MIRACLES 



Nippold, Pfleiderer, and other liberal Protestants) have 

 endeavored in various ways to obtain a certain recogni- 

 tion for the claims of progressive science, and reconcile 

 them with theology, while discarding the belief in the 

 miraculous. However, these rationalistic efforts, based 

 on monistic or pantheistic views, are still isolated and 

 apparently without effect. The great majority of 

 modern theologians adhere to the traditional teaching 

 of the Church, whose columns and windows are still 

 everywhere adorned with miracles. While a few liberal 

 Protestants restrict their faith to the three fundamental 

 dogmas, most of them still believe in the myths and 

 legends which fill the pages of the gospels. This ortho- 

 doxy is, moreover, encouraged of late by the conserva- 

 tive and reactionary attitude taken up by many govern- 

 ments on political grounds. 



Most modern governments maintain the connection 

 with the Church in the idea that the traditional belief 

 in the miraculous is the best security for their own con- 

 tinuance. Throne and altar must protect and support 

 each other. However, this conservative-Christian policy 

 meets two obstacles in an increasing measure. On the 

 one hand, the ecclesiastical hierarchy is always trying to 

 set its spiritual power above the seculai and make the 

 state serve its own purposes; and, on the other hand, 

 the modern right of popular representation affords an 

 opportunity to make the voice of reason heard and 

 oppose the reactionary conservatives with opportune 

 reforms. The chief rulers and the ministers of public 

 instruction, who have a great influence in this struggle, 

 generally favor the teaching of the Church, not out of 

 conviction of its truth, but because they think knowl- 

 edge brings unrest, and because docile and ignorant 

 subjects are easier to rule than educated and independent 

 citizens. Hence it is that we now hear so much on 

 every occasion, in speeches from the throne and at 



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