Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 22, No. 8. August 3, 1959
Not Final
Not Final
Mr Thornley's second argument was that authority could be mediated through several channels. The Scriptures could not be accepted as final since their key was Jesus Christ.
"The Church is a secondary authority, a divine organisation but also a human fellowship. For 1900 years Christ has in-dwelt in the Church, but the human element can still not be removed.
"I believe it is impossible to get a right understanding of authority. The authority of Christ is not authoritarian or coercive and is not imposed or external."
It allowed and respected human freedom, for God did not override reason but guided reasoning capacity.
"We can never come to the point of absolute certainty. Christianity brings deep assurance but never final proof, as this would mean the end of life by faith."
—C.P.