THE FATHERS AND THE BIBLE.
By D. T. Bourdeau
1. We should not go to the Fathers, to establish a doctrine that is not found in the Bible; else the Bible is not a sufficient rule of faith, and Protestants have erred in receiving it as such. 2. The Fathers contradict each other, and often contradict themselves. Hence, to use the language of Adam Clarke, “we should take heed how we quote the Fathers in proof of the doctrines of the gospel; because he who knows them best, knows that on many of those subjects they blow hot and cold.” 3. Many of the Fathers had been heathen philosophers, and retained some of their heathen notions, blending them with Christianity. Hence it is that, 4. By their writings you can prove many of the doctrines of Papacy. 5. Many productions that are attributed to them by some, are forgeries. They cannot be traced to the persons whose names they bear, and many of them cannot be traced to the ages in which they purport to have been written. 6. Some of their writings have been garbled and interpolated in the dark ages by Roman Catholics to suit their purposes; so that upon the whole, 7. It is safe to follow them only so far as they agree with the Bible. 8. The Bible as a sufficient rule of faith and practice, thoroughly furnishes us unto all good works, showing us how the primitive church believed and practiced, and how the church in this age should live; while genuine history, whether from the Fathers or some other source, shows us how the church has lived. The Scriptures teach that the mystery of iniquity, or Man of Sin, commenced to work in Paul’s time, and that errors were to be taught and received at an early age, 2 Thess. ii, 7; Acts xx, 28–32; 2 Tim. iv, 1–4; Jude 3; so that if history proves that this has happened, it only confirms the truth of the Bible, and shows that the church has erred in departing from the truth. But when history, treating on the times of our Lord and his apostles, states facts respecting the faith and practice of the primitive church, which are contrary to the teachings of God’s word, then may it be safely pronounced spurious.