D r* . T a X t o o t ’s
d u L e s t i o n B o x lieve the Bible teaches that (as orig inally given) every word was God- breathed, and that the original text was completely free from error of any kind. Paul states this in II Timothy 3:16: “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness . . .” and Peter cor roborates it in II Peter 1:21: “ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Jesus put His own en dorsement upon the entire Old Tes tament: “ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). JEWS RACE, NATIONALITY OR RELIGION? Q. Our c las s as ked the question whether the Jews are a race, nation- alitly or religion? Will you answer this for me? A. We have replied to this question many times. We would like to quote directly from a statement by Dr. Charles L. Feinberg, Dean of our Seminary, who is himself a convert ed Hebrew: “Judaism is a religion. It is followed by many Jews, but not by all. There are different shades of theological view in Judaism with or thodox, conservative and reform. Then there are other shades of re ligious viewpoint in Judaism. “ The term Jew has a reference, not to religion, but to a nationality. See Genesis 12:1-3 with the very first part of the promise indicated there. God promised Abraham that He would make of him a great na tion. The designation Jew refers to a national idea. There are many Jews who do not adhere to Judaism or any semblance of it. It is a well- known error of many Jews, espe cially their leaders, to claim that the Jewish nation and Judaism are sy
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Q. Just what unit happen at the judgment seat of Christ? A. Read I Corinthians 3:11-15 and note that the Lord states that “ every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day (evidently the day when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (v. 13). And again “ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall re ceive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (vv. 14-15). Suffering loss here does not mean losing our souls, but forfeiting rewards. Our works will pass in solemn review before the Lord and we will be judged by the quality and the quan tity of our service for Him. Ephe sians 6:7 tells us what gives quality to our service: “With good will do ing service as to the Lord, and not to men” and Oolossians 3:23: “ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.” The expression “ as to the Lord” shows us what will produce gold, silver, and precious stones at the judgment seat of Christ. The quality o f our work depends too upon the power by which it was performed and that power should be the Holy Spirit’s. The cen ter and circumference of our work should be Christ Himself. THE WORD OF GOD Q. I have been troubled by a state ment my minister made, “ The Bible contains the Word of God, but is not the Word of God.” What on earth did he mean? A. This is one of those examples of double-talk that liberals like to in dulge in. It is a denial that every word was inspired o f God, of what is known as verbal inspiration. I be
nonymous. This is untrue. It is no more valid than to assert that all Americans are Christians. “ Any non-Jew who embraces Juda ism becomes a follower o f the re ligion of Judaism, but does not thereby become a Jew. This is a fallacy which has been exploded many times before. “ It has been the contention of un believers for a long time that by in termarriage the Jewish nation has lost its identity. It is sufficient to say that Hitler found out the very contrary of this position. We do not deny the fact of intermarriages, but the nation as such has retained its identity and individuality, so that the promise of Genesis 12:1-3 is still valid, as well as the declaration of Jeremiah 30:11.” HATING RECOMMENDED? Q. I am disturbed by the verse which reads: “ I f any man come to me and hate not his father, and mothert and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disci ple.” How could God ask us to hate anyone and especially our families? A. You referred to Luke 14:25-35 which has to do with discipleship. In order to follow Christ fully, He must be first in our hearts. This has nothing to do with affection for our loved ones but only with the matter of putting “ first things first.” No one, however near and dear, must come before Christ and following His will for that makes that one an idol in the heart. The sense here is “ loving less.” This is a good exam ple of the important principle of Bible study: “ comparing Scripture with Scripture” for we have in numerable passages bidding us love our families, our neighbors and all men, so that we know this does not mean that we are not to care for them.
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