union avenue christian church |
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A Modern Approach “With the beginning of 1907 the International Sunday School Lessons Committee began once more a seven-year course through the Bible starting with Genesis,” writes Dr. Philputt in his memoir. “Up to this time the teaching in our Sunday school had followed the old traditional views of the Bible.” It was Dr. Philputt who nudged Union Avenue into examining the Bible in new ways — consistent with modern scholarly interpretation. “I was not only convinced of the correctness of modern historical study of the Bible but also of its importance to our many young college students who were getting the modern point of view in the universities. I accordingly ‘took my courage in hand’ and preached a series of sermons on the Book of Genesis, setting forth the findings of reverent modern scholarship,” Dr. Philputt wrote. These sermons and the Sunday school lessons that accompanied them were received with great interest by the members of the church as well as members of the community. The “modern” teachings of Dr. Philputt created such a stir that the St. Louis newspapers requested copies of his sermons for publication. “This brought them to the attention of Professor McGarvey, at Lexington, Kentucky, self-appointed and staunch defender of our faith,” Dr. Philputt reported. “I was thus in the limelight for several weeks and came in for no small amount of criticism both in our church papers and through the mails.” In this way, Union Avenue became a leader in exploring the Bible in new and “modern” ways, combining both faith and reason. “So it was that early in its history this great church got the forward look and the modern point of view which it has preserved and which has been no small factor in its marvelous success,” wrote Dr. Philputt. more Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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