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 A
mother or father tells me, “My son (or daughter) obeyed the
gospel when twelve years of age. He never missed Bible class or
worship, and made talks on Wednesday nights. When he went away
to college and began to hear arguments on evolution and all that
junk, he really stood up for the Bible. I remember the first
Thanksgiving holiday he came home, he told us all about the
discussion he had with his teachers. He even tried to convert
his room-mate. But now — the boy has finished college and is
married. He never goes to church, and he wont let us talk to him
about it. Bro. Turner, our boy has lost his faith.”
The
dad is terribly hurt about the matter, and certainly thinks he
is telling me the truth about everything. But let’s run it
through again — if we can bear the pain of doing so.
The
boy (or girl) was “brought up in the church,” and from early
childhood was impressed with the fact that as soon as he was old
enough he would be baptized and partake of the Lord’s Supper.
So he did! He never missed a service, because his parents wouldn’t
allow it. He “made talks” dutifully, being true to “the
system,” just as he studied and recited at school. His
parents, their social circle, peers of his environment, all, “believed
in God and the Bible” so he thought he believed also.
Evolution was “that junk” but if he ever heard it
intelligently discussed it was ridiculed in specious arguments,
or in labored terms he didn’t understand.
When
he first met evolution, modernism, social theism, etc., as real
live concepts, espoused by those he now respected
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(teachers), or
his social peers (students), he dutifully responded. (He spent an hour
finding 2 Tim. 3:16-l7, and was shocked at its seeming
incongruity in this new setting.) They didn’t even believe
the Bible!! Or, he sought to meet a Ph.D. on the professor’s
ground, and of course was unprepared. At thanksgiving he may
have passed the questions on to his parents, and they said, “Oh,
you know that is wrong.” Did he?
His
bride came from this setting, or maybe a generation later; but
do not blame her. (He selected her, remember!) The truth is, he
has never had a mature faith, has never really obeyed the
gospel. Inherited religion is a poor substitute for the real
thing! The boy may never have seriously appraised himself,
the scriptures, or the gospel. He probably blames his parents
for the inner conflict he feels at times — and yet he treats
his own children the same way, with different standards of
course. He tries to teach them what he thinks is best for them,
in the best way he knows how. He can’t believe his dad faced
such situations as he has had.
We
can’t dismiss the matter by saying, “Let children grow up absolutely
free to believe and act however they please.” We may
not teach them, but none live in a vacuum. Also, this is an
abdication of responsibility, and assumes that man is an
authority unto himself. Godless societies certainly do not
recommend themselves upon honest investigation, even in this
world. Next month (D. V.) we will consider some things we
believe would help.
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