Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part one - His Battle for Trinitarianism against Arianism

The day following the death of Dr Henry Cooke the Belfast Newsletter announced that ‘A Prince of the church had fallen’ and carried an obituary which extended over four and a half columns. Henry Cooke was indeed a 'prince' in the church of Jesus Christ. He unashamedly was a Protestant, a Presbyterian and a Protagonist.

Dr Henry Cooke's greatest battle for truth and righteousness was fought on the issue of the person of Jesus Christ. There can never be a more important issue which relates to the Gospel than the person of Jesus Christ.  

Henry Cooke’s Contending for Trinitarianism 

Henry Cooke is probably best known for the part he played in ridding the Synod of Ulster of the Arians. As a result of his stand for Trinitarianism the Arians were forced to leave and set up an alternative Synod, known as the 'Remonstance Synod' and latter still known as the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

C S Lewis

In the clamour to eulogise C S Lewis, on the 50th anniversary of his death, it is worthwhile remembering what this man believed, or more to the point what he didn't believe. 

1. C S Lewis did not believe in the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. ". . . all Holy Scripture is in some sense – though not all parts of it in the same sense – the word of God." (Reflections on the Psalms). In a letter he wrote to Clyde Kilby, on 7th May 1959, he argued, "If every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights, then all true and edifying writings, whether in Scripture or not, must in some sense be inspired." 

One sympathetic Lewis scholar concluded that: "Lewis does not confine his religious views to the Bible but recognizes God’s revelation in literary masterpieces, in other religions, in ancient world myths, and through human reason and intuition. Christianity is true...not just because the Bible says so but because God chooses to reveal himself through many different ways, yet supremely through Christ," (Is C S Lewis in heaven? by John W Robbins).