T he B ible is not a talisman to the evangelical Chris tian; it is not a book of magical formulas which, properly pronounced, produce weird and occult results. The Bible is the objective, historic revelation of God in human language. The evangelical accepts the Bible’s own testimony of itself that it is the supernatural, the inspired Word of God. Yes, God used men to write it. He did not outrage their personalities. Differences in their styles are appar ent. But He moved holy men to write what is indeed and in truth His Word. Gaussen has expressed it: “ It would . . . in our view, be holding very erroneous language to say . . . certain passages in the Bible are man’s, and certain passages in the Bible are God’s. No, every verse without exception is man’s; and every verse without exception is God’s, whether we find Him speaking there directly in His own name, or whether He employs the entire personality of the sacred writer.” IS BELIEF IN INSPIRATION NECESSARY? But is it important to believe in verbal inspiration? The old line, rose-water modernist, who was essentially a rationalist, answered, “No.” The positivist who denies the validity of any knowledge save that derived through sense experience, says “No.” The neo-orthodox, despite all his lip service to certain doctrines, must in all logic say, “No.” Truth must be experimental, it can have no objective, historic meaning to him. The true Bible believer must answer, “Yes.” Man, if he is to know right from wrong, if he is not to get lost in the labyrinths of human speculation, if he is to gain heaven, must have a clear word from God; divine revela tion is an imperative. Reduce the issue to its bare essentials, and there are only two basic attitudes that can be taken about divine revelation: (1) It is impossible because there is no God, or because God doesn’t care; or (2) It is possible because there is a God who does care. Moreover, it is our deep conviction — based on the Scriptures and corroborated by experience — that a man desperately needs some authoritative word from God. True religion is not the stumbling, faltering, blun dering guesses of men who evolve a man-made faith; it is the revelation of the great God. Just because God —•in keeping with His own character and purposes — chose not to give this revelation all at once is no reason to mistake it for the blunderings of men: progress in divine revelation is never from error to truth; it is always from seed to fruit, from little to much. But remember, that even the embryo, even the little is precious truth, not to be discarded, but to be regarded as foundational and fundamental. LIGHT FROM GOD Into the darkness and depravity of man’s condition has come light from God. God spoke to Adam and Eve. Abel understood the message of God and obeyed. Enoch conversed with the Almighty. God led Noah. The God of glory appeared to Abraham. Jacob saw the face of God. Moses met God and became His chosen revelator. Joshua received his instructions from Jehovah, Othniel, Ehud, Barak and Deborah, Gideon, Jephtha and Samson received God’s commands. Samuel from his youth heard God’s voice. David and Solomon knew His presence. Elijah and Elisha followed God’s commands. Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jere miah, Habakkuk, Daniel, Obadiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi wrote His word. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter and Jude gave His mes sage to the sons of men. And how else can men know about God? True, "the MARCH, 1964
invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made , even his eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). True, “ the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). But such knowledge at best is partial. The grandeur of the Creator only intensifies the questions concerning sin, death, salvation, eternity. We need the supernatural reve lation of God. Only the Lord can reveal these truths about Himself: . . the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God . . . we received . . . the spirit which, is of God; that we might know” (I Corinthians 2:11, 12). If the Lord has not so revealed Himself, then we are doomed to the uncertain quest of discovering Him as best we may; we have no authoritative voice in the trackless jungle of the conflicting opinions of men. So the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant Word is necessary to assurance. Can a man be sure? Don’t say that it does not matter. There is too much at stake. Our happiness now and our blessedness in a dark, mysterious, foreboding future beyond this life are both involved. Is certainty possible? It most certainly is not, if all that we have to go on are the ideas of men, even good men. CHRISTIANITY IS ROOTED IN CHRIST The Bible-believing Christian has a foundation to his faith that is worth more than money can buy. For Chris tianity is based on observed facts which may be tested historically. We are not following some will-o’-the wisp. Christianity is rooted and grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ — who He is and what He did. These facts are set forth in the Bible. No one should be misled. Apocry phal stories, ancient traditions, new dogmas which are unsupported by the Bible are all to be refused. The Pro testant heritage that the Word of God is the final rule of faith and practice underlines the fact that God has given us an objective revelation of truth. While that revelation, to the degree relevant and possible, should be experienced by Christians, their experience of it has absolutely nothing to do with either its trustworthiness or its finality. Moreover, that revelation by the grace and operation of God is available in written form to most Christians. The Word of God is not in the sepulchral mutterings of a special priesthood; it is written. And it presents objective, historical truths which are the warp and woof of the Christian faith. The Word of God, inspired, in fallible, inerrant in the original autographs, is a price Men need the supernatural revelation of God. The al ternative is to blunder along without any sure word from heaven. The alternative is to continue in the dark with out hope, for there are truths utterly beyond our experi ence, and there is no other sure way to know them. We can know for sure; we have the objective revelation of truth which can be tested. You are not sure? While nothing can quite take the place of your own joy of soul as you respond to God’s speaking personally to your heart from His holy Word, there are corroborative evidences. Dr. R. A. Torrey used to list some of them this way: the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ; the fulfilled prophecies; the unity of the Book; the immeasurable superiority of the teachings of the Bible; its indestructibility; the character of those who reject the Book; the influence of the Book; the inexhausti ble depth of the Book; the fact that growth in knowledge and holiness finds us growing toward the Bible; the direct testimony of the Holy Spirit. Available in printed form from the American Tract Society, Oradell, New Jersey. 9 less gift from God. WE CAN BE SURE
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