V. Spiritualism Equated With Christianity Till Constantine

1. ASSERTS EARLY CHRISTIANITY WAS SPIRITUALIST

Peebles made such an amazing claim for Spiritualism, on an unprecedented expositional basis, that his assumptions thereon must be examined. As mentioned, Peebles steadfastly maintained that the crass pagan “spiritism” of the centuries—of India, Africa, Oceanica, et cetera, whose peoples likewise believe in “spirit communication”—is “NOT Spiritualism.” On this he is emphatic and unchanging. The two are in mortal conflict. It is the latter, he insists, that provides the “key that unlocks the mysteries of the ages.” ^{3131) J. M. Peebles, “Spiritism Is NOT Spiritualism,” Centennial Book, p. 115.} This he further defines as “religious” Spiritualism. And he boldly maintains that the Christianity of the first three centuries of the Christian Era was actually Spiritualist in essence. Note it closely:CFF2 1118.4

“Spiritualism, with its signs, wonders, visions, and healing gifts was the religion of the Apostles; of the post-apostolic fathers, and the primitive Christians up to the reign of Constantine.” ^{3232) Ibid. (Italics supplied.)}CFF2 1119.1

In other words, as claimed by many leading Spiritualists, as well as by Peebles, Christ and the apostles were allegedly mediums, with the upper room of Pentecost really a seance chamber, and the religion of the Early Church virtually identical with the recently revived Modern Spiritualism. That is a tremendous assumption. But it is a totally unsubstantiated claim. Nevertheless, it is the premise for Peebles’ unsound conclusions to come.CFF2 1119.2

2. MODERN SPIRITUALISM ALLEGED REVIVAL OF “APOSTOLIC” CHRISTIANITY

In support of his own claim that Modern Spiritualism is the revival and restoration of characteristic early Christianity, Peebles quotes from British Spiritualist Dr. B. F. Austin:CFF2 1119.3

“‘Spiritualism is a revival of that Christianity which centered around and in that ideal Man of Palestine. It is a revival of the Spiritual, so alive and so potent, in Apostolic times.’” ^{3333) Peebles, The Demonism o/ the Ages, p. 335.}CFF2 1119.4

Peebles elsewhere cites Dr. Crowell similarly to the effect that “Primitive Christianity and Modern Spiritualism” are one “in essence and purpose.” ^{3434) Ibid., p. 330.} But he goes further.CFF2 1119.5

3. CHRIST’S PREDICTED “SIGNS” APPLIED TO SPIRITUALIST PHENOMENA

Peebles claimed that Spiritualism is the fruition, the fulfillment, the “complement of Christ’s Christianity.” And he applies Christ’s prediction of numerous “signs” to come, to the phenomena of Spiritualism: “It [Spiritualism] is the rounding up, the filling out, or the fulfilling of the Nazarene’s prophetic words, ‘These signs shall follow them that believe,’ ‘and greater works than these shall ye do’ And ‘lo, I am with you always,’ He exclaimed, ‘even unto the end of the world.’” ^{3535) Ibid, p. 378.}CFF2 1119.6

That is the authority presumptuously invoked for the phenomena of Spiritualism.CFF2 1120.1