the vital message(主信)-第3章
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example。 One of these is that the very essence of it was that He critically
examined religion as He found it； and brought His robust common sense
and courage to bear in exposing the shams and in pointing out the better
path。 THAT is the hall…mark of the true follower of Christ； and not the
mute acceptance of doctrines which are； upon the face of them； false and
pernicious； because they come to us with some show of authority。 What
authority have we now； save this very life； which could compare with
those Jewish books which were so binding in their force； and so
immutably sacred that even the misspellings or pen…slips of the scribe；
were most carefully preserved？ It is a simple obvious fact that if Christ
had been orthodox； and had possessed what is so often praised as a 〃child…
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like faith；〃 there could have been no such thing as Christianity。 Let
reformers who love Him take heart as they consider that they are indeed
following in the footsteps of the Master； who has at no time said that the
revelation which He brought； and which has been so imperfectly used； is
the last which will come to mankind。 In our own times an equally great
one has been released from the centre of all truth； which will make as deep
an impression upon the human race as Christianity； though no
predominant figure has yet appeared to enforce its lessons。 Such a figure
has appeared once when the days were ripe； and I do not doubt that this
may occur once more。 One other consideration must be urged。 Christ has
not given His message in the first person。 If He had done so our position
would be stronger。 It has been repeated by the hearsay and report of
earnest but ill…educated men。 It speaks much for education in the Roman
province of Judea that these fishermen； publicans and others could even
read or write。 Luke and Paul were； of course； of a higher class； but their
information came from their lowly predecessors。 Their account is
splendidly satisfying in the unity of the general impression which it
produces； and the clear drawing of the Master's teaching and character。 At
the same time it is full of inconsistencies and contradictions upon
immaterial matters。 For example； the four accounts of the resurrection
differ in detail； and there is no orthodox learned lawyer who dutifully
accepts all four versions who could not shatter the evidence if he dealt
with it in the course of his profession。 These details are immaterial to the
spirit of the message。 It is not common sense to suppose that every item is
inspired； or that we have to make no allowance for imperfect reporting；
individual convictions； oriental phraseology； or faults of translation。 These
have； indeed； been admitted by revised versions。 In His utterance about the
letter and the spirit we could almost believe that Christ had foreseen the
plague of texts from which we have suffered； even as He Himself suffered
at the hands of the theologians of His day； who then； as now； have been a
curse to the world。 We were meant to use our reasons and brains in
adapting His teaching to the conditions of our altered lives and times。
Much depended upon the society and mode of expression which belonged
to His era。 To suppose in these days that one has literally to give all to the
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poor； or that a starved English prisoner should literally love his enemy the
Kaiser； or that because Christ protested against the lax marriages of His
day therefore two spouses who loathe each other should be for ever
chained in a life servitude and martyrdomall these assertions are to
travesty His teaching and to take from it that robust quality of common
sense which was its main characteristic。 To ask what is impossible from
human nature is to weaken your appeal when you ask for what is
reasonable。 It has already been stated that of the three headings under
which reforms are grouped； the exclusion of the old dispensation； the
greater attention to Christ's life as compared to His death； and the new
spiritual influx which is giving us psychic religion； it is only on the latter
that one can quote the authority of the beyond。 Here； however； the case is
really understated。 In regard to the Old Testament I have never seen the
matter treated in a spiritual communication。 The nature of Christ； however；
and His teaching； have been expounded a score of times with some
variation of detail； but in the main as reproduced here。 Spirits have their
individuality of view； and some carry over strong earthly prepossessions
which they do not easily shed； but reading many authentic spirit
communications one finds that the idea of redemption is hardly ever
spoken of； while that of example and influence is for ever insisted upon。 In
them Christ is the highest spirit known； the son of God； as we all are； but
nearer to God； and therefore in a more particular sense His son。 He does
not； save in most rare and special cases； meet us when we die。 Since souls
pass over； night and day； at the rate of about 100 a minute； this would
seem self…evident。 After a time we may be admitted to His presence； to
find a most tender； sympathetic and helpful comrade and guide； whose
spirit influences all things even when His bodily presence is not visible。
This is the general teaching of the other world communications concerning
Christ； the gentle； loving and powerful spirit which broods ever over that
world which； in all its many spheres； is His special care。 Before passing to
the new revelation； its certain proofs and its definite teaching； let us hark
back for a moment upon the two points which have already been treated。
They are not absolutely vital points。 The fresh developments can go on
and conquer the world without them。 There can be no sudden change in
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the ancient routine of our religious habits； nor is it possible to conceive
that a congress of theologians could take so heroic a step as to tear the
Bible in twain； laying one half upon the shelf and one upon the table。
Neither is it to be expected that any formal pronouncements could ever be
made that the churches have all laid the wrong emphasis upon the story of
Christ。 Moral courage will not rise to such a height。 But with the spiritual
quickening and the greater earnestness which will have their roots in this
bloody passion of mankind； many will perceive what is reasonable and
true； so that even if the Old Testament should remain； like some obsolete
appendix in the animal frame； to mark a lower stage through which
development has passed； it will more and more be recognised as a
document which has lost all validity and which should no
