NOT spiritualism in the sense in which this word is commonly used, but spiritualization. This wicked thing is undermining the faith of thousands, even those who think they are following Christ. Ministers preach it. Religious journals give up their columns to articles which are little less than atheistic in their nature, so fearful are they that some sentiment shall be expressed bordering on "literalism," as it is termed. Thus the devil is robbing people of the very life of true Christianity.
Is there no real heaven? Have we no real God? Shall the weary pilgrim vainly strive for a "country" that turns out at last to be only nothing?—Far from it. God does not thus deceive His children. In His word, He holds out to us that which is real, tangible, a reward, as Peter expresses it, that "fadeth not away," "eternal in the heavens." This is the "better country" toward which our fathers in faith journeyed, and upon which their eyes rested as they closed them in the sleep of death, and that which to them will become their literal home when they shall awake at the "resurrection of the just."
Literalisms.
In a recent issue of a very prominent religious journal, there appeared an article entitled "The Literalisms of the Mosaic Narrative," and the references made to Moses, seeing the Lord, and the giving of the law, were such as to well-nigh destroy the faith of the reader in any narrative given us anywhere in the Bible. A few sentences we quote:
"These literalisms—'the elders saw the God of Israel,' 'God spoke with Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend,' 'the two tables of stone written with the finger of God'—often puzzle the reader. He thinks of other scriptures which declare God to be a Spirit, to be immortal, invisible, whom no man hath seen or can see."
Seek for the Harmony.
Then, instead of studying to find the harmony in these seemingly contradictory statements, the writer goes on to attempt to explain:
"It is evident that these literalisms are simply the strong expression of spiritual ideas of divine help or accomplishment which God does by His spiritual power and presence. God spoke with Moses face to face—that is, Moses was in intimate communion with God spiritually."
Then as to the giving of the law, we quote further.
"The commandments were written with the finger of God on the two tables of stone—that is, the commandments so completely came in the thought of Moses, thru his intimate communion with God in the mount, that they may be said to have come from God, and to be written with the finger of God, tho at the same time cut in the tables by the hand of Moses."
How such teaching can pass for religious food is simply incomprehensible! If believed, it would certainly be effective in robbing earth of any real connection in any definite way to heaven. Why believe that God came down at all upon Sinai, if we do not take as true the Bible description of the events which took place at this time?
It is very easy to trace back to the origin of such sentiments. Lucifer, in order to command the homage and worship of men, must keep God out of sight, must cover up this law, lest men pay their allegiance to their Creator. So he frames such delusions to deceive.
But did Moses see God?—The Bible says so:
"And he [Moses] said, I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory." "And He [the Lord] said, Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock; and it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in the cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts; but My face shall not be seen." Ex. 33: 18-23.
But who was talking with Moses as a friend talks with his friend—the Father or the Son? This point made clear, and harmony is made in all these scriptures which seem contradictory. Jesus Himself said of the Father, when contending with the Pharisees, "And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape." John 5:37. Who then spoke the law and talked with Moses upon Sinai?—Evidently Christ, the Son. And He is God. His glory and brightness and person are in the express image of the Father. See Heb. 1:1-3. It was Christ who led the children of Israel thru the wilderness. "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed [or went with] them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Cor. 10:4. Thus
Moses saw in the mount the Son of God, thru whom the Father has wrought out His purposes for man.
The Law the Work of God.
As to the law being the work of God, not of Moses, we read:
"And He [the Lord] gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." Ex. 31:18. "And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his HAND [not altogether in his mind, in this spiritual sense]: the tables were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. AND THE TABLES WERE THE WORK OF GOD, AND THE WRITING WAS THE WRITING OF GOD, GRAVEN UPON THE TABLES." Ex. 32:15, 16.
What plainer language could be used to say that the work upon the two tables of stone (literal stone; for Moses threw them down, and broke them), was the work of God, and not of Moses? How much more rational and sensible it is to believe this simple narrative than that it all meant something else, not mentioned in the Bible! God is a spiritual being, but that does not imply that He is not a substantial being; for the quotations just cited tell us He has a "face," "back parts," and a "hand." Angels are ministering spirits, and they have bodies as well. God will have spiritual men and women prepared to meet Him when He comes, and they will have bodies which are to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye—changed from mortality to immortality; for "thus saith the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:51-53. The Lord also says, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
Let us not throw away all this that goes to make up for us a sure hope for a life that we can at least to some extent understand and look forward to with joy, for something intangible, unreal, and which is not held out to the child of God in the Bible. The one is living faith, the other mere folly and presumption. T. E. BOWEN.