WRESTING THE SCRIPTURES.
By C. P. B.
IN his second epistle the apostle Peter speaks of some who wrest the Scriptures, that is, turn them aside from their true meaning, and of that we see many examples at the present day. One of the latest of these which has come under our notice is in the Christian Oracle of May 9. A contributor to that paper says:— “That we may be safe and efficient, God inspired the apostles to teach us all things that pertain to Christian life and godliness. Their teaching is sufficient to make men perfect, and thoroughly furnish them for all good works. False doctrines will arise that may blind and deceive, that may seem plausible or profitable, but which end in strife, envy, and divisions. Beware of the doctrines of men; be not carried about by them, but be steadfast in the apostles' doctrine. Prove all things by them, and hold fast what they approve.” It may be true as he says that the teachings of the apostles are sufficient, but it is not true, as he implies, that the Scriptures themselves tell us that such is the case. In his second letter to Timothy the apostle says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” But he wrote not of the New Testament but of the Old, a part of the Scriptures which some people esteem very lightly nowadays, and we suspect that this is the case with the Oracle's contributor. If one compares his language and that of the apostle, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that he intended to convey the idea that the apostle's words applied to the New Testament; but he must know that such is not the case. Paul wrote to Timothy: “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus;” and those same Scriptures are no less potent for good to-day. Let us take heed that we do not despise and neglect them. C. P. B.