The B.B.C. Rejects Criticism
The British Broadcasting Corporation’s Report for 1963-64, was published last November and in it, Television plays which have been rightly criticised by people who have the moral welfare of the nation at heart, are supported. The Report says: “Criticism will not make the B.B.C. abandon its policy of presenting established plays by established playwrights about the problems of sex and violence in human relations, which have been the very staff of drama since it was first written.” These are defiant words and appear to proceed from a dictatorial spirit, with a sense of power and liberty to ignore religious and moral objections to most undesirable entertainment on television. And the writers, whose undesirable work is bought and paid for by the B.B.C., are defended and encouraged in the Report, as follows:—”Nor will it change the B.B.C.’s belief that serious writers of to-day must be allowed to say freely what they feel about the society in which they live.” Serious, weighty objections by people and organisations of religious standing are surely entitled also to influence and weigh with the B.B.C. Are modern writers the only people, in this connection, who are to be considered? They are to be allowed to say freely what they feel about society. If what these writers feel about society was according to the divine light of Holy Scripture and in support of the moral law and the honour of God—would the B.B.C. buy and produce their works? And after all the B.B.C. is not a private concern: taxpayers money is involved and quite a number of these detest the policy of the B.B.C. which they seem determined to carry out.
Lack of Conviction in the Church of Scotland
The Rev. Joseph Shillinglaw, Church of Scotland Minister, St. Stephen’s Church, Perth, celebrated his 91st birthday in 1964. He is believed to be the oldest active Church of Scotland Minister. He, with all his experience had this to say in an interview with Neville Garden of “The Daily Express”: “The problem with the Church of Scotland today is that there is often a lack of conviction in what it is doing. It is trying to take the easy way out, the line of least resistance, instead of preaching the Gospel’s message. Nowadays too many ministers are afraid to come right out and say anything of importance. They are afraid they offend anyone in the congregation . . . it is harming the Church badly.” We know the above to be only too true. Of course men who have no spiritual, saving experience of the truth and the Gospel, cannot have anything vital to say to their fellow-sinners. Thousands are being deceived with that which is no gospel.
Vatican Council Revolt
One reputable Scottish paper used the term “revolt” in its account of the debate at the close of the Vatican Council on religious liberty. It was reported that an open revolt, led by American bishops, broke out on Thursday, 19th November, 1964, when orders were announced blocking votes on an eagerly-awaited declaration on religious liberty. A protest petition was rejected by the Pope. The declaration involved was said to answer requests that the Church of Rome should once and for all remove any grounds for accusations that it worries about religious liberty only when it finds itself in a minority. The fact is that Rome has always had the effrontery to demand religious liberty, as in Britain, where she is in a minority. But no real liberty for Protestants in Spain! No wonder American bishops, with their modern American R.C. congregations, possessing the modern American outlook, are worried about the Vatican attitude from the dark ages, which will not allow that Protestants should be permitted full liberty to carry on their religious activities, where and when Rome has the power to restrict and suppress such. It appears that the unity claimed for the Church of Rome, does not exist. And it never did, as there have been factions within its borders down through the centuries. At one time there were rival Popes.
Confession Suggestion for Glasgow Cathedral
The assistant minister of the Church of Scotland, Glasgow Cathedral, recently suggested that the Church of Scotland should make provision for Confession. If we are not mistaken, the Confession in view is to be after the Romish pattern. The senior minister, Rev. Dr. Neville Davidson thinks that the belief of younger ministers in the need of Confession might arise from “the knowledge they have gained of psychology.” What utter nonsense in the light of the Holy Scriptures! If these men would preach law and gospel to their fellow-sinners in Glasgow Cathedral and elsewhere, and if the Holy Spirit would bless this to precious souls, then there would be real confession of sins to God, through the divine High Priest, Jesus Christ, and a seeking the forgiveness of God through the merits of Christ’s blood. But these men do not seem to have the least notion of true gospel doctrine and experience. Thus they are looking for something new to introduce to a backsliding Presbyterian Church; and they are looking backwards to what the Reformation delivered Scotland from centuries ago, and the people are indifferent: may the Lord soon awaken Scotland.