The Bible the Word by Clarence Santée

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1912

The Bible the Word

By Clarence Santée

CLARENCE SANTÉE

There is no book that in this day elicits more question and criticism than the Bible. While many are circulating it, and God, through these agencies, is leaving the world without excuse if its precepts are not obeyed, yet the larger number of those who love to see its copies scattered, reject many of its most direct and simple teachings. The creation, the flood, the books of Jonah, Esther, and Job, as well as other portions of the Bible, come in for total rejection, or for such reshaping as modern science and Higher Criticism may dictate.

The Scripture was given by inspiration of God. It is no common book with which men can lightly deal. God 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. 3:16, 17. “That the man of God may be perfect.” This is the declared reason for the inspiration of Scripture. No person can be made perfect by following an imperfect rule or pattern. Either the intent of God must fail, or perfection will come through obedience to that God-given Word that is brought so near to us in Christ. The Scriptures which Timothy had studied—the Old Testament—were able to make him wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. See 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

When Christ would prove his mission and work to the two disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus, we read: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27. There is the fountain of truth. He who would turn to the wisdom of men in seeking light and a basis for hope, will later find the truth of another statement of the Inspired Word: “They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jer. 2:13.

Even in the writing of the Scriptures, God has assured us that the unerring guidance of his Spirit was given. In 2 Peter 1:20, 21, I read: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” “Scripture,” or script, is that which is written. In this text we have the statement that in the Scripture, or writing, “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” This was also recognized in ancient time. “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me.” 1 Chron. 28:19.

The Scriptures are pure. “Every word of God is pure [“purified,” margin].” Prov. 30:5. God not only had the Scriptures written pure and unadulterated, but he has promised to keep them pure. “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them [“that is, every one of them,” margin] from this generation forever.” Ps. 12:6, 7.

In the language of an earnest writer and speaker, I would say:—

“My brethren, let the Word of God stand just as it is. Let not human wisdom presume to lessen the force of one statement of the Scriptures. The solemn denunciation in the Revelation should warn us against taking such ground.” — “Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V, page 711.”

Again: “Do we receive the Bible as the ‘oracle of God’? It is as really a divine communication as though its words came to us in an audible voice.” — Id., page 533.

Christ’s life was the embodiment of the “Word.” He is called the Word in John 1:1-4: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. . . . In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” “And his name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13, last part. His words are spirit (John 6:63), and the power of the Spirit is in them. The following scripture is a good illustration of this power: “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:6-9.

Not only were the worlds brought into existence by his word, but every change that brought this world from a state of chaos, “without form and void,” to a state of order, symmetry, and beauty, rested upon that never-failing power, “God said.” See Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11.

Notwithstanding that this Word is so far-reaching and powerful, we may clearly understand it. Men may deny this. They may mystify its teachings to many inquiring minds. But God has made his Word plain, and assures all who come to him earnestly desiring to know, that they shall know. Through John he says, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17. In Amos 3:7 he says: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” “Those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children.” Deut. 29:29.

With these assurances all may have courage. God’s Word becomes to each soul a lamp unto his feet, and a light unto his path. Ps. 119:105.