendable, but since we serve Christ you propose a “revolution.” In all good conscience we are striving for light and truth and brotherhood. We contribute Ourselves and our money for the establishing of the kingdom of God on earth. I think I express the mind of my brothers and sisters when I say we will follow Christ or nobody. The Bible Institute of Los Angeles has a definite doctrinal statement of faith “and all its teachers and directors, regardless of denominational affiliation, are required once a year to sign the statement of faith. . . . Failure to insist upon the promulgation of these truths or the permission of teaching contrary to this statement of belief would constitute ground for suit for the reversion of the money contributed to the original donors or heirs.” Article 13 says: “There is a personal devil, a being of great cunning and power, the prince of the power of the air. . . . He shall ultimately be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and shall be tormented day and night forever.” The Moody Bible Institute accepting the statement of Christian faith set forth by the International Prophetic Conference has no reference to the personal devil. These are not Baptist institutions and yet they can disagree. I speak for myself. I accept neither statement. I am a Baptist. Tell me plainly what you propose to do to me. I and my Christian brothers and sisters believe what Christ said : “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Will you harm us because we will follow truth? Kalamazoo, Mich.
My question is that the word “set” in the verse, seem of course to be let loose from a captivity.
Did not the scriptures say we are made in the image of God (“Christ”) Genesis 1:26.
Would then that we are made, . could we (not) be “made” free? Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall (make)? (set)? you free.
Truly I need to understand this. Could the changing of the word “set” to “make” be a good change and not a bad change..
Hardly a good change. Being set free, we’re released from bondage. To be made free, would suggest we’re being created, or reassembled as creatures who never needed to be free in the first place. This is a Calvinistic doctrine.