The Bible Test

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 6, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 39.

(From “Ad Fidem,” by E. F. Burr, D.D.)

The Bible plainly teaches, profusely and throughout, that God will be found of those who seek Him; that they who do His will shall know of the doctrine of Jesus, whether it be of God; that He now commands all men everywhere to repent without postponement; that divine power has given to penitents all things that pertain to life and godliness through the power of Him who has called them to glory and virtue. You see how unreservedly the Bible puts itself in our hands.

Am I somewhat timid in saying this—lest some one should take advice, and seek relief by this experimental method, and then decide against the Bible and its fundamental teachings? Do not think it. I am just as brave in giving this method to you as the Bible is in giving it to me. It boldly stakes itself upon it. There is not a quaver of misgiving in its stately voice as it deliberately faces all horizons, and says in all tongues, Try it! It knows what the result will be. And I know. Faithfully tried, this method will not only answer the main religious questions for doubters, but will answer them as the Bible answers them. They will find a personal God. They will find a written revelation from Him. They will find in man an undone race, and in Jesus of Nazareth a divine Saviour. They will find repentance and faith linking sinners to the redeeming cross—a repentance and faith whose source is divine as well as human. I promise you that they will. I promise them speedy faith in all these things; not faith at its very ripest and royalest, perhaps, especially at the beginning; but genuine faith, faith sufficient for practical guidance, a faith so strong that one can reasonably base on it the conduct of a lifetime and the destinies of an eternity.