| Summary: | GUDMUNDSOX v. THINGVALLA LUTHERAN CHURCH 337 14 Pa. 205. And if there is in the record competent evidence in sup port of the findings of the trial court, we are powerless to set aside these findings, even though there may be much, and perhaps equally conclusive, evidence in opposition thereto. The learned trial judge found "that the Thingvalla Congregation was organized in 1889 as a Lutheran congregation, adhering to the doctrine and tenets of faith embraced by that denomination that the doctrine of plenary inspiration of the Bible was one of the fundamental doctrines of the faith of the Thingvalla Congregation at the time of its organization, and that the constitution of the Thingvalla Congregation at that time, and ever since, has presupposed and now presupposes that doctrine; that the defendants do not accept the doctrine of the plenary inspiration of the Bible, but at the time of the commencement of this action adhered to, and now do adhere to, a doctrine materially different, namely, that each individual may choose or reject portions of the Bible as inspired or as not inspired, and that the defendants have materially and fun damentally departed from the faith of the congregation which it held when organized in 1889, and which it has since held and now holds, and from the doctrines and tenets of faith of the said congregation as expressed in its constitution." Though much of the testimony of the defendants is directed towards showing the position of the Church of Iceland and even of Martin Luther himself toward the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the real question to be determined is the attitude of the Thingvalla Congrega tion at the time of the adoption of its constitution in 1889, and whether at that time the congregation, and the synod to which it belonged, be lieved in the plenary doctrine, and considered a belief in it to be nec essary and fundamental. Though there is evidence to the contrary, there is much in support of the findings of the trial judge, and such being the case this court, which is sitting merely as an appellate tribunal, in a law case cannot interfere therewith. Article 2 of the Constitution of the Thingvalla Congregation provid- «d: "That the word of God as it is revealed in the canonical Scrip tures is the true fountain and perfect law of the congregation in natters of doctrine, faith, and morals. 2. The congregation accepts the doctrines of Holy Scriptures in conformity with the Lutheran 29 N. D.—22.
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