Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014B. B. WARFIELD AGAIN ON THE SCENEThough it has been 50 years since the death of thistheological professor, his writings are again beingreprinted, also some previously unpublished. My directintroduction to his works came through his volumes onPerfectionism and Counterfeit Miracles and my admirationfor the thoroughness, simplicity, and clarity withwhich he treated his subjects, was born. The informationthat follows comes from the Banner of Truth magazine,the whole February issue of which is devoted to the manand his writings. Many of these writings are now beingprinted by Banner of Truth Trust.His father was a breeder of cattle and horses at theirhome in Kentucky, and it was as editor of the Farmer'sHome Journal that B. B. Warfield started his professionalcareer. He had already surprised his family and closefriends, at the age of 21 while in Heidelberg, Germany, byannouncing his intention of studying for the ministry, andshortly he entered Princeton Seminary. He at one timestrenuously objected to the study of Greek, yet his firstteaching assignment, after a short period when he servedas an assistant pastor, was to the department of N. T.Exegesis and Literature in Western Theological Seminaryin Pittsburgh. After nine years he was called to Princeton,to the chair of Systematic Theology, where he served formore than 30 years till his death in 1921.Twice in the comments concerning Warfield in thisissue of Banner of Truth, it is stated that not only ministersand teachers but "intelligent Christian laymen" read hiswritings with profit. His "style was certainly marked by nogreat flourishes; . . . but one virtue it did have — howeverprofound the theme, the meaning was clear."The clarity and simplicity with which he wrote maybe partially explained by the light in which he saw hissubject of systematic theology. Warfield wrote: ". . . everyadvance in the scientific statement of theological truth hasbeen made in response to a practical demand, and hasbeen made in a distinctly practical interest. We whollymisconceive the facts if we imagine that the developmentof systematic theology has been the work of cold,scholastic recluses, intent only upon intellectual subtleties."He reminds us that the statement of religiousdogma by the church always came to resolve theologicalcontroversy, when false ideas threatened, not only toresult in schism but to bring doctrinal error into goodstanding.Warfield gave the church the equipment by which toface down the issues of the hour — and our generation isfinding that what he wrote fits the needs of today. He wasthe champion of faithfulness to the Word against theliberalism that was undermining the church, not merely inopposing the details but the world and life view of whichthey were a part.One of the few times when he wrote anonymously,he signed himself, O.L.D. Fogey., but like Jeremiah heknew which of "the old paths" were good, where menmight "find rest for (their) souls" (Jer. 6:16).THOSE CLERGY CERTIFICATESThirty years ago the clergy bureaus of the railroadssold 50,000 clergy certificates a year, though manyministers used them only "in going to synod." The mostrecent of railroad clergies give only 25 percent reductionin fares instead of the former 50 percent. We are told thatthe Eastern (Chicago and east) Bureau sold 8000 certificatesin 1969, 4000 in 1970 and so far this year only2000. It is air travel, of course, that has cut in on "clergytravel" by rail. While airline clergy certificates have justthis year changed the discount from 50 percent to onethird,it is still a bargain, if the smaller airlines serve theminister's need. (TWA, American, United, etc., do notgrant "clergy discount.") He may be "bumped" of course,but if he avoids the "weekend rush" the "clergy" stand-byfare is a real economy.'REVOLUTIONARIES, REACTIONARIES, ORRADICALS?"W. R. McEwen's editorial in the most recent copy ofEvangelical Action (McKinnon, Australia) with this title,reminds us that while Christ did not identify Himself withthe "hippies" of His day, neither did He identify with thePharisees. He could reach the immoral, the Zealot, thepublican, the Pharisee, but He identified with none ofthem. Mr. McEwen warns us, however, that in refusing toidentify with the "hippie" — or with the establishment —we may be retreating into our own little refuge of selfrighteousness.We find some Christians today who seem to go outof their way in trying to picture Jesus as a "revolutionaryin order to "be with it now." We may be just as pathetic inour picturing Him in the likeness of the respectable butworldly American. May the Holy Spirit make us able toface ourselves and our communities to the truth that"good neighbor," "golden rule," "community minded,"litter and ecology conscious," "mind one's own business,"united fund support," people who do not know JesusChrist are sinners and lost. And then that through faith inChrist and His forgiveness, we can fulfill our calling toglorify our Maker.4 COVENANTER WITNESS