An Absurd Position Illustrated by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1866

An Absurd Position Illustrated.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

In trying to explain the prophecies and expound the Scriptures to the people, we are often met with the objection that the Bible is not designed to be all understood, especially the prophecies. When we get to Heaven it will all be explained and then we can understand them.

But we ask, What were the Scriptures given for? Was it not to guide us to Heaven? to point out the road and the dangers on each side? Certainly none will deny this. Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. cxix, 105.

Now let us suppose a similar case. A man starts for California by the overland route. He leaves his family behind intending to have them follow him when he has made the necessary preparation. He carefully examines the road, and notes the proper stopping-places for feed, water, &c., the dangers to be guarded against, the shortest routes, &c. After arriving at California he writes a long letter to his oldest son, giving him all these proper instruction how to conduct the family through. The son begins to read the letter, but finding some things which he does not readily understand, he folds up the letter and lays it away, saying, “I can not understand it now: I will wait till I get to California, and then father will explain it all!”

Who would not say that that son acted very foolishly? His father wrote the letter to tell him how to get to California; but he pays no attention to it till he gets there. Now though it is ever so plain it will do, him no good. The object of the letter is entirely defeated.

Precisely so with the Bible. Our heavenly Father has sent us this letter to tell us how to get to Heaven. If we have to wait till we get there before we can understand it, was it not written in vain? Most assuredly it was. If there is one chapter or sentence in the Bible which is not understood at sometime in this world, then that part was written in vain. It is absurd to suppose that God would send us a letter that we could never understand. Do not those who take the position that the Bible, or portions of it, can never be understood till we get to Heaven, ‘act the same as the foolish son in the above illustration? I think they do.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Skowhegan, Me.