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REV. DR. WORKMAN STATES HIS VIEWS ============================== Hearing of the Ten-thousand-dollar Libel Suit. -------------------------------- REMARKABLE TESTIMONY. -------------------------------- Divinity of Christ a Matter of Doubt. -------------------------------- Tiie Virgin Birth, the Atonement, Original Sin, and Other Theological Questions Form Subject of His Examination. -------------------------------- (Special Despatch to The Globe.) Montreal, May 10.-- Rev. Dr. Workman was closely examined this afternoon regarding his theological views, in the course of a hearing on his $10,000 libel suit against the Wesleyan Theological College. Dr. Workman at first objected to this examination, claiming that his religious belief was not germane to the case, since he had formally denied the allegations made against him, and which had led to the loss of his position as a professor at the college. Judge Weir, however, held, that it was important that Dr. Workman should state his views on doctrinal points. He was examined regarding the virgin birth of Christ, and expressed the opinion that the contentions of Matthew and Luke that Joseph was the father of Jesus- were unhistorical, and declared that he had an open mind regarding the virgin birth, it being a question yet to be settled. With regard to the doctrine of the atonement, Dr. Workman said he did not regard the crucifixion as a propitiatory or expiatory act on the part of Christ, and that the effects of the atonement were on man, not God. As to the resurrection, Dr. Workman said he accepted it. But there were four theories as to whether Christ rose in his earthly body or in a spiritual body, all of which were left open to accept by the Methodist Church, the general view being that of a spiritual body. As to Christ having eaten bread and Ash after His resurrection, Dr. Workman was inclined to view this as allegorical, and this view, he contended, was not at variance with Methodist doctrines. He supported this by declaring that the writings of Duke on the subject did not concur with those of Paul, who was a theologian. Dr. Workman also combated the doctrine of original sin, declaring that children must be born innocent, since sin implied consciousness of wrong, which could not exist in a new-born. Doctrine of the Trinity. As to the doctrine of the Trinity, Dr. Workman said it had always been a moot question whether Christ was God or not, and that the Trinity referred to the tri-personality of God rather than God in three persons. [missing part] with regard to the Scriptures, Dr. Workman divided them into their divine element and the human, the former being inspired, but the latter open to laws of literary criticism. In any event he argued that a professor must be allowed more latitude than a preacher. The case will continue tomorrow.