Hollow Unity
by C.H. Spurgeon, 1887
Reprinted in FOUNDATION Magazine, July-August 1999
THERE ARE NOW TWO PARTIES in the religious world. The party everywhere apparent has a faith fashioned for the present century – perhaps we ought rather to say, for the present month. It derides the 1611 century Gospel and that, indeed, of every period, except the present most enlightened era. It will have no creed because it can have none; it is continually on the move; it is not what it was yesterday, and it will not be tomorrow what it is today. Its shout is for "Liberty"; its delight is invention; its element is change. On the other hand, there still survive, amid the blaze of 19th century light, a few whom these superior persons call "Fossils"; that is to say, there are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who consider that the true Gospel is no new gospel, but is the same yesterday, today and forever. These do not believe in "Advanced views" but judge that the view of truth which saved a soul in the second century will save a soul now and that a form of teaching which was unknown till the last few years is of very dubious value and is, in all probability, "Another gospel," which is not another.
It is extremely difficult for these two parties to abide in union. The old fable of the collier who went home to dwell with the fuller is nothing to it.... How can his friend deal with him since he changes with the moon? If, after long balancing of words, the two parties could construct a basis of agreement, it would, in the nature of things, last only for a season since the position of the advancing party would put the whole settlement out of order in a few weeks. One could hardly invent a sliding scale in theology, as Sir Robert Peel did in corn duties.
Nor is it merely doctrinal belief – there is an essential difference in spirit between the old believer and the man of new and advancing views. This is painfully perceived by the Christian man before very long. Even if he be fortunate enough to escape the sneers of the cultured and the jests of the philosophical, he will find his deepest convictions questioned and his brightest beliefs misrepresented by those who dub themselves "Thoughtful men." When a text from the Word has been particularly precious to his heart, he will hear its authenticity impugned, the translation disputed or its Gospel reference denied. He will not travel far on the dark continent of modern thought before he will find the efficacy of prayer debated, the operation of Divine Providence questioned and the special love of God denied. He will find himself a stranger in a strange land when he begins to speak of his experience and of the ways of God to man. In all probability, if he be faithful to the old faith, he will be alien to his mother's children and find that his soul is among lions. To what end, therefore, are these strainings after a hollow unity, when the spirit of fellowship is altogether gone? At any rate, cost what it may, to separate ourselves from those who separate themselves from the truth of God is not alone our liberty, but our duty. in the religious world. The party everywhere apparent has a faith fashioned for the present century – perhaps we ought rather to say, for the present month. It derides the 1611 century Gospel and that, indeed, of every period, except the present most enlightened era. It will have no creed because it can have none; it is continually on the move; it is not what it was yesterday, and it will not be tomorrow what it is today. Its shout is for "Liberty"; its delight is invention; its element is change. On the other hand, there still survive, amid the blaze of 19th century light, a few whom these superior persons call "Fossils"; that is to say, there are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who consider that the true Gospel is no new gospel, but is the same yesterday, today and forever. These do not believe in "Advanced views" but judge that the view of truth which saved a soul in the second century will save a soul now and that a form of teaching which was unknown till the last few years is of very dubious value and is, in all probability, "Another gospel," which is not another.
C.H. Spurgeon, 1887
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