A Phase of the Church Question. [pp. 566-586]

IS7~.] T1~6 C1~?6~'C1~ Quc8~ioTh.
peculiar exposition of which is founded t}iis private judgment
scheme. To base an "idea or theory" of the Ecelesia npon
what tlie Greek fathers tangl~t, rather than to accept the ~ord
of C1~rist, may be the work of a speculatist. No such theorizing can have any weight with those who prefer to follow
Christ rather than to put confidence in men.
It is nseless for Dr. Nevin to affirm that il~e creed defines
the idea. Theological writers of all ages-P~oman, Greek, and
Protestant-admit that there is O~~e JT)ly C/~ri~tiam Ck~~rck.
It is no less certain that this Ecelesia has always been regarded
as the aj~~re~a~J assembly of the saints. The notion of an
CAurc~ finds no authority iii a word or phrase uttered by
the Saviour. ~Vhat is equally remarkable is the fact, that this
abstract notion can find no foundation in history. It is not a
question, therefore, whether il~e "idea or theory" entertained
by Dr. Nevin may be received. llistory says: ~O. Aj~rivaPj~~(I~?~6flt scheme, no matter how profoundly philosophical,
can have no right, considered historically, to either respcct or
confidence.
T}~ere is only ome truly primitive idea of the Lcclesia. The
so-callcd fathers, whether Greek or P~oman, mQy entertain
whatever notion, idea, or theory they choose. The notions,
ideas, or theories may be ancient: they are not primitive.
Dr. Nevin, in company with P~omanists, Greco-Romanists, Anglo-P~om anists, and all other advocates of a human "idea or
theory" may accept as normal what is simply ancient. True
Protestantism accepts only the PRIMITIVE CREED.
The Saviour speaks through his Apostles, of the Ecelesia
as "t1~c ~iu1ti1uJe of t~em t4at be~cve." This multitude is
said to increase. "And t~e lord added dai(j~ to t4e C/~urc1~
c8 8Aon~d be saved." llere is the primitive idea of the
Christian Church: it is the Asseiubiy of t7~e saimts. Augustine says: "The Church consists of the faithful dispersed
throughout the woAd." No other idea was known in the days
of the Apostles: the Saviour teaches no other. This Leclesia
is founded upon a trulypersoma1fait~. Of this faith tiie Saviour says: " O'?t tkis rook Jwii~fo~u~d ~ny Ckuro/~."
Dr. Nevin does not distinguish between a personal faith, as
a living reality, and a formal faith. The so-called Apostles'