The Bible Rejected by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 7, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 30.

The Bible Rejected.

By Editor

THE tendency of the age is not flattering to those who are looking for the conversion of the world, or who claim that the world is growing better. A spirit of lawlessness largely prevails; and this seems to pervade all classes, not even excepting members of churches. So far from thinking that we hazard anything in this declaration, we sincerely believe that certain positions taken by most of the churches of the day lead to the very state of things which we deplore.

Observing men, spiritually-minded men, of all denominations, have expressed their convictions and their regret that there are many superficial conversions in this generation. The "revivals" do not lead to self-denial and cross-bearing; the converts mostly remain selfish and worldly, and follow the world in the paths of fashion and folly. Indeed, worldly fashions and methods are adopted by the churches to carry on their work. This is seen in their sociables, festivals, games of hazard, and almost every imaginable folly, to raise funds.

They who have come up in the present generation cannot realize it, as there is nothing within the range of their observation and experience with which to contrast it. But old revivalists of thirty or forty years ago lamented it, and almost every religious paper noted it. Professor Finney, than whom no one was better known as a revivalist, gave a reason for it, and we have ever thought that he was correct in his judgment. He said it was because of the growing practice of preaching the gospel without the law. Inasmuch as the Scriptures declare that "By the law is the knowledge of sin," Mr. Finney said that no thorough conviction of sin was produced by such preaching; that salvation was made easy to the sinner's conscience.

And what was true in his day is true to a still greater extent at present. If the error was negative—one of neglect—then, it is positive—one of intention—now. The law is not only neglected now; it is impugned; it is largely repudiated as Jewish, obsolete, superseded, abolished. There is a growing disrespect for the Old Testament. And this is true even among those whose church constitutions are utterly opposed to such antinomian delusions.

Some years ago we were holding meetings in a certain locality in one of "the States," and among other subjects presented the claims of the fourth commandment. A member of the only church there arose and said they were bound to receive this testimony, as it was the Bible, and they, in their church covenant, had agreed to take the Bible as the rule of their faith and life. Another member denied this, and said they had covenanted to take the New Testament only. A meeting was appointed to decide the matter, and the covenant being produced it was found to contain "the Bible." Upon this, a motion was made to strike "the Bible" out of the covenant, and insert "the New Testament" in its place, which was carried! The minority very properly left that church.

It is not at all an uncommon thing to hear the members of the most strictly orthodox churches ask, when a text is repeated to them, "But, is not that in the Old Testament?" The New Testament speakers and writers did not hold the Old Testament—always referred to as "the Scriptures"—in such light esteem. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Have the words of the Holy Ghost become unreliable? That they are so considered is no wonder when the words which Jehovah himself spoke and wrote—his "ten words"—are treated with contempt, and "Reverends" and "Professors" and "Doctors of Divinity" labor to prove that the decalogue is not suited to the "genius" and "freedom" of the gospel dispensation. In all these things the authority of God over the minds of men is weakened. They who cast aside one part of the word of God will not retain deep respect for the other. Their religion, if they profess any, becomes formal; a system of will-worship, not so much designed to glorify God as to exalt self.

It should not be looked upon as a strange thing that unbelievers are bold in their denunciations of the Bible, when it is so constantly depreciated, and its plainest precepts evaded and made of no effect, in the churches. In obedience to the demands of free-thinkers—who are often such in name, and no-thinkers in fact—the Bible is turned out of the schools, and prayer is forbidden! It is claimed that to read the Bible or to pray in the schools is to trespass on the rights of those who do not believe in the Bible and in prayer. Of course they who do believe the Bible and in prayer have no rights to be considered! But allowing all that is possible in the name of charity toward unbelievers, we ask, What must be the influence of this rejection of the Bible over the minds of the rising generation? Are they not unconsciously led to scorn it as a book unworthy of an honorable position among books? Are they not prepared to give willing ears to remarks of teachers and professors, such as are frequently heard in normal schools and colleges, wherein science and philosophy are exalted above the Bible? Is it a matter of surprise that when they grow up they are found sitting in the seat of the scornful?

The remedy for this sad state of things is not to be found in legislative enactments or amendments to constitutions. It is to be found by an "amendment of life" among the ministers and members of the churches. Let the ministry exalt the word of God, and lead the members to humble obedience to its precepts, instead of presenting ingenious methods whereby its requirements may be evaded. Let them raise the commandments of God above human enactments, and preach the statutes of Jehovah as above "police regulations" and political ends. Let them teach self-denial and non-conformity to the world, and impress upon the members that it is a privilege to give the means which God places in their hands to carry on the work of God, and a sin and a shame for a church to resort to tricks and games to draw money for church purposes from the ungodly and the profligate.

Parents and guardians have not only an interest in, but a responsibility in regard to, these matters. Educational facilities are placed within reach of all; this is well. But the tendencies of the age are alarming. The wise parent will look to the moral and religious influence which surrounds the youth. Too often, alas, the influence is altogether immoral and irreligious. The danger and parental responsibility are both too great to be lightly considered. Let the Bible take a high place in all your calculations for the young. Teach them to say, "By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer." Ps. 17:4. The word of God, "the blessed Bible," is our only safeguard in these days of peril.

As an instance of people's readiness to accept anything but the Bible, we mention an article which we lately read, lauding the new-found "Teachings of the Apostles," because they gave color to the idea that sprinkling might be substituted for immersion, and that the first day of the week was the Lord's day, and not the seventh. We can infer freedom of action in these respects from Tertullian, and other writers of an early age. But all that has no effect upon our minds. When we accept something as authority beside the Bible, we shall take good care that it is in harmony with the Bible, and does not contradict it.