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Confession of1967 is new affirmation
By Louis Cassels United Press International
A new confession of faith, now in the process of adoption by one of America's largest Protestant bodies, provides an interesting answer to that question.
THE CONFESSION OF 1967. as it's called, is the result of seven years' hard work by leading theological scholars of the United Presbyterian Church. It was approved overwhelmingly by the church's recent general assembly at Boston and now is being circulated to 188 Presbyteries (regional units) for ratification.
If it receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Presbyteries—as it is virtually certain to do—it will become the first official statement of Presbyterian beliefs since the famous Westminster Confession was adopted more than 300 years ago.
Friday, June 24.1966 Summer Session Kansan
The Confession of 1697 does not repeal or supplant older summaries of Christian faith, such as the Apostles' Creed. It is intended to take its place alongside them as an expression of what the Christian faith means to this particular generation.
CONSERVATIVE PRESBYTEIANS have voiced some dismay about the new Confession because it does not say as much as they would like to say about the Bible. There also has been controversy over sections which condemn all kinds of racial barriers, affirm the church's responsibility to be concerned with social problems, and call upon Christians to work for peace "even at risk to national security."
But the prominence given to these issues in assembly debate should not mislead anyone into thinking that the new Confession is a radical document.
The really newsworthy thing about it is its strong reaffirmation of traditional Christian doctrines. By stating these doctrines in contemporary language, it emphasizes that they are not out of the
Church units list schedule
Protestant student groups including Methodist, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran. Disciples of Christ, Baptists, and KU-Y are uniting for an ecumenical program of worship, study, and discussion.
Sundays from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the Westminster Center, 1204 Oread, the group meets for worship, a 50-cent supper, and program. Sunday, June 26, Dr. Merrill Proudfoot will speak on the subject "How does the Bible fit our social reforms?"
There will also be three discussion groups throughout the week: Tuesday, 7:30 to 8:30 at Westminster Center, the Rev. Dick Dulin will lead an open discussion. Wednesday, 7 to 8 in Alcove A of the Union, Father Putthoff will lead a discussion on Protestant-Catholic relationships, and Thursday, 7:30 to 8:30 at McCollum Hall, a "Living Room Dialogue" on Christian unity will be held.
Friday evening, beginning at 8:30, the Fiery Furnace coffee house will be opened at Canterbury, 1116 Louisiana. All interested students are invited to share in any or all of the program.
AT THE OUTSET, the new Presbyterian Confession explicitly reaffirms the concept of a personal God and the doctrine of the Trinity, which some radical theologians have been eager to jettison.
dead past, but living truths which are relevant to everyday life here and now.
It then goes into what theologians call the Christological question: Who was Jesus, and what was His significance for us? Its answer is as clear and forthright as St. Paul's letters:
IN THE CRUCIFIXION, Jesus gave Himself freely for men and "took upon Himself the judgment under which all men stand convicted.
"Jesus Christ is God with man. He is the eternal Son of the Father, who became man and lived among us . . . in Him, God was reconciling the world to Himself . . . He is present in the church by the power of the Holy Spirit to continue and complete . . . the work of reconciliation."
"God raised Him from the dead,
vindicating Him as Messiah and
Lord . . . the risen Christ is the
savior for all men . . . to receive
life from Him is to have life
eternal; to refuse life from Him
is to choose the death which is
separation from God."
One passage attempts to describe what Christians mean by entering into a "new life in Christ."
"THE NEW LIFE does not release a man from conflict with unbelief, pride, lust, fear. He still has to struggle with disheartening difficulties and problems. Nevertheless, as he matures in love and faithfulness in his life with Christ, he lives in freedom and good cheer, bearing witness on good days and evil days." He finds strength for each day in the "confidence that God's purpose rather than man's schemes will finally prevail."
The conservative magazine Christianity today commented editorially this week that the new confession is "not a victory for either the right or the left." That seems to be a fair appraisal. There are some phrases and sentences in this 1,500-word document that conservatives won't like, and some that liberals won't find to their taste.
But in the essential orthodoxy of its affirmations, the confession of 1967 is much closer to John Knox than to John Robinson.
Hardy's work is subject of Orel book
"Thomas Hardy's Personal Writings: Prefaces, Literary Opinions, Reminiscences," edited by Harold Orel, will be published June 27 by the University of Kansas Press.
The book brings together previously uncollected miscellaneous materials, including Hardy's prefaces to his own works and to the works of other authors, his reminiscences and personal views, and his comments on that part of England which in his fiction he made peculiarly his own. Included is a summary of less significant minor writings.
Most of his contributions to periodicals have concerned Victorian and modern British literature. He also has been active in the American Committee on Irish Studies.
Orel, the editor, a professor of English at KU, is the author of "Thomas Hardy's Epic-Drama: A study of THE DYNASTS" and editor of "The World of Victorian Humor."
Prepared after an extended study of Hardy's publications, as well as his annotated manuscripts, this collection contributes to understanding of Hardy's literary achievement, as well as of his rugged personality and his views on life and art. The book will later be brought out in England by Macmillan and Company, publishers of many of Hardy's works during his lifetime.
Woodruffs on trip to Pacific Northwest
Dean and Mrs. Laurence C. Woodruff left last weekend for a trip through the Pacific Northwest. The Woodruffs have made no specific plans as to when they will return to Lawrence, other than to name July as a probable returning date. Woodruff is dean of students.
Emily Taylor, dean of women, left Wednesday for a trip of undetermined duration to the New England and northern Atlantic states. Dean Taylor will be joined by her sister in Oswego, N.Y., for the trip.
Wins geology award
Lawrence L. Brady, graduate student from Topeka, has received the Standard Oil Co. of Texas Fellowship in Geology for 1966-67. The fellowship, which is open to students pursuing the master's degree, provides a stipend of $1800-$2400, plus tuition and general fees.
'How to Succeed' is sparkling musical hit
By Dan Austin
As the first offering of the 1966 season, the Starlight Theatre's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" sparkles.
Moving suicidly through the two acts, the Pulitzer Prize-winning production centers around the rapid rise of J Pierpont Finch (played by young Broadway actor Hal England) from windowwasher to chairman of the board of the mythical World Wide Wickets, Inc.
ENGLAND, JOINED BY veteran actor Don Ameche as J. B. Biggley, president of Wickets—and Kansas City favorite Dean Dittman—as Frump, Biggley's
nefarious but bumbling nephew— give the professional touch to the musical farce.
Choreography, executed by mostly local talent, is smooth. One dance number, "The Yo Ho Ho." smacks faintly of the famed Rockettes. However, the musical snow-stopper is "The Company Way," a satire on the American corporate hierarchy.
Win Ham scholarships
George W. Livingston of Plainville and Carol S. Coffman of Stockton have received W. B. Ham scholarships of $250 for 1966-67 at the University of Kansas.
Sizzled to perfection through a new taste-pleasing process, our chicken is the "perfect change" from week-day campus fare. Top it off with our tender french fries and an extra thick malt.
Just Drive-In to Dixon's Eat Inside or Out
2500 W. Sixth
VI 3-7446
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