A Ban On Singing Group
The group of young men, known all over the world as the Beatles, involved themselves recently in religious controversy. One of their number occasioned this by saying, among other things, that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ. American radio stations began banning these so-called singers. This action commenced in the Southern States of America. Whatever the real religious views of this opposition happened to be, their action was commendable. In South Africa later, the Beatles were also condemned. An interesting comment was made on the subject by a Danish Lutheran bishop. He agreed that the Beatles are more popular than Jesus Christ, for so, he said, was Barrabas, the robber, who went free while Christ was crucified. And this comment sums up this affair in relation to millions of young people and others. The blessed Lord Jesus is despised and worldly entertainers are idolised. Men are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Yet the statement by one of the Beatles was indeed blasphemous. Satan’s agents are bold.
The Eighth Commandment Violated
We read and hear and speak much about our national sins concerned with the violation of, say, the Fourth and Seventh Commandments. But the Eighth Commandment which states: “Thou shalt not steal,” is in the violation of it, a great national burden to those in authority. The Security Gazette in its annual survey for 1965 of losses by theft throughout the country records that property worth £12 million was stolen through criminal offences. This figure shows an increase of £8 million on the estimated figure for 1964. The police recovered only £8.5 million. This sin is committed by highly-organised gangs to petty pilferers. It is emphasised that these figures do not include fraud cases which are thought to involve very large sums of money. This information is a further light upon the fact that our national sins today include widespread transgression of all parts of the Moral Law. Dishonesty of all kinds and types has spread throughout a considerable section of the nation. And yet the term “sin,” in its full Biblical sense, is relegated to the background in the thinking of vast numbers of our people and in the teaching from many so-called Christian pulpits. A national day of humiliation and prayer was never more appropriate than now. But, after all is said and done, will those in authority agree? Our past experience has revealed that they are not interested in such a day.
Christian-Jewish Conference
A Conference was held at Cambridge in August purporting to encourage a better relationship between Christians and Jews. Some statements emanating from discussions leave the true New Testament Christian with the impression that the Conference was a fruitless affair. Resolutions and pronouncements by the Vatican Council (1965) and the World Council of Churches (1961) were brought into discussion. Even a statement by the notorious World Council of Churches denouncing anti-Semitism was said to give the impression that the primary motive for combating anti-Semitism was the desire to make Christian witness more acceptable to the Jews. Here is Jewish resentment against the faintest impression that they were being influenced toward the acceptance of the principles of the Christian faith.
Another point which was taken up about “dialogue” between Christians and Jews was, that both parties “should be especially sensitive in avoiding any attempt to undermine the beliefs of the participants.” The question surely must be asked: What is the purpose and end of such conferences? Are the Jews merely seeking this friendship of professed Christians to assist in their defence against anti-Semitism where and when it arises and to contribute to their establishment in comfort outwith the land of Israel? The true godfearing believer upon the Lord Jesus Christ abhors anti-Semitism; but at the same time is not prepared to hide his Christian light under a bushel in Jewish company. For professed Christians to confer with religious Jews and each to relegate their religious beliefs and practices to the background is tantamount to meeting as Humanists. We see no profit in all this, except maybe a desire to live amicably within the realm of the nation or in a community. The Apostle Paul expressed himself thus: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved” (Romans x: 6).
Jewish Rebuke to Anglican Churchmen
The Jewish Chronicle for 19th August, 1966, refers to criticism by some Church of England clergymen of the teaching of the Old Testament to children. This, says a Jewish teacher, makes it imperative that Jewish children be taught the Bible by Jewish people. It was also stated that it was important that parents should recognise their right to withdraw their children from Scripture classes in State schools. It was added: “Taught by non-Jewish teachers, their children could be subjected to wrong influences and implications.” Certainly non-Jewish teachers with erroneous views of the Old Testament, a part of the inspired Word of God, are a danger to Gentile children as well as Jewish. It is sad when men who maintain they are Christians are open to just criticism from those who still reject the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Jews and their Sabbath
The Christian Sabbath based wholly on the Fourth Commandment is of course observed now on the first day of the week, ever since the resurrection of our Lord from the grave on the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath is of course observed on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. The Jewish Glasgow Sabbath Observance Organisation is presently planning better synagogue attendances. And Rabbi Dryan has said that it was only through the synagogues that Judaism could survive. Therefore, he said, they must devote all their energy and enthusiasm to strengthen the observance of the Sabbath and to encourage attendances at synagogues on that day. We as Christians are confronted with the prospect of legislation being introduced to Parliament to give greater license to the people of Britain to turn more and more to the practice of vain and worldly pleasures on the Lord’s Day, and to actively engage in business on that day. This will inevitably be a means of undermining more than ever any respect for the House of God and the faith of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews see the value of their Sabbath observance and attendance on the synagogue, to retain a Christless and hopeless religion. Many on the professed Christian side are prepared to let the Christian Sabbath disappear, and the gospel of Christ will thus disappear increasingly, unless the Most High in His mercy will turn yet again to us in a day of the Holy Spirit’s power.