But he only said:
"Surely, you are a Christian?"
"Well," replied the Californian, "I don't know. If Jesus Christ said
self-defense is wrong, then He was mistaken."
Here the argument ended. But the theme is a fruitful one; and every
thoughtful man and woman in Reedsville was bound to consider it. Dead
men tell no tales and make no arguments. Will Cummins slept peacefully
on. But the facts of the case were too plain to be ignored; and the
Californian's doubt of Christ's infallibility was widely discussed.
It was indeed a great issue, involving the fundamental principles of
Christianity. A brave man, who is not a scoffer, attacks the doctrine of
non-resistance, and lays down his life for the faith that is in him. A
martyr, then. Martyrdom in itself cannot establish a principle; but we
respect martyrdom. Turn the argument around: the martyrdom of Christ did
not establish the correctness of His teaching.
But this leads to a further question, namely, the nature of Christ--was
Christ human or divine? We may honestly say He was both; for if ever man
was inspired He was. But He might have made mistakes, as other inspired
teachers have done.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88