WHAT IS THE BIBLE? by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 15, 1881

WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

By Editor

A MEMBER of the Missionary Society has shown us a letter, received from a correspondent, which contains the following words :—

“Admitting that the Bible was once the word of God to man, it has been revised and doctored too much to be so any longer.”

It is a pity that any one will suffer himself to be so greatly deceived in regard to a matter of such great importance. If the Bible ever was the word of God to man, it is such still.

1. The Bible is a revelation to a fallen race; it is not given for any particular class, nation, or generation. In judging of its merits it should be considered in its applicability to the wants of a fallen race. As long as God is a Supreme Governor, and a judge of infinite justice, and man is a sinner, so long will the Bible be suited to man's wants,—so long will it continue to be a needed revelation from God to man.

2. It is not the object of a revision of the Bible to alter and change it in the sense of correcting it. But it is the object, (1) To compare our present version with all the ancient manuscripts which have been found, and thus to ascertain which is the most reliable reading where different readings exist. (2) To correct the English of our version. It is well known that our language has greatly changed in the last two and a half centuries; so that expressions which were quite intelligible then, when our translation was made, are obscure now.

3. The same writer objects to the Bible that so many denominations exist, all professing to draw their belief from the same book. But his objections destroy each other. However unfortunate it may be that there are such diversities of beliefs, the existence of so many denominations is a surety that the Bible cannot be “revised and doctored” to its injury. They are a check upon each other in revising, each preventing the others from coloring the reading to suit their denominational preferences. The composition of the late Committee of Revision was such as to give the best assurance of faithfulness in their work, according to their ability.

4. All the translations which have been made, and all the ancient manuscripts which have been found, are still in existence and are accessible to all inquirers; and if any material change had been made it could be easily ascertained. When people bring such charges with these facts existing, it proves that they do not understand the facts in the case, but are moved by prejudice more than by knowledge.

5. It is the united testimony of all parties that the various translations and revisions have made no material changes in the Bible. Even the Douay or Catholic Bible, which contains some things peculiar to the belief of that church, does not vary largely from a correct translation, the notes accompanying it being the real exponents of the faith of the church.

6. The Bible is the Bible according to a general plan, having regard to the recovery of the fallen race. No verbal changes which have ever been made by reason

of the testimony of manuscripts discovered, have at all modified or changed the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures. People who are deeply interested in their own salvation, and so have the deepest interest in the integrity of the Scriptures, are not given to finding fault with the Bible. Those who have to confess that they have no special interest in it, and therefore do not closely inquire into its truths or its truthfulness, are the ones who find fault with it. This is a fact worthy of consideration.

Finally, all the objections which are urged against the Bible but increase our confidence in the blessed book. They do not affect its reliability as a record, the wonderful fulfillment of its prophecies, nor the morality of its teachings. It proves itself worthy of our confidence, and our own consciences—unless our judgments are perverted by selfishness—attest that we need its aid to escape from the corruption of our nature, and the sinfulness of our lives.