Wrong Views

Throughout the ages, men have developed widely different conceptions of the Godhead. Polytheism, pantheism, idolatry of all kinds, represent the beliefs and practices of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans. The monuments and tablets contained in the museums of the world illustrate these conceptions. In preaching on Mars' Hill, Paul told his audience, 'We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device'. (Acts 17.29). In reviewing all these human attempts to depict God, the apostle concluded, 'The world by wisdom knew not God.' (1 Corinthians 1.2).

If he denounced the beliefs of the ancients in these terms, he would equally denounce the beliefs and opinions of the moderns. Nearly all sections of Christendom worship the Trinity, representing God as 'three in one, and one in three', being without 'body, parts, or passions.' The Roman Catholics deify the Virgin Mary, and worship saints and dead men's bones. The most modern conception of God is that found in the 'advanced thinking' of men like John Robinson, the former Bishop of Woolwich, who virtually denies the personal reality of the God of heaven, and instead propounds the theory that God is 'the ground of our being', whatever that enigmatical phrase may mean. All this, in the light of divine revelation, is error and superstition, or atheism in a disguised form.