1988

Anniversaries and centenaries command interest, some more than others. This coming year sees the commemoration of third and fourth centenaries of events in English history which were of far-reaching significance. In the year 1588 the Spanish Armada was woken up and dispersed, and in the year 1688 James II, a Roman catholic, gave place to William and Mary, Protestants. The Spanish Armada was an expression of Romish dislike for Reformed England, and for the Protestant sovereign on the English throne. It was an attempt, by means of external forces to reassert the power of Rome in this land. The events of 1588 and 1688 showed the same forces at work against England and English Protestantism, although they were manifested in different ways, and defeated by different

Should we, in 1988, refuse to commemorate these events? There are suggestions in many quarters that we should. The same attempts were made to smother history in forgetfulness in 1888. It is true that we cannot re-fight old battles, that we can gain little from mere nostalgia, and less from attempts to garnish the tombs of the prophets whom God raised up to declare His truth in 1588 and 1688. We have moved a long way from the atmosphere of even one century ago. We have seen armies and invasions replaced by the ecumenical movement, a thing well-intentioned in its origins in the opening years of the twentieth century, but disastrous in its developement since the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948. We have seen the development of the charismatic, restorationist, and renewal movements, first employing the communist tactic of the infiltration of established Christian churches, then of abandoning them altogether. We have seen the coalescence of Rome, Protestantism (commonly so-called), and the Charismatics in one pretended unity that regards the Protestant Reformation as the greatest mistake of history, and vows to reverse it by a final capitulation to the see of Rome. ‘Sola ScriptureÂ’ is replaced by ecclesiastical manipulation or charismatic infiltration. Some who long for the revival of the Church of Christ in England have fallen for the counterfeit. Today’s scene is one of near-total confusion. Yet the issue is still the same: Is authentic, orthodox, historic Christianity the religion of Christ alone, Scripture alone, Faith alone. Grace alone, and to the glory of God alone? – or is it not? By this standard, much that bears the Christian name is false, counterfeit, and suspect. This is what comes of forgetting history. By all means, let us refresh our memories on the events of 1588 and 1688, and then let us go still further back to the prophets and the apostles on which the Church of Christ is built, even to “Jesus Christ the chief corner stone.” Isaiah’s advice is good: “Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn, and unto the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”

K. W. H. Howard