There is a great deal of misconception concerning Evangelicalism. Many identify it, out of hand, with what they call “Low Churchmanship” and assume that its essence relates to an aversion to elaborate ceremonial, the wearing of vestments, etc. The difference between Evangelicalism and so-called Low Churchmanship goes much deeper than regard or disregard for ceremonial. There is a vital distinction in the matter of dogma. Arnold is often regarded as the founder of the Broad Church Party, but, in point of fact, the principle of so called non-dogmatic Christianity found expression much earlier and formed an important element in the school of Locke, ultimately developing into Deism.1 It would carry us far from our purpose to enumerate the various shades of opinion from the almost Unitarianism of Locke to the guarded tolerance of Tillotson and Stillingfleet, but it can be said with perfect truth that Low Churchmanship has developed from non-dogmatic Christianity, sometimes taking the form of indifference to ceremonial, but, in its higher aspects, embracing schemesof comprehension intended to abate sectarian jealousies and internecine strife amongstChristians or theists.
The Evangelical position is, however, quite distinct from this and ought never to be confused with it….
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