IN ITS issue for December 7th, The Presbyterian Tribune contains an article, entitled "Some Thoughts for Presbyterians." The author of the article is the Rev. A. A. Griffing, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Amenia, New York. In it Mr. Griffing plainly reveals the fact that he is at variance with some of the essential doctrines of Christianity. He does not believe that his thoughts are disloyal, but admits that they are "certainly not parallel with printed Presbyterianism." He even concedes that they are "un-Presbyterian," and hence feels constrained to express himself.
A Frank Confession
Mr. Griffing calls himself a conservative, but adds that "that must not be construed to mean that my mind has been dry-cured and is incapable of further intellectual effort or insensitive to deeper insights.” Well and good. When Mr. Griffing was licensed and ordained; he tells us, he could answer in the affirmative the question which is asked candidates for ordination in the denomination to which he belongs (the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.): "Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures?" Now, however, he could "answer that question in the affirmative only with a considerable mental reservation." This is a frank confession, and we admire Mr. Griffing for it, although we deeply regret that he is compelled to adopt such an attitude.
But, this is not all. If Mr. Griffing were asked the question, "Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?" he would reply with "an hearty affirmative." He adds, however, "I realize that I do not mean by my ‘I do’ what the Confession of Faith expects me to mean.”
The Atonement
In order that we may know what he means by "a considerable mental reservation" in the statement quoted above, the author refers us to the Confession's treatment of the atonement. He takes issue with the Confession because it tells us "in no uncertain terms how Jesus Christ and His Cross are related to my sin and salvation." He apparently thinks that the Confession is guilty of attempting "to delimit the whole truth of the Atonement," although, if he would read carefully what the Confession says about the atonement, he would know that it simply seeks to set forth faithfully what the Bible teaches. But Mr. Griffing says, "I cannot say that the Confession of Faith says for me all I feel about the Atonement, or that it even hits the core of it” (italics ours). This Confession, with which Mr. Griffing seems to be so dissatisfied, says, "The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him." If these words do not "hit the core of" the atonement, we confess that we know not where to find that core. Surely, they present the core of the doctrine that is taught in the Bible.
A Plight for Modernists
It would be sad enough if Mr. Griffing were the only minister to hold such views. However, he tells us that he has talked to many ministers, and so can say, "I know that my case is not an isolated one." And again, "But I am not alone. The presbytery of which I am a minister [the Presbytery of New York] is a theological rainbow. In their attitudes the members range from men who stand on the Confession with both feet to those who publicly and repeatedly say that the Confession should be discarded and one written that meets our times and situation.”
These words are frank indeed. Mr. Griffing is concerned about his attitude, but is not sure that he knows the answer to the problem. Much as we disagree with his theological position, we nevertheless admire his candor. His words are refreshing and probably will not be favorably received by the obfuscators in the ecclesiastical machine who would have us believe that all is well in the church. "Can we go on deceiving ourselves," he says, "with a deceit that is accepted as the only answer to the system as it is and really have any appeal to our generation?" Also, "But we certainly can't be wrong in being honest and admitting that the thing exists. I admit that the subterfuge exists, and that I have been a part of it.”
We agree with Mr. Griffing that "the thing exists." Just because it exists, and the organization known as the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. has refused to do anything about it, that organization has been reduced to what many Christians are convinced is an apostate condition. We would suggest to Mr. Griffing and his fellow-Modernists that there are only two honorable courses open to them. One course is immediately to sever connection with the organization to which they belong. A second course would be to seek to change the Confession to bring it into harmony with their views. Should this attempt fail, then there is only one honest thing to do, namely, to leave the church.
If honesty is to prevail, as Mr. Griffing seems to desire, these are the only two courses open to those who find themselves in essential disagreement with the Confession. But if Mr. Griffing attempts to follow one of these courses, we venture to predict that he will not have much company. We believe that he will discover that Modernism does not instill in its adherents that moral courage which causes them to face and to endure hardship, persecution, misunderstanding and ridicule. We confess that we find it difficult to believe that the average Modernist of our day would be willing to endure for his convictions what some of the stalwart ministers of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church have endured for theirs. Nevertheless, we hope that Mr. Griffing means business and that he will act upon his convictions.
A Plight for “Evangelicals”
The facts of which Mr. Griffing speaks simply indicate again the corrupt condition of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the need for a true Presbyterian church. Here is a clear instance of Modernism. What will the Bible-believing ministers in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. do about it? What will Dr. John H. McComb and other "evangelical" ministers of New York Presbytery do about this? Unless we are greatly mistaken, we know what they will do. Nothing! Absolutely nothing! There is only one thing for Christian men and women who belong to that organization to do, if they would faithfully witness to Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”