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Show David Utter III Common Sense - stating this revival theory of religion, In I have intimated of my objections to it. I once received it as a true theory of the universe, it was taught me in my childhood some and in my youth I preached it. Then there came a time when the whole scheme began to be offensive to my reason. I began to see that there not only could be, but actually were, good men in all churches and outside of all churches and religions. I was told that to think this was a suggestion of the devil and I prayed for faith to overcome all such wicked thoughts. But they would not [go] down at my bidding nor vanish in answer to my prayers. It seemed a simple con clusion backed by the common sense of the world, that if a used his man that it would find being in any reason better was more part of the world he would bad man, and that he a without Christ see do right than wrong, that such man satisfaction in being a good man than in to might see all this for himself any other teacher just as he would see the truth of the multiplication table. And if this was so and a led man or good a life of faith in Christ? But I was religion. human that I Common told that was reason. was naturally, sense answered common sense warned I would he be damned for lack was not to had depend told that the somehow corrupt, and so no. nothing to do with upon my poor fallible error was God was in my heart, permitting me to be led away into unbelief, according to the text, "They shall believe a lie and be damned, etc." [cf. II Thessalonians 11-12]. I gave these counsels full and fair consideration earnestly sought for that secret corruption of heart that was said to be causing my skepticism, but sought in vain. Not that I was faultless, but that there was no guarded or 2: and I 179 |
