THE BUDDHA OF CHRISTENDOM

BBM Editor's Remarks

By the later years of the 19th century, the presumption of geologic ages and the "fact" of evolution had become the standard of the scientific world—and most of the theological world as well. Theologians were struggling to find a way to defend the literal 6-day perspective of the Genesis account of creation, and many sound biblical scholars were beginning to capitulate to the overwhelming and apparently "irrefutable evidence" that was being thrust upon them by the scientific community. The "gap theory" (to be distinguished from the "Creation-Renovation" model) and "day-age" theories became popular strategies promoted by many respected fundamental Bible teachers, including Dr. C. I. Scofield and Sir Robert Anderson himself.

In reading the explanations then offered, the reader must remember that these devoted servants of God did not yet enjoy the wealth of research—both scientific and biblical—that has become available to those of us in the 6-literal-days creation camp during the past century. To us, these original explanations are far from satisfactory, but, in those days, faithful believers saw them as a reasonable defense of the truth of scripture, while a large quarter of Christendom saw them as futile attempts to deny the victory of science over the former "superstition" of unimpeachable confidence in the general reliability of scripture, and this view had an immediate impact on the perspective of the national English Church.

This new debate only greased the wheels of the ever-increasing tendency in the Church of England to repudiate the principles of the Reformation. It was originally Roman Catholic, but it became independent of Rome as a result of the rebellion of Henry VIII. The Church retained much of its Catholic character, but Henry brought in leaders that introduced a number of Protestant reforms, which were strengthened by his successor, Edward VI. But Edward only reigned six years, and was replaced by Catholic "bloody Mary," who was determined to restore allegiance to the pope. During her reign, the English Reformation was fed by the blood of its martyrs, and eventually prevailed.

During Sir Robert Anderson's time, there was a strong effort from within to restore the English Church's relationship with Rome, and to re-introduce many of the practices of Roman Catholicism. The extent of their success will be evident by looking at the present spiritual condition of the Church of England and its American Episcopalian counterpart. It was to this larger issue that "The Buddha of Christendom" was addressed, and its applicability to the present situation among mainstream evangelicals in America is obvious.

This wonderful volume was originally published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1899 as The Buddha of Christendom—A Book for the Present Crisis, but was out of print within a few years. Apparently, the original title was as abrasive then as it is today, and the author may have seen a shift in the original purpose of the book, so, the book was extensively revised in 1908 and republished as The Bible or the Church?

We have found both of these books to be of incomparable value, and we hope you will enjoy, as we have, not only the brilliance of the author's mind, but the depth of his insight into the mind of God, and the reverence with which he defended the authority of God's Word.

RO

Preface

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