Some Internal Evidences of the Scripture Canon
Some Internal Evidences.—The foregoing article is based on the historical evidences of the correctness of the Scripture canon. That in the traditions that have come down to us there are expressed doubts concerning parts of the canon we are free to admit, and in fact should suspect them even from the learned. Jesus Christ and his mission were doubted even in the healing of the palsied and at the grave of Lazarus; and unbelief plotted to kill not only the Life-giver, but the one who was given life. What wonder then that there should be learned men in all ages who have attempted to crucify Christ in his truth! It may not be amiss, therefore, to consider briefly some of the internal tracings of the divine hand which sealed as genuine the present Scripture canon. A Great Touchstone.—There is one part of the Scripture canon concerning which there is historically no question, namely, the Pentateuch. Even the skeptical Sadducees, the higher critics of our Lord’s time, accepted that portion of Holy Writ. In the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament—is found the germ of all God’s promises and blessings to his people—the everlasting covenant—and the summary of all morality, the expression of God’s will—the Decalogue. In them we listen to God’s voice, see God’s mighty power, behold his wondrous love. These books therefore become a great touchstone by which to try all subsequent writings. The writings of Moses were so intimately connected with Christ and his work that to reject the former was to reject the latter. Jesus said: “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:46, 47. The writings of Moses became a great test of all subsequent writings. God’s Will.—God’s will is expressed in his holy law. (Ps. 40:7, 8.) That prophet who taught anything which led away from the worship of God, from obedience to the precepts of the Decalogue, was a false prophet, even though matters which he predicted came to pass. (Deut. 13:1–5.) Such a prophet was to be known to be false. Our Lord brings the same test as regards profession: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21. To this law all the prophets and writers of the Bible defer as the one standard. Jesus declared that it could not be changed or fail in one single jot or tittle. (Matt. 5:17–20; Luke 16:17.) To its observance he points as the way of life (Matt. 19:17), and in his own life that law was worked out in its fullness (John 4:34; 6:38). Tested by God’s law, the books of the Scripture canon stand. Christ and His Apostles.—As shown by Josephus, the authoritative Scripture canon of the Jews in Christ’s time is identical with our Old Testament. This collection is emphatically indorsed by Jesus3and the New Testament writers. Nearly three hundred times they quote from the Old Testament scriptures as authority without question; but they never quote from the Apocrypha. Over and over it is said, “It is written,” “as saith the Scriptures,” “as the Holy Ghost saith,” “the Holy Scriptures,” “the Scriptures can not be broken.” What greater indorsement do we want of the Old Testament, the Scripture canon in our Lord’s day? And the “New Testament” writings are the complement of the Old. They teach the same things, hold the same standard of morality, present the same Gospel, all of which are more fully developed. Prophecy.—Another great evidence of the divine stamp upon the Scripture canon is that furnished by the prophecies and their fulfillment. Read all the future history of the Hebrews, in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. Note the fulfillment of the prophecies of our Lord given in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2. Among the most remarkable books of the Bible are Daniel and the Revelation. The former is considered by the critics as among one of the most questionable books of the Old Testament canon, the latter of the New; and yet in the remarkable prophecies of these books the pen of divinity has traced the rise and fall of nations and the history of the church. He who desires may know this. Where the historical critics and carpers have found weakness, God himself has put strength. The Fruits.—Another great evidence of intrinsic authority of the book of God is the fruit which it has borne. The Bible has changed the face of the world. Although in sixty-six parts, it is, after all, one Book, one building. Brick by brick has the edifice risen, volume by volume has the Gospel of Jesus Christ grown; seemingly different purposes have been dominant in the minds of the writers, various qualities of tone have been heard from the instruments God used, yet nevertheless it is the product of the one Mind, the one Purpose, the one Musician; it is the one rule or canon. To all this its fruits—the great test of prophets, false and true (Matt. 7:15, 16)—have ever borne witness. Light, hope, cleansing, righteousness, life, gladness, joy, have sprung up wherever its seed has been sown. The Ultimate Test.—There is one more test of the authority of the Book of God, and that will never fail to any one. Jesus thus states it: “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God.” John 7:17, R. V. This may be said to pertain to the matter and not to the books themselves, but we reply that the books and the matter are so bound together that we can not separate them. He, therefore, who will with submissive heart and teachable spirit come to God’s word, that he may know and do the truth, will find light and life. The longing of his life will be met, his thirsty soul will be refreshed, his hungry heart will be fed, and he will rest satisfied in the love of God.