Wresting Scripture by JOS. CLARKE.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1875

Wresting Scripture.

By JOS. CLARKE.

NOTHING is more common than to turn the Scriptures from their true meaning, for the varied purposes of controversy and debate, or for sport and ridicule, or to prop up old, decayed causes, sects, and popular doctrines. But of all misrepresentations, none are more dangerous than the effort to oppose reform among the people of God at this time, by attempting to break the force of such scriptures as call for attention, study, and obedience, and the attempt to turn from their true sense such passages as seem to be capable of being bent and twisted out of shape.

Thus, when the attention is called to the claims of the fourth precept of the decalogue, many say that the Old Testament is of no force in this dispensation, and to prove this, they quote, thus: “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The objector cannot tell where this is to be found but is confident that it is truly Scripture. Now turn to 2 Cor. 5: 17, and read as follows: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This text is introduced by the word “therefore,” and is connected with remarks in the preceding verses which refer to acceptance with God (verse 9), appearing at the judgment seat (verse 10), persuading men, while knowing the fear of the Lord (verse 11), of sincere labors (verses 12, 13), of the love of Christ and his death (verses 14, 15), and of the necessity of a knowledge of Christ’s office and work (verse 16); and in no one of these texts is there any especial allusion to any particular part of the Bible, but they teach the necessity of a living faith in Christ, and show the great change it produces in the character of men (verses 1–8).

In making the application of the text: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,” Paul proceeds, in verses 18–21, to speak of the necessity of being reconciled to God by the death of his Son; and in an outburst of love, he exclaims in verse 20: “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” In verses 18 and 19 he speaks distinctly of God’s reconciling men to himself by Jesus Christ. All of this chapter (2 Cor. 5), is closely connected, by the words, therefore, and, now, then, for, therefore, if, and similar connectives, showing beyond any doubt that it is a connected whole.

Where, then, is the evidence that this expression, “old things are passed away,” means that the Old Testament is an obsolete affair? Ah! it is a base wresting of Paul’s words to say so; for Paul here speaks of putting on the new man at conversion, and putting away the works of the carnal heart.

This new man is spoken of again in Galatians 6: 15: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” The character which a new creature would develop is made clear by reference to 1 Cor. 7: 19: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God”—the commandments written by the finger of God upon tables of stone.

Now with such evidence as this, who would be so foolish and wicked as to quote the text, “old things are passed away,” &c., as applying to the good old Bible which was the Bible in Paul’s day, the only Bible, as the New Testament was yet unwritten.

The above is only a single instance among many, and is cited as an illustration of the many shifts made by people to ward off the claims of God’s law, for which purpose many passages are wrested from their real meaning.

JOS. CLARKE.