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Fundamentals of Christian Education
long presented human ideas before the people, that the teaching of
Christ was in every way opposed to their theories and practice. His
sermon on the mount virtually contradicted the doctrines of the self-
righteous scribes and Pharisees. They had so misrepresented God that
He was looked upon as a stern judge, incapable of compassion, mercy,
and love. They presented to the people endless maxims and traditions
as proceeding from God, when they had no “Thus saith the Lord” for
their authority. Though they professed to know and to worship the true
and living God, they wholly misrepresented Him; and the character
of God, as represented by His Son, was as an original subject, a new
gift to the world. Christ made every effort so to sweep away the
misrepresentations of Satan, that the confidence of man in the love of
God might be restored. He taught man to address the Supreme Ruler
of the universe by the new name—“Our Father.” This name signifies
His true relation to us, and when spoken in sincerity by human lips, it
is music in the ears of God. Christ leads us to the throne of God by a
new and living way, to present Him to us in His paternal love.—
The
Review and Herald, September 11, 1894
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