p. 157 | How False Doctrines Are Perpetuated

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1874

How False Doctrines Are Perpetuated.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THAT the doctrines of the seventh-day Sabbath, the sleep of the dead, the destruction of the wicked, &c., are plainly taught in the Bible, the majority of our hearers readily admit; but the great wonder with them is, If these things are so, why have not learned ministers and commentators found them out before now? Over this stumbling-stone, thousands have fallen. Instead of going to the Bible for themselves, they go to what others have taught about it. And herein lies the root of the evil. For those very men on whose previous investigations they now rely, have simply copied from others before them, and they in turn from their predecessors, each presuming that the one before him has thoroughly investigated the subject, while the fact is that none of them have. Rev. Lyman Abbott, in the Christian Union, makes some forcible remarks on this subject which are worthy of consideration, especially by those who are laying aside the word of God for the traditions of men.

“There are many instances in which the Biblical commentators appear to have derived their ideas respecting Scripture teaching from previous scholars in the same field; the same thought is often traceable from generation to generation, from ancient father to English divine, and thence to our latest Sunday-school commentary. And sometimes, just as counterfeit bills pass unquestioned because they are well worn, erroneous interpretations pass current in the Christian church, without ever being subjected to a careful scrutiny; because each new student takes it for granted that the student who has preceded him, and from whom he receives the interpretation, has done this work of investigation, and he only needs to report the results.”

I have seldom seen more truth stated in so few words. This ought to open the eyes of those who are hanging their faith on what some one else has said. Look for yourself, and walk in the light which God has given you.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Woodland, Cal., April 5, 1874.