What Made Him a Christian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

What Made Him a Christian

With growing frequency we are hearing the expression, “The church has been robbed of its infallible Bible.” The Higher Criticism is given credit for bringing about this condition, and accepts the “honor” with evident satisfaction.

At the same time this same Bible is accomplishing upon the hearts of men the same work that it was doing before its “fallibility” was discovered. This seems to be something of a paradox. We should expect that its powers as a searcher of hearts would wane with the acceptance of that great discovery by so many wise men. It does not, however. It is still the same discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, still the same light to guide those who wish to be guided, still plants in human hearts the same hope, and bears the same fruit in the lives of men and women. Strange that this should be so, in view of the “light” that is being thrown upon it by the wisdom of this world; but so it is.

Ratn Chand was an East Indian scholar, who had been trained by the most antichristian sect in India. He had spent three years in special preparation to antagonize Christianity. In order to do his work successfully, he took up a critical study of the Bible, that he might the better refute its teachings. But that Bible began to transform and master his life, and a few months ago he yielded, acknowledged Christ, and followed him in baptism. He has now gone back to his native province, and is helping to train young men for the service of Christ. Speaking of his experience, he held up a copy of the Word of God, and said, “This made me a Christian.”

Some men disbelieve the Bible; but that has not robbed the church or the world of “its infallible Bible,” nor can that change its eternal truths into falsehoods. The moth does not extinguish the arc light by fluttering about its globe; the tree does not obstruct the river by falling across it. The moth singes its wing; the tree dies; but the light shines on, and the river runs on. So is the Word of God—its power unabated, its truth saving and eternal.