THE dogmas of Christian theology have long been favorite battle ground. The meaning and purpose of the Scriptural messages almost from the beginning of the Christian era have been prolific subjects for debate; and the controversy is still on. The contest now being waged between fundamentalist and modernist is but another example of this controversial tendency, illustrating the truth of that familiar but pertinent saying, "A question is never settled until it is settled right." Christian Scientists are perfectly sure that the questions as to the meaning and application of Scriptural teachings will never be settled until their spiritual significance is seen. In this way alone will doctrinal questions be solved.
The fundamentalists, it appears, would insist in general upon literal adherence to the letter of the Scriptures, a decidedly materialistic point of view. The modernists, likewise failing to grasp the deep spiritual significance of the Scriptures, and being unable to reconcile many of the Biblical statements with their material reasoning, refuse to accept the dogmatic doctrines of their antagonists. It is not a new controversy, but additional fillip has been given to the disputation through modern researches in archæology and ethnology, and many discoveries and inventions in the realm of physical science.
Divine revelation apparently has been superseded in both these contending groups,—the one holding fast to their dogmatic interpretation of the holy Scriptures, the other refusing to accept what does not appeal to their reason. In this situation reason and revelation seem as directly opposed as the poles. In fact, it is often contended by materialists that reason and revelation are irreconcilable, since the latter transcends the former; which is another way of saying that reason leaves off where revelation begins. This is really but the revival of an old controversy.
