DISBELIEF IN GOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 917, 10 March 1930, Page 14

DISBELIEF IN GOD

SCEPTIC IS WALLOWING IN NEGATIVISM GIVES NOTHING TO WORLD “The sceptic, sometimes quite a clever man, when denying God, is wallowing in the slough of negativism and misapplying the capacity called faith and so is unhappy. The moralist, too, is often a self-righteous man. He has no authoritative basis for his actions, and altogether does nothing to increase the sum of human happiness.” The remarks were those of Pastor Reuben E. Dowle, preaching in the Mount Roskill Presbyterian Church yesterday on “God, the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” “The very fact that we must come to God implies the natural . tendency in human nature to seek God,” said the preacher. “Mankind has always felt its weakness and, of course, looks to God, just as a child looks up to a father. In ancient times, we learn from history, the people looked for a helper. The idolatrous religions of profane antiquity prove the same thing. "Many moderns are so self satisfied with their own self-righteousness they will not acknowledge God. As of old the fool hath said in his heart there is no God. Now, belief in God is the most natural belief in the world, and we should come to Him. God has, all down the ages, stretched forth his hands to a wicked and gainsaying people. People professing to be wise have become fools, says St. Paul. In one scripture St. Paul exclaims, Every house is built by some man; but He that built all things is God. The corruption of the human heart says ‘I will not have Him to reign over me.’ This is the kind of teaching that produces anti-God and such blasphemies. But God will vindicate Himself. “Again, the belief in God is necessary. Man has his trials, tempta tions and limitations. The rationalist, so called, who is simply a worshipper of fallible reason, tries to flout God. This is because He has not realised his insufficiencies and weaknesses. The great and learned of other days have fully realised the limitations of human nature. Belief therefore in God is necess'ary for the happiness of mankind. “God rewards our belief in Him, ’ Mr. Dowle concluded. “When we seek Him we find Him; we ask and receive. All that come to God through Christ God rewards in mind, body and spirit. Thus he is prepared for the duties of life and glorious immortality.”