The Bible Only by W. W. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1909

“The Bible Only”

By W. W. P.

IN just that proportion that we put some other authority in place of the Scripture, to the same degree do we become feeble and uncertain in our Christian experience. There is no exposition of the Bible that can take the place of the Bible itself. There are no helps to the study of the Bible that can profitably be substituted for the Bible itself. We need, therefore, to be often reminded of the inspired estimate placed upon the Sacred Writings:—

“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.

In the earlier history of Protestantism, the Bible was more generally recognized as the only reliable repository of truth, and as a sufficient rule of faith and practise. As illustrating this fact and as containing instruction valuable at the present time, we take the following from the “Homilies of the Church of England,” “almost unknown to the multitudes of the present time, which were written and published by authority, and designed not merely to be perused in private, but also to be read in the churches by such ministers as have no gift for preaching.” The opening words are these:—

Unto a Christian man there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of Holy Scripture, forasmuch as in it is contained God’s true word, setting forth his glory and also man’s duty. And there is no truth nor doctrine necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation but that is or may be drawn out of that fountain and well of truth. Therefore as many as be desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God, must apply their minds to know Holy Scripture; without the which they can neither sufficiently know God and his will, neither their office and duty. And as drink is pleasant to them that be dry and meat to them that be hungry, so is the reading, hearing, searching of Holy Scripture to them that be desirous to know God, or themselves, and to do his will. . . . Let us reverently study and read Holy Scripture, which is the food of the soul. Let us diligently search for the well of life in the books of the Old and the New Testament, and not run to the stinking puddles of men’s traditions, devised by men’s imaginations for our justification and salvation. For in Holy Scripture is fully contained what we ought to do, and what to eschew, what to believe, what to love, and what to look for at God’s hand at length.

The teachers of the message for this time who lay much stress upon the Scriptures as the only source of true doctrine, owe it to themselves and to the people whom they instruct, to make such a study of the Scriptures that they shall be able to draw from this storehouse of truth, clear and convincing proofs for every position taken, and every doctrine inculcated. There surely needs to be one religious body in the world holding constantly to the Protestant principle: “The Bible, the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants.”

W. W. P.