PREFACE At a regular meeting of the Mennonite General Conference, held at the Blough Church, Johnstown, Pa., Oct. 25 and 26, 1911, a committee of ten was appointed to prepare a work on Christian doctrine, setting forth, from a scriptural standpoint, those things most commonly believed among us. The design of the work was not to serve as a confession of faith, but rather as an exposition of the doctrines which a confession of faith ought to contain. Following are the names of the committee appointed: A. D. Wenger, Fentress, Va.; D. J. Johns, Goshen, Ind.; George R. Brunk, Denbigh, Va.; A. P. Heatwole, Waynesboro, Va.; Noah H. Mack, New Holland, Pa.; D. D. Miller, Middlebury, Ind.; D. H. Bender, Hesston, Kans.; S. E. Allgyer, West Liberty, Ohio.; J. E. Hartzler, Goshen, Ind.; Daniel Kauffman, Scottdale, Pa. The committee organized at once and entered upon its duties. A table of contents was prepared and writers chosen to prepare the several chapters. How well, or how poorly, we succeeded in carrying out our commission we shall leave to the kind reader to judge. Our gratitude is due to the writers of the chapters herein considered, to the brethren who have so kindly favored us with their counsel, to the writers of the numerous books consulted in the preparation of the volume, and above all to the loving heavenly Father whose sustaining grace made this work possible. In our acknowledgement to the authors consulted in the preparation of this work, our first acknowledgment is due the Divine Author of the one BOOK of revelation from heaven, which Book was our constant companion and instructor and foundation from beginning to end. Besides this, and besides a number of books by Mennonite authors, and commentaries and reference books usually found in the ordinary Bible student's library, the following are among the authors and works consulted: What the Bible Teaches-Torrey; Systematic Theologies-Clarke, Brown, Hodge, Wakefield, Evans, Strong; Encyclopedias-Schaff-Herzog, Britannica, Inglis, etc.; Public Worship-Pattison; Theopneustia-Gaussen; Ecclesiology— Johnson; The World and its God-Mauro; Wahres Christendum-Arndt; People's Bible-Parker. We believe that the Bible was given to be studied, to be obeyed, to be profited by; that there are too many Bible doctrines which are too lightly esteemed by the Christ-professing world, and too many "commandments of men" imposed upon humanity as Bible doctrines; that the doctrines herein. set forth are the teachings of God's Word, and should be prayerfully studied and willingly put to practical use by all people. It was with these convictions, and with the hope that the seeker after truth, especially the young, might get a clearer insight into these God-inspired truths, that the writing of this book was undertaken. Perhaps some readers will see things herein considered that they would like to have had treated at greater length. Other themes that you would like to have seen considered may scarcely be mentioned at all, while still others may occupy more space than their importance merits. Whatever shortcomings you may find may be attributed either to limited space in the book or limited judgment on the part of those having the preparation of this volume in charge. Our aim was to use the space to best advantage, give preference to those themes which under existing circumstances seem most in need of consideration, and from this view-point cover as wide a field as possible. With the hope that God may bless this feeble effort to the strengthening of the cause of Christ and the Church among men, we humbly submit this present volume to the prayerful consideration of the reading public. D. K. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. GOD AND MAN Theories as to how He is Revealed Chapter I. GOD 1. 2. The Existence and Being of God 4. The Divinity and Humanity of Christ 5. The Holy Spirit 6. The Trinity in Unity-Three in One Chapter II. THE CREATION 1. The Fact of Creation-the Divine Handiwork 3. In the Beginning-in Six Days-the Sabbath 21-46 21 25 26 37 40 42 47-62 47 51 53 58 63-76 63 64 70 72 74 74 75 77-87 78 79 79 83 85 87 88-128 4. The Alphabetical Arrangement of the O. T. 6. The Inspiration of the Bible 93 94 100 4. Why We Observe the First Day of the Week 130 133 134 PART III. THE PLAN OF SALVATION Chapter I. REDEMPTION 1. Definition 2. The Fall of Man 3. From what was Man Redeemed? 4. Results of Redemption 5. How Accomplished 6. Extent of the Redemption 7. Three Erroneous Views 171 175 177 178 178 183-193 183 184 185 189 180 191 192 |