CAN I BE A CHRISTIAN?
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] Si,—The writer of "Can I be a Christian ?—VII," described a state of mind which is still immature, and rather uncomfort- able, but sincere, honest, earnest and unpretentious. And then she calls it "a deplorable state of compromise" and expects to be "rated for our lack of faith " ! As a minister of religion, I ask, Why ? Is it "compromise " to acknowledge difficulties ? Is it "lack of faith" to face them ? The only wrong sort of compromise would be for her to persuade herself into accepting ready-made solutions which do not honestly satisfy her. The only serious lack of faith would be for her to give up seeking for herself and look to some imposing
ecclesiastical organisation to give her "an authoritative state- ment that one could hang on to as a rock of security." Has she enough faith to go on believing that God is found of those who seek Him and is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth ?
But she needs, like all of us, the help of comradeship. That is why it is pitiful that, though shc feels kinship with the heretics of the past, she applies the term "endless monotony " to "the story of their struggles and puzzles." Surely the only monotonous feature in the story of heretics is the way in which they were treated by respectable churchmen. She herself twice cites Abelard, who was censured for heresy in his life- time (and it is significant that he is the only theologian whom she cites). Perhaps she might get further help from other heretics. For instance, as an historian, she might look into the trial of Michael Servetus and the controversy to which it gave rise, especially the part played by Sebastian Castellio : it is an episode which raises the most vital questions as to the nature of Christianity. And was not Jesus a heretic to the men of his day ?
For many people, the question, "Can I be a Christian ? " resolves itself into the practical challenge "Have I sufficient faith to bear my part in the noble army of heretics ? "—Yours, FRANCIS TERRY.
Westgate Manse, Nevin Road, Lewes, Sussex.
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