EVANGELIZING DUTY OF CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 6

EVANGELIZING DUTY OF CHURCH

Post-War Problems ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF BAPTIST UNION “I am convinced that, as in the war to end war’ in 1914-1918, we arc not so much in a crisis as we are moving to a crisis,” said the Rev. 11. G. Goring, delivering bis presidential address to the (51st annual assembly of the Baptist Union of New Zealand in Wellington last night. “Spiritually, emotionally, financially, industrially, and commercially, we are living in a world of fanciful and fictitious values. (The colossal problems which must confront every country and practically every household after the war beggar description. “Unfortunately we are once again in danger of deluding ourselves with \ague visions of an ensuing peace synonymous with all things bright and beautiful. There is a hazy idea in many quarters that with the cessation of armed conflict, by some mighty performance of legerdemain and a crying of ‘Hey, k resto, life will resume in orderly and aforetime fashion. The mocking mirages of the past have taught us little., or we should be more practical realists.” . e Remarking that to many Christians the ultimate solution lay in the Second Advent of Christ, and that. ho personally, while affirming his belief in the ever imminence of the return of Christ, preferred to leave that in the Divine keeping. Mr. Goring said we should beware Wwe emulate the ostrich. The word of Christ: “Occiinv till I come,” must be fulfilled. Mr. Goring said that it was the duty of Christianity to evangelize man for total conversion not only as an individual but as a member of society. Conversion to Christianity did not remove a man from the world, but the man moved into the Kingdom of God and was a citizen of the commonwealth of heaven. This social idea did not mean only right personal quality, it meant also right family life, and economic, political,, and international relations'll ips Christianized. This icd to the necessity for organized action, and to the relevancy of the Christian Church as a body of believers united for the special purpose of co-ordinated, instead of haphazard, aggression against evil, and for good.