The Fundamentals Because the Bible styles itself the Word of God. “The Word o f the Lord is right,” says the Psalmist. Again, “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet.” “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” “The grass withereth,” says Isaiah, “the flower thereof fadeth, but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” Not only is the Bible called the Word of God, but it is distinguished from all other books by that very title. I t is so distinguished in the 119th Psalm, and everywhere the con- trast between it and every human book is deepened and sus- tained. If we will not call the Bible the Word of God, then we cannot call it anything else. If we insist upon a description rigorously exact and unexposed to shafts of wanton criticism, then the Book remains anonymous. We cannot more con- sistently say, “Holy Scripture,” because the crimes recorded on its pages are not holy ; because expressions like “Curse God and die,” and others from the lips of Satan and of wicked men, are unholy. The Bible, however, is “holy” because its aim and its methods are holy. The Bible, likewise, is the Word of God, because it comes from God; because its every word was penned by God; because it is the only exponent of God; the only rule of His procedure, and the Book by which we must at last be judged. (1) The Bible is authority because in it, from cover to cover, God is the Speaker. Said a leader of our so-called orthodoxy to a crowded audience but a little while ago: “The Bible is true. Any man not a fool must believe what is true. What difference does it make who wrote it?” This differ- ence, brethren; the solemn hearing down of God on the soul! My friend may tell me what is true; my wife may tell me what is true; but what they say is not solemn. Solemnity comes in when God looks into my face—G od! and behind Him everlasting destiny—a nd talks with me about my soul. In the Bible God speaks, and God is listened to, and men are
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