“SECULAR CHRISTIANITY” AND GOD WHO ACTS, by Robert J. Blaikie; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 255 Jefferson Ave. , S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49502; 1970; 257 pages; Paperback $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. Cecil W. Tuininga, pastor of the Christian Reformed
Church of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Robert J. Blaikie is concerned about what is happening in the church today. The empirical methods of modem science, believed and used by many church leaders, brings them to a denial of the God of Scripture, the God Who acts in history, and who calls mankind to action. Born out of this reliance and faith in the empirical method is what the author calls “Secular Christianity,” of which the fundamental faith affirmation is “. . . that whatever cannot be examined and tested by the methods of empirical science is not in the deepest sense ‘real’ and cannot become the object of ‘knowledge’ or a source of ‘truth’” (p. 39). This places God as Agent, and man’s mind and will in the area of hypothetical constructs. All that cannot come under the umbrella of the empirical method must be rejected as sheer metaphysical speculation.
This forces the “Secular Christian” into a whole new way of viewing Scripture, God, man, history, etc. God must be discovered. But how can He by the empirical method? Hence God is thought of as existing only in something that happens in man or through him, and the acts of God as those of a process, not of an Agent. This brings the “secular Christian” to speak of Christ as existing only in his acts. It rules out the possibility of miracles, and interprets the resurrection as that event which lives in the mind of believers. The author demonstrates conclusively, by many quotations from many writers (such as Paul Van Buren. Harvey Cox, Ronald Gregor Smith, Thomas J. J. Altizer), and a clear analysis of their writings, to what errors this method brings “secular Christians.”
Against the faith-destroying empirical method of “Secular Christianity” the author posits the fundamental faith-affirmation of the biblical Christian, that God is real and active, and all other reality and activity originates from Him. It is in terms of this fact, for the Christian, that every claim must ultimately be assessed” (p. 49). Unless there is again a clear affirmation on the part of church leaders of the revelation of God, Creator and ruler over all, the modern compromise with empirical science will destroy the church. The author makes a strong plea for that integrity that will bring leaders to make a clear affirmation of the truth and avoid all ambiguity.
The analyses of the author are excellent. I judge that he very clearly and convincingly exposes the error presently working in the Christian world, the worship of science and its its supposedly truth revealing methods. This makes the book rewarding and helps us understand the various currents of thought being expressed today. In the face of much opposition, the author takes his stand against “Secular Christianity” and for Biblical Christianity.
Appreciating very much the thorough analysis of the author, this reviewer was rather disappointed by his failure to come through more clearly as to what the Christian faith is all about. Blaikie leaves doubt as to Who the God who acts in His sovereignty is and what man’s relation to Him is. He leaves one wondering just exactly what his views are on miracles, on redemption, on creation, etc. The author leaves us hanging in midair in failing to state his own “credo” clearly and unambiguously. We concur when he states that “Secular Christianity” is a betrayal of Christ and the Christian Faith and that the errors of Marcion, Arius, Pelagius, and others “are all minor errors compared with the vast compounded error of this movement in the Church today” (p. 229). This book is really worth reading, but the author would greatly improve its value by adding a brief statement of the historic Christian faith as he understands it. The book lacks a positive declaration necessary to lead its readers out of the snares of “Secular Christianity” into the full liberty of Biblical Christianity.
Robert J. Blaikie is concerned about what is happening in the church today. The empirical methods of modem science, believed and used by many church leaders, brings them to a denial of the God of Scripture, the God Who acts in history, and who calls mankind to action. Born out of this reliance and faith in the empirical method is what the author calls “Secular Christianity,” of which the fundamental faith affirmation is “. . . that whatever cannot be examined and tested by the methods of empirical science is not in the deepest sense ‘real’ and cannot become the object of ‘knowledge’ or a source of ‘truth’” (p. 39). This places God as Agent, and man’s mind and will in the area of hypothetical constructs. All that cannot come under the umbrella of the empirical method must be rejected as sheer metaphysical speculation.
This forces the “Secular Christian” into a whole new way of viewing Scripture, God, man, history, etc. God must be discovered. But how can He by the empirical method? Hence God is thought of as existing only in something that happens in man or through him, and the acts of God as those of a process, not of an Agent. This brings the “secular Christian” to speak of Christ as existing only in his acts. It rules out the possibility of miracles, and interprets the resurrection as that event which lives in the mind of believers. The author demonstrates conclusively, by many quotations from many writers (such as Paul Van Buren. Harvey Cox, Ronald Gregor Smith, Thomas J. J. Altizer), and a clear analysis of their writings, to what errors this method brings “secular Christians.”
Against the faith-destroying empirical method of “Secular Christianity” the author posits the fundamental faith-affirmation of the biblical Christian, that God is real and active, and all other reality and activity originates from Him. It is in terms of this fact, for the Christian, that every claim must ultimately be assessed” (p. 49). Unless there is again a clear affirmation on the part of church leaders of the revelation of God, Creator and ruler over all, the modern compromise with empirical science will destroy the church. The author makes a strong plea for that integrity that will bring leaders to make a clear affirmation of the truth and avoid all ambiguity.
The analyses of the author are excellent. I judge that he very clearly and convincingly exposes the error presently working in the Christian world, the worship of science and its its supposedly truth revealing methods. This makes the book rewarding and helps us understand the various currents of thought being expressed today. In the face of much opposition, the author takes his stand against “Secular Christianity” and for Biblical Christianity.
Appreciating very much the thorough analysis of the author, this reviewer was rather disappointed by his failure to come through more clearly as to what the Christian faith is all about. Blaikie leaves doubt as to Who the God who acts in His sovereignty is and what man’s relation to Him is. He leaves one wondering just exactly what his views are on miracles, on redemption, on creation, etc. The author leaves us hanging in midair in failing to state his own “credo” clearly and unambiguously. We concur when he states that “Secular Christianity” is a betrayal of Christ and the Christian Faith and that the errors of Marcion, Arius, Pelagius, and others “are all minor errors compared with the vast compounded error of this movement in the Church today” (p. 229). This book is really worth reading, but the author would greatly improve its value by adding a brief statement of the historic Christian faith as he understands it. The book lacks a positive declaration necessary to lead its readers out of the snares of “Secular Christianity” into the full liberty of Biblical Christianity.