CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: Spiritualism in Basic Conflict With Christianity

I. Repudiates All Fundamentals of the Christian Faith

1. BASED ON INTERNAL, NOT “EXTERNAL,” REVELATION

Spiritualist Ernest Thompson, in his History of Modern Spiritualism (1948), in setting forth Spiritualism as the “new science” of psychics, presents it as “a fundamentally different spiritual approach to God, human destiny and morality.” He frankly states that Spiritualism is “contradictory to orthodox beliefs.” He expressly states that while it is “primarily a religious movement,” it “differs from orthodox religions chiefly because it is basically a spiritual revelation from within.” It does not, he adds, receive its authority from “external” revelation; that is, its credentials are not from the inspired canon of Scripture.CFF2 1092.1

Thompson then makes the further claim that “it is not a religion, it is religion.” This, he admits, is in “direct opposition to the attitude of orthodoxy which condemns spirit communications, an biblical authority, as the work of the Devil.” ^{11) Ernest Thompson, The History of Modern Spiritualism (1948), pp. 11, 12.} In the light of these declarations let us note some of the basic conflicts, inevitable because of repudiating the fundamental provisions of the Word and the gospel. First listen to Conan Doyle.CFF2 1092.2

2. DOYLE DENIES SIN, FALL, ATONEMENT, REDEMPTION

The gravely antievangelical and indeed anti-Christian character of Spiritualism is revealed in the following statement from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of its prominent British protagonists. Writing in the American Metropolitan Magazine in 1918, he boldly asserts:CFF2 1093.1

“One can see no justice in a vicarious sacrifice, nor in the God who could be placated by such means. Above all, many cannot understand such expressions as the ‘redemption from sin,’ ‘cleansed by the blood of the lamb,’ and so forth.... Never was there any evidence of a fall. But if there were no fall, then what became of the atonement, of the redemption, of original sin, of a large part of Christian mystical philosophy?” ^{22) Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, in Metropolitan Magazine, January, 1918, p. 69.}CFF2 1093.2

This is a common declaration an the part of the most prominent of the Spiritualist fraternity, and it is a frequent utterance among its leading writers. This contention is officially sanctioned, in principle, in their official Manual and in the current N.S.A. Year Book, both of which, in the “Interpretation” of the “Declaration of Principles,” state that “remorse” for sin “can only be relieved by the individual’s own efforts if not here, then in the hereafter.” ^{33) Spiritualist Manual (1955), p. 36; N S A. Year Book (1961), p. 8.}CFF2 1093.3

3. CLAIMS THAT SALVATION COMES FROM WITHIN, NOT WITHOUT

In 1908, an the “60th anniversary of Modern Spiritualism,” Dr. Hiram Corson, professor emeritus of English literature at Cornell University, similarly said that SpiritualismCFF2 1093.4

“‘is destined to transform, if not, perhaps, in time, do away with, theology, which has been maintained by a hierarchy, and to make THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT the all in all in religion, as it was the all in all with the founder of Christianity. Jesus taught Salvation comes from WITHIN, not from without. There could be no such thing, in the nature of things, as a vicarious atonement for the sins of the world. Man can be AT ONE with the Universal Spirit only through his own spiritual vitality. That alone is Salvation.’” ^{44) Centennial Book, p. 50. (Italics supplied.)}CFF2 1093.5

4. THOMPSON REPUDIATES ATONEMENT, GRACE, FORGIVENESS

That Spiritualism is alien to the very essence of the Protestant principles of justification by faith and salvation by grace is likewise attested by Thompson in this startlingly frank declaration that “our spiritual progress is only the net result of our own efforts, and that our sins cannot be forgiven or remitted by the vicarious atonement of a Saviour.” ^{55) Ernest Thompson, op. Cit., p. 12.}CFF2 1093.6

5. “MANUAL”—FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH OPTIONAL

Nevertheless, despite these declarations, attempted scriptural support for Spiritualism is sought in the Year Book and Manual by citing 1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7-10, 28; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 31, 32, 39, and other texts. ^{66) N. S. A. Year Book p. 15 Spirtualist Manual, pp 167, 168.} And an attempt is constantly made to identify Biblical incidents with the phenomena of Spiritualism. Moreover, the well-known position that Spiritualism embodies “the foundation stones of all ancient faiths” is attested by the intermingled quotations from Zoroaster, Moses, Homer, Plato, Buddhaand Jesus, the latter being just one in the assemblage of illustrious religious figures through the ages.CFF2 1094.1

Total repudiation of the fundamentals of the Christian faith is provided for in that a Spiritualist may, if he chooses, “omit the tenets of the Christian Church,” and in the further official declaration that there is no “vicarious atonement,” as “each must work out his own salvation.” ^{77) Spiritualist Manual, p. 189.} Each makes his own atonement. Note the supporting evidence.CFF2 1094.2

Denies actual judgment, Resurrection, Second Advent.CFF2 1094.3