The Christian Answer

Twice a year for the last decade, 25 of the best religious minds in the U.S. have been meeting for quiet weekends at the suburban Princeton (N.J.) Inn (or at Drew or Union Seminary) for "full, frank and leisurely exchange of ideas." Last week this group of teachers, pastors and seminary presidents, calling themselves "The Theological Discussion Group,"* published the results of their mental exchange: a small, powerful book called The Christian Answer (Scribner, $2.50).

When the theologians had begun their discussions, in 1935, skepticism and moral uncertainty were being met only by an equally negative countercurrent which asked men to "return to orthodoxy." Eventually the group selected five of its members to write what amounts to a manifesto of liberal protestantism.

Written for laymen, the book is designed primarily to reach thoughtful people who "stand somewhat outside the Christian tradition," but who are "moved by the events of our time" to inquire into it. To these people the theologians apologize for the "tragic faults" of dogmatic denominationalism, for credal, ritual and other church abuses. But "Christianity, despite the weakness ... of the churches, is indispensable to ... civilization."

Hence it was to "sincere, intelligent, courageous" nonchurchmen who "remain aloof" that the theologians earnestly cried last week: "Join us in the effort to correct these faults ... in the common task of Christianizing Christendom."

* Among other notables Union Theological's Henry ("Pit") Van Dusen, Reinhold Niebuhr, Princeton Seminary's John A. Mackay. Washington Cathedral's Angus Dun.

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