fü tb lr M i
The Bible Family Magazine
SEPTEMBER 1 9 3 6
Photograph by Adelbert Bartlett
Virtually a school of one book, the Word of God, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles has, for a quarter of a century, welcomed young people whose hearts have been hungry for the things of God. “ The Lord gave the word,” as John A. Hubbard [at the right] and other members of the Institute faculty continually affirm, and “great was the company of those that published it” (Psa. 68:11).
In writing Biola Friends Dr. Rood says:
Prayer Circle Covers 3 2 States and Canada B y a dynamic Force, and a sustaining Power^-a veri table tide of prayer arising from hundreds o f human hearts in all parts o f the worivpfl-the Bible Institute of Los Angeles is being upheld from floods that would otherwise overwhelm it.
at an hour when you or others were praying. Thus will be realized the fulfillment o j Paul’s words recorded in 2 Corin thians 1:11, describing the ideal prayer ministry: “ Ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means o f many, thanks may be given by many persons'on our behalf” (R .V .). We are praying that the blessing now being received by many individuals through prayer and sacrificial giving on behalf of the Institute imay be extended to new groups of friends. They, in like manner, will be amazed at the privilege of being used as instruments in God’s hands for the meeting of the Institute’s needs. We are at the threshold of a new school term-*:bur Fall Semester—which begins September 8, 1936. With the enrollment of each student, the Institute assumes the obli gation o f about $75.00, the amount needed to meet the ex penses of training for a semester of about twenty weeks. Inasmuch as nearly 400 enrollments are expected, we shall need approximately $30,000. (T o the student there is no tuition charge.) The Institute is facing an unexcelled opportunity to touch and mold young lives. Will you share with me the re sponsibility which their training incurs ? By enrolling as a donor, or as a Biola Watchman, or both, you will, in a very real way, have a part in the training and future work of these young people. Let us not fail God in neglecting to sense and act upon this great need. Yours in the King’s service,
Since June 15, 1936, when I announced the formation o f the Institute Prayer Circle, a W ORLD -W IDE BAND OF INTERCESSORS, a fellowship in which each volun teer would pray at least once weekly, occupying collectively the twenty-four hours of each day, there has been an en couraging response which has resulted in a definite lessen ing o f strain and an increased inflow of funds. Together with the faithful group o f stewards whose hearts have long been moved in support of the Institute, we have now enlisted a growing group o f friends who, in the exercise of prayer, have proved daily that there is a direct connection between “ the prayer o f faith” and sacri ficial giving. That the friends of the Institute might be further bless ed through knowing the synchronization o f prayer and giving, cards are being sent to our donors with the request that they state, if possible, the hour when they were first moved with the thought o f giving. On the following page, the Secretary of Biola’s World- Wide Prayer Circle, Miss Christina J. Braskamp, presents her first report. Those who have enlisted as Prayer Watch men will find listed the days and hours when individuals were inspired to give. The report is complete to July 15, 1936. Names o f donors and amounts contributed are omitted in all cases. ; You who are members o f the prayer group will wish to note carefully the hours reported and compare them with your chosen hour of intercession, giving thanks for the obedience o f individuals whose impulse to give occurred
President. “ This MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION is a glorious and a m ighty m inistry, and we can all have part in it. The man or the woman who is shut away from the public meeting by sickness can have part in it; the busy m other; the woman who has to take in washing for a living can have part; . . . the hard-driven man o f business can have part in it, praying as he hurries from duty to duty.” — R . A . TORREY.
/, t o l a s W OR LD -W ID E PRAYER CIRCLE Miss 4 Christina J. R e p o r t of tb e S e c r e ta ry
| Braskamp, I Secretary
ness and zeal with which many are laboring together with Him for the furtherance of the gospel: From Oswego, N . Y.; “ I think you have chosen a wonderful idea to carry out, and who can estimate, the marvelous results? May God keep us all faithful is my earnest prayer.” From Plainwell, Mich.; “ Humbly I promise to pray for Biola’s work each Monday a.m. from 8 to 9 o’clock. We are also praying for the Bible Institute of Los Angeles at our Tuesday and Friday after noon prayer meetings.” From Los Angeles,-Calif.; “ I am happy to be a prayer helper in the Biola Prayer Cir cle. I do believe that the Lord is going to accomplish great things through Biola by means of prayer. I will watch and pray Saturday from 10 to 11 p.m.” From Los Angeles, Calif.; “ Today I am enrolling as a ‘Biola Watchman.’ I feel that I could not enlist in a better cause. I will pray for Biola more earnestly now.” From Los Angeles, Calif.; “ I thank you for the honor and privilege of being a 'Biola Watchman.’ I will gladly pray each Monday from 8 to 9 p.m.” From Pasadena, Calif.;
“Prayer is work. Prayer works. Prayer leads to work.” Biola’s World-W ide Prayer Circle has already proved the truth of this statement. Friends in many states have selected their hour of intercession for the Bible Institute, and in obedience to God’s injunction: “ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” ( Jer. 33:3 ) , they have taken vigil in prayer and have enlisted as “ Biola Watchmen.” Knowing that H e is a prayer-hearing and a prayer answering God, these “ Biola Watchmen” are spreading before H im the problems confronting the school. These friends are railing upon H im in faith, believing that H e is “ able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3 :2 0 ). They are confident of God’s power to forward the work of the Bible Institute during these days of testing, for this is God’s work. If it is done in God’s way, God will supply. Unfortunately neither time nor space permits us to share with you the many encouraging letters received during the month from our faithful prayer helpers; however, the following extracts from personal letters addressed to Dr. Rood show the eamest- C H A R T S Y N C H R O N IZ IN G P R A Y E R A N D G IV IN G NOTE ON STANDARD TIME: In order to identify your prayer hour with the “ in spiration of giving hour” reported by any donor, it is necessary to bear in mind the divisions of time in the United States. . . . . . . , . . ,.a Standard Time in the United States is divided into four Time Zones with a difference of one hour between each zone: E.S.T., EASTERN STANDARD TIME, C.S.T., CEN TRAL STANDARD TIME, M .S.T., MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, and P.S.T., PACIFIC STANDARD TIME. Certain sections of the country use D.S., Daylight Saving Time. Thus Chicago, though in the C.S.T., CENTRAL STANDARD TIME zone, has adopted D.S., Daylight Saving Time, making its time really correspond to EASTERN STANDARD TIME. Chicago would be listed thus, C.S.T., D.S. In order to compare the given time with the time in your locality, remember that the Time Zones west of your zone are progressively slower, the Time Zones east of your zone are faster, and the Daylight Saving Time in a zone adds an additional hour.. Thus, a person pray ing in Chicago at 4 p.m. is in the same instant of time with the person who may be praying or giving in Los Angeles at 7 p.m.
“ My prayer hour for Biola is Monday from 7 to 8 a.m., and no telephone bell or door bell can call me away from this all-important duty of praying one hour each week for the Bible Institute.”
The complete results of “ Biola’s World-Wide Prayer Circle” cannot be estimated in terms of figures, for blessings spiritually and materially have gladdened not only our hearts, but also the hearts of many upon whom God has laid these burdens. As a result, we are full of praise to God who inspired this plan of estab lishing warriors for Biola. W e praise H im for the work already accomplished through prayer on behalf of the Bible Institute, and for what H e is doing and will do as we claim His promise: “ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). “ Biola Watchmen” will be interested in reading the report herewith submitted giving the location, day, and hour when a donor was inspired to send a gift to the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. (Names and amounts are not printed.) W e express our sincere praise and thanksgiving in the words of the Psalmist: “ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God” (Psa. 4 8 :1 ), for the opportunity and privilege that is ours of spreading the W ord through trained young men and women, and through the printed page o f the K ing ’ s B usiness . Continue with us in prayer. Respectfully submitted,
PT . . m i n n ST AN D A RD
TIM E P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. M.S.T.
TIM E
DATE
L O C A T IO N
7/3/36 7/4/36 7/6/36 7/6/36 7/6/36 7/6/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/7/36 7/8/36
7:00 p.m. 1:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles, Calif. Morro Bay, Calif. San Bernardino, Calif. San Diego, Calif. Long Beach, Calif. Pacific Grove, Calif. Venice, Calif.
3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
La Verne, Calif. Redlands, Calif.
San Francisco, Calif.
No hour a.m.
Glendale, Calif. Pasadena, Calif. Idyllwild, Calif. Riverside, Calif. Flagstaff, Ariz. Whittier, Calif. Chino, Calif.
3:30 p.m. 11:00 p.m.
7/8/36 7/8/36 7/8/36 7/9/36 7/9/36 7/9/36 7/10/36 7/13/36 7/13/36 7/14/36 12/26/35
No time
1:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T. P.S.T.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Seattle, Wash.
7:00 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. Los Angeles, Calif. Claremont, Calif.
No time
4:00 p.m.
Secretary.
“ Prayer Is Work - Prayer Works - Prayer Leads to Work” How to Pray tor Biola OFFICIAL PRAYER CHART SELECT YOUR STATION I. PRAY FOR STUDENTS: 1. That those who have been graduated may use their training wisely and effectively in the home or foreign field, and may be the instruments in leading many souls to Christ. 2. That those who have only partially completed their courses may be blessed of God and may ’’grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ*’ (2 Pet. 3 :1 8 ). PRAY W1THOLT C E A S I N G I
3. That those planning to come to the school next term may be chosen of the Holy Spirit, that only those so selected may apply, and that the dedication of themselves to God may be complete. _________________ II. PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE BIBLE INSTI TUTE AND FOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: That divine wisdom may guide them in all their decisions, and that they may conduct the Institute wisely. III. PRAY FOR THE FACULTY: That great grace be given them in teaching the “ un searchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3 :8 ). IV. PRAY FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS OF INSTITUTE ACTIVITY: 1. For the Administration, Field, and Financial Depart ments. 2. For the Correspondence School, which offers seventeen courses by mail; pray also for the students of this department — eager searchers of the Word, men and women who in many cases are remote from schools. 3. For the Jewish Department with its constant witness to Israel. 4. For the KING’S BUSINESS and its army of more than 30,000 subscriber,. 5. For the Shop Department with its ministry to the men in the factories and shops in and near Los Angeles. 6. For the Institute Bible Women and for the scores of Bible classes which they teach each week among adults and schoolgirls. 7. For the Evening School whose courses have been greatly e n l a r g e d . _________________ V. PRAY FOR THE HUNAN BIBLE INSTITUTE: That the China Division of the Bible Institute of Los An geles may continue its noble work of training young Chinese to live the gospel and to preach it to their own people. VI. PRAY FOR A SPIRIT OF PERPETUAL REVIVAL AT BIOLA. _________________ VII. PRAY FOR BLESSING UPON THE INSTITUTE’S EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS: 1. Work among boys and girls, emphasizing Child Evan gelism. 2. Bible Conferences.
P R A Y E R C I R C L E
E XP L ANA T I ON Y ou are requested to select the day and hour that suits you best and circle it on the chart above. Then detach the “ Prayer Volunteers’ Enroll ment Form ” printed below and sign and send it to the Bible Institute, keep ing the chart as a reminder o f your prayer hour. W e suggest that you cut it out and keep it between the pages of your Bible. A s soon as your applica tion reaches Los Angeles, a gold star will be placed upon our official chart and a number assigned to you, o f which you will be immediately notified. All names will be kept in absolute confidence, and will be known only to the few officials of the Institute in charge o f the chart and Prayer V olun teers’ enrollments. Remember, your enlistment is “ for the war” ; that is,- your prayer service is to continue until you are notified that a sum has been paid or pledged that is sufficient to pay all the operating expenses for the summer and for the school year. The fall semester opens on September 8, 1936, and closes January 27, 1937. Let us strive together earnestly in prayer that God may mercifully see fit to grant the needed sum quickly, so that our prayer circle and our friends everywhere may rejoice.
— DETACH ON TH IS LINE —
P R A Y E R V O L U N T E E R S ’ E N R O L LM E N T F O R M F O R B IO L A ’S W O R L D -W ID E P R A Y E R C IRCLE I hereby volunteer to act as a “ BIOLA W ATCHM AN ” and will pray ONE HOUR EACH present time (#30,000.00) for carrying forward the work of Biola is received. WEEK, until the sum needed at the
Name.... Address.
A.M. .o’clock, P.M. each. CROSS OUT ONE
Hour selected.
HOUR
DAY O F W EEK
The Scroll of the Law
S h e 3 i h l e T a m i i # 3 h a $ a ^ i n e Motto: “ Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”— R ev . 1 :5.
Volume XXV II
September, 1936
Number 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Around the King’s Table— Paul W . Rood..........................................332 Interesting Scientific Accuracies in the Bible-—-Alva J. McClain....334 A Young Man’s Questions About the Bible— F. J. Carter.............336 What the Bible Has Meant in My Life— H. A. Ironside.................338 «/" Prophecy, the Gibraltar o f the Book— Louis S. Bauman................340 Bible Institute Family Circle............................................................¥.....342 Junior King’s Business—Martha S. Hooker..................................... 343 International Lesson Commentary............................................ ........... 345 Girls’ Query Corner-—Myrtle E. Scott.................................................352 Notes on Christian Endeavor—Mary G. Goodner............................. 355 Daily Devotional Readings.............................................. 360 Our Literature Table..................... 365 Evangelistic Notices..................................................... 366
The Scroll is the most Sacred thing in the Jewish Synagogue. Christ read H is in tro d u c to ry message from the scroll in the Synagogue. Every Bible Student ought to have one o f these miniature scrolls. Our Offer W e want you to read The Chosen People, edited by Joseph Hoffman Cohn, son o f ExRabbi Leopold Cohn, and considered by many Bible students the most help ful paper on prophecy and the Jew published in America. It gives you inspiring reports of the world-wide activities of the American Board of Missions to the Jews, Inc. Also, we want you to read the life story of ExRabbi Leopold Cohn, written by himself in a sixty-page booklet — one of the most thrilling stories you have ever read. Jews are really accept ing the Lord Jesus Christ. The price of the Scroll is 50 cents, and The Chosen People is 50 cents a year. Mr. Cohn’s auto biography is 30 cents. Send us $1 and we will mail you ALL and enter your name for a year’s sub scription for The Chosen People; if not satisfied we’ll return your money without a question. And may we remind you also of the continuous need o f our Mis sionary undertakings? Our work merits your every confidence. It is a program of world-wide Gospel testimony to the Jews. Your fel lowship in prayer and gift is always welcomed and appreciated. The Chosen People is o f course sent to all contributors. A m e r ic a n B oa rd o f Missions to the Jews Inc. 31 Throop Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
I N F O R M A T I O N
F O R S U B S C R I B E R S
ADVERTISING: For information with reference to advertising in THE KING’S BUSINESS, address the ADVERTISING MANAGER, 558 SOUTH HOPE STREET, LOS ANGELES, CALIF., or our eastern representative. Religious Press Association, 325 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, Pa., or 333 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Entered as Second Class Matter November 17, 1910, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage pro vided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized October 1, 1918. MANUSCRIPTS: THÈ KING'S BUSINESS cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts sent to it for consideration.
TERMS: Single Coplei.................................................. 15c Annual Subscription...................................................... $1.50 Two-year subscription or two annual subscriptions. 2.50 Five annual subscriptions.............................................. 5.00 Eleven annual subscriptions...........................................10.00 Subscriptions in countries outside ofU. S. require 25c extra. REMITTANCE: Should be made by Bank Draft, Ex press or P. O. Money Order, payable to “ The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated.'* Receipts will not be sent for regular subscriptions, but date of expi ration will show plainly each month, on outside wrapper or cover of magazine. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send both old and new address at least one month previous to date of de sired change.
POLICY A8 DEFINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES (a) To stand for the infallible Word of God and its great fundamental truths, (b) To strengthen the faith of all believers, (c) To stir young men aand women to fit themselves for and engage in definite Christian work, (d) To make the Bible Institute of Los Angeles known, (e) To magnify God our Father and the person, work and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; and to teach the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our present practical life, (f) To emphasize in strong, constructive messages the great foundations of Christian faith. THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES, INCORPORATED 558 South Hope Street Lo* Angeles, California
Ask for our free booklet on Jewish Mission Annuity Bonds.
332
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
September, 1936
c _Around the King’s ‘Tables B y P a u l W. R ood
God’s Book is a living Book, and “ the word o f God is quick, and powerful.” The of the Word ministry that magnifies the Word of God will be a powerful ministry. God has not promised to bless the theories and philosophies o f men, but He has promised to bless His own Word. “ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not re turn unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11). Faithful teaching and preaching of the Word The Power
Holy Spirit works the miracle o f the new birth through the Word. Men are “ born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word o f God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1 :23). Thus, every step o f the way, God, in the person o f the Holy Spirit, honors and uses the Word. Conviction, faith, regeneration, yea, and sanctification, come through the Word. “ Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth” '(John 17:17), said our Lord. Because God’s Word is thus prominent in the work of
will never be without result. The expository preacher wears well and has a fruitful ministry. The Holy Spirit works through the Word. It is important to note what a prominent part the Word has in the salvation o f a soul. The Holy Spirit convicts the sinner of his sin, especially the sin of reject ing Christ (John 16:7-9). We would never know that unbelief or Ghrist-rejection was a sin if this truth were not revealed in the Word of God. Therefore the evan gelist and soul-winner must use the Word in dealing with the sinner so that the Holy Spirit will have an opportunity to show the lost one the exceeding sinfulness of unbe lief. “ For the word o f God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, pierc ing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and o f the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4 :12 ). The word “ discerner” means “ critic,” and in stead o f being critics o f the Word, men should allow the Word to criticize them. A fter the sinner has been made to realize his awful sin o f failure to believe in Christ, he must be led
salvation, should we not use it more? Let the sermon be filled with quotations from the Word, and let every statement be sup ported by a “ Thus saiih the Lord.” Always use the Bible itself in per sonal evangelism, and let the one with whom you are dealing read for himself the passage under con sideration. Remember the Word of God is powerful! the present hour is spiritual dis cernment. Many Christians lack this quality; consequently they give audience to speakers who lead them astray, and they read books and periodicals that are unsafe and misleading. A visit to the average Christian home, and an inspection o f the li brary in that home, will usually re veal that there are books in that library which are teaching false doctrine. When attention is called to these books and their contents, the excuse will be given that they were bought from an agent who said that the books would help the reader to understand the Bible. O n e of t h e greatest needs of God’s p e o p le in Discernment
The BIBLE Other books tell us what men suppose; the Bible tells* us what God knows. Other books tell us what other men, almost as fool ish as ourselves, speculate; this Book tells us what an infinitely wise God, who made us and all things, and consequently knows all things, has inerrantly revealed. This Book makes men wise with the wisdom that is golden, the wisdom that brings eternal sal vation. No one can study this Book aright, no matter how ignorant he may otherwise be, without becoming possessed of that priceless wisdom that means eternal life. No other book has the power to make us ac quainted with God and with His Son, Jesus Christ, that this Book has. Oh, study the Book that brings eternal life; make it in your own experience "the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (Jas. 1:21, R.V.). — R. A. TORREY.
to believe in Him. “ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31) was Paul’s injunction to the Philippian jailer. The way of salvation is clearly re vealed in Romans 10:9: “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” But how shall faith be created in the sinner’s heart ? The answer logically follows : “ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word o f God” (Rom. 10: 17). As the preacher or personal worker proclaims Christ as_ He is revealed in the Word, the Holy Spirit creates faith in the heart o f the sinner. Faith then comes through the Word. How does regeneration take place? When the sinner beholds Ihe Lamb o f God, and accepts Him by faith, the
The agent was probably a propagandist for a cult or a false doctrine, but the buyer did not investigate the contents, and thus unknowingly introduced poison into the home— reli gious poison that may damn the souls o f the children. Sometimes a conversation will reveal that a Christian is listening to a religious broadcast without realizing that he is allowing the poison o f modernism to enter his home. When reminded o f the danger involved, the individual is likely to reply that the speaker has a fine voice and elegant diction, and that he says many fine things. The Apostle John has a warning to which we should give heed. “ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of G od : because many false proph ets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4 :1 ). This ex hortation shows us that we should not take things for
September, 1936
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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granted, but that we should test every teacher and his doc trine by God’s standard— His infallible Word. This neces sarily involves a knowledge o f the Word acquired by prayerful and systematic study. These are perilous times; we need to be more earnest students o f the Bible than ever before. Discernment is a gift o f the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer, works through the Word. Insofar as we allow the Spirit to direct us to the Word and saturate our minds with the Word, in that measure will we have spiritual discernment. We need to be spiritually minded and Scripturally instructed if we are to witness effectively for Christ in these last days. “ He that is spiritual judgeth [“ discerneth” ] all things,” says Paul (1 Cor. 2 :15 ). The Spirit-filled believer as a prayer ful, diligent student o f God’s Word will soon detect the error in a movement or a teacher, and will not be swayed by cunningly devised fables or spurious movements. It is a tragedy that some cannot recognize the differ ence between that which is o f Satan and that which is of God, and it is equally tragic that many do not realize the difference between that which is soulish and that which is spiritual. There are Christians who live mostly in the soul ish realm. Architecture, art, oratory, music, or anything which has an appeal to the aesthetic nature will satisfy thé soulish man, and he will erroneously consider it as spirit ually edifying. Here again it is necessary to allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to fill and control the personality, and to illuminate the Word o f God, so that we will have discernment enough to correctly analyze movements, books, teaching, and even our own hearts. Read the Bible. Study the Word of Truth. Search the Scriptures. Make much use o f the Word. Test everything by the Word o f God! Empire o f the old Roman Empire was on display in the Italian Building at the Brussels Ex hibition in 1935, and that beneath the map Mussolini had inscribed these words: “So it was—So it must be.” What is in prospect for Italy ? Stewart Brown, United Press correspondent in Rome, has recently sent a dispatch that should seem especially significant to the Christian reader. For the international conflict that is threatening Europe, Italy is prepared with one o f the greatest armies that ever marched on the conti nent. Mussolini has more than 1,000,000 men under arms in Italy and East Africa. He feels that the present Euro pean tension makes it impossible for him to relax the nation’s military preparedness. According to his own dec laration, Mussolini fears that the wild race for armaments and organization o f new political blocs is rapidly forcing Europe to the brink o f a conflict even more terrible than the World War. Mr. Brown asks : “ Will Italy fight beside or against Germany in the next war?” and then answers his own question: “ Nobody knows, not even Mussolini himself, for the political map of Europe is changing so rapidly it is impossible to say what the alignment will be.” Italy is leaving nothing to chance. Mr. Brown con tinues : The Brenner Pass, looking toward Austria and Ger many, is heavily fortified. The Italo-Jugoslav frontier bristles with “pill boxes,” trenches and emplacements. Roads leading into France and Switzerland are dotted by imposing camps o f Italy’s hand-picked Alpine troops. Every Italian port, since the threat o f war between Eng land and Italy, has been strengthened with anti-aircraft batteries, heavy coast artillery, mine layers and flotillas o f submarines .— (L os Angeles Times, July 30, 1936). Bernard van Lierop o f the Belgian Gospel Mission informs us that a map The Roman
A dozen new military airports have been established recently, and the old ones improved and enlarged. Fifteen hundred new airplanes are being built, and as many new student pilots are in training. Key industries have been nationalized. Mussolini believes he can throw the entire nation into war over night. Brown refers to “ Italy’s un precedented preparations for the next war,” and closes his dispatch with the significant words: “ The newly created Italian Empire must be reckoned with.” Students of prophecy are watching these developments with great interest. We are nearing the end of “ the times of the Gentiles,” and prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. Every Christian should read and ponder the book o f Daniel and the book of Revelation with new inter est. Such a study should have a sanctifying influence upon our conduct and service. “ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). The expressive word “ going-to-do-er” “ Going-to- used by the Logan Observer o f Iowa gives Do-ers” the New York Times occasion to write an editorial. The writer reminds us that while the word was originally applied to a Congressman, it can not be so restricted but applies to much the larger part of the population. He speaks o f Mr. Micawber’s son in David Copperfield who never carried out his good intentions, and o f how near he is to us o f common clay. The following sentences are quoted from the editorial: “ Politicians, early, often, and usually, are ‘going-to- do-ers.’ ” “ W e are going to save money next year.” “ The lives o f most o f us are a series o f broken resolu tions and plans.” There are “ going-to-do-ers” in the spiritual realm. There are unsaved men and women who intend to accept Christ sometime, but not now. They want to enjoy the pleasures of sin a little longer. They give the flower o f youth to the service o f Satan, and then offer the stem o f senility to God. It is not fair to give Christ the ashes of a life burnt out in sin. Christ wants not only our souls for eternal joy but also our service through the passing days. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that there will be an opportunity to be saved tomorrow. “ Now is the ac cepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6 :2 ). “ Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3 :7, 8 ). You could be in eternity tomorrow; therefore you dare not procrastinate. Accept Christ now. How about the Christian “ going-to-do-ers” ? Tomor row you are going to live a consistent, overcoming life. Tomorrow you are going to dedicate your personality and everything to God. Tomorrow you are going to begin to read the Word systematically and pray regularly. T o morrow you are going to witness for Christ. How about today? “ Free Meal Tomorrow” was the statement on a placard in a restaurant window. A man who passed by decided to come back on the morrow. He returned the following day and asked for the free meal. “ Oh, that’s tomorrow,” said the proprietor. Remember that tomorrow never comes. It is today that we are to live for Christ and serve Him. It is today that we should be stewards and witnesses. It is today that we should be intercessors. It is today that we should feed on the Word. It is today that we should win souls. It is today that we should say an eternal “ yes” to Christ and surrender our lives to His control. Don’t be a “ going-to-do-er.” Be a “ doer.” “ But be ye doers o f the word, and not hearers only,- deceiving your own selves” (Jas. 1 :22).
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Interesting Scientificc ACCURACIES in the Bible fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth B y ALVA J. McCLAIN* and uprightness” (vs. 7, 8 ). Scientific truth Ashland,"“Ohio
and religious truth must agree, because they have their common source in the one true God whose “ works” and “ commandments” are both “ done in truth.” P rinciples of a F air I nvestigation
Any unprejudiced investigation of the re lation o f the Bible and science should keep in mind at least four principles. First, as Profes sor Townsend pointed out many years ago, we should be careful to distinguish between what the Bible says and what is sometimes said in the Bible. In many places the Bible records the thinking and utterances o f fallible men. In Isaiah 2 2 :13 it is said: “ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die.” In Malachi 3:14 you may read: “ It is vain to serve God.” In Romans 3 :8 it 'is recorded:, “ Let us do evil, that good may come.” These things are said in the Bible, but the Bible does not say them. They were spoken by men, and recorded in the Bible. And the record is verbally inspired. Thus when the Word quotes Satan as saying, “ Ye shall not surely die,” we may be sure that he spoke those very words. The words are a lie, but the record o f the incident is true. So also-when we read o f Jacob’s ideas concerning prenatal control, recorded in Genesis 30, we should not be over-hasty to ascribe these notions to the Bible. Second, we should remember that many attacks upon the Bible for alleged scientific blunders have been based upon what it was supposed to teach, not upon what it really does teach. Sound exegesis and interpretation are the most effective weapons against the critical foe in the camp of modern science. All the Bible asks, or needs, is fair treat ment at the hands o f its critics. It is a rather well recog nized principle that at least a reasonable amount o f knowl edge in any field o f knowledge is required before men are competent to set themselves up as responsible critics in that field. Unfortunately it seems to be the opinion in many quarters that any one is competent to sit in judgment upon the Bible, regardless of his limited knowledge. I re call the case of the lumber dealer, an avowed unbeliever, who became interested in the Bible because he heard a ser mon on Noah’s ark. Rather startled at its huge dimensions, he sat down to figure the thousands o f feet o f lumber re quired for its construction. Through this means he began to read the Bible, and he found, to his surprise, that it was an interesting book. But one day he chanced upon the pas sage which read that “ the children of the Levites bare the ark o f God upon their shoulders” (1 Chron. 15:15), and throwing the Book down, he declared that he was sure now that it was “ all a pack o f lies” ! Many criticisms o f the Bible, on alleged scientific grounds, are based on interpre tations which are not much more intelligent. Third, to those acquainted with the history of Biblical
To the ancients the heavens contained only one thousand heavenly b o d i e s . Pictured above is the nebula In the con stellation of Andromeda, of which the central portion is shown at the right. Visible to the eye as single stars, nebulae are believed by astronomers to be, in at least some cases, great "island universes" Containing an innumerable host of stars. It was in these terms that God counted Abraham's posterity: "Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them . . . So shall thy seed be" (Gen. 15:5).
“ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psa. 119:160). T his text makes a most remarkable assertion. Accord ing to its testimony, the Bible can never become an obsolete book. The Word inscribed upon its pages was true when it was written; the same Word is true today, and a thousand millenniums hence it will still be true. There may be a certain degree of relativity to what man is pleased to call “ truth,” since his ideas are constantly changing, but the Revelation o f God depends for its truth upon neither time, place, nor circumstance. It is “ true from the begin ning” and “ endureth for ever.” In this respect the written W ord partakes o f the nature of the incarnate Word. He in His own blessed Person was “ the truth,” and of Him the writer o f Hebrews declares that He is “ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (1 3 :8 ). If the Bible is in any real sense the “ Word o f God,” then it is impossible that there should be any contradiction between its statements and the findings o f science. For sci ence, if it be true, is simply an orderly and systematized description o f nature, and nature is the work o f God. Be tween God’s Word and His works there can be no final conflict. It seems to me that this truth is taught very clearly in Psalm 111: “ The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand
*Dean, The Ashland Theological Seminary.
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ignorant, in all places, and in all ages. A mention o f the “ sun rising” is understood perfectly by both the African savage and Dr. Einstein. It is one of the marks o f Biblical inspiration that when God desired to give His supreme revelation in the New Testament writings, He spoke not in the language of the intelligentsia, but in the “ koine,” the Greek o f the common man of the streets. T he C hristian V iew of the B ible and S cience As to the relation of the Bible and science, the follow ing statements represent in general the position that the Christian thinker must hold: (1 ) The Bible was not writ ten primarily to teach us the natural sciences, but rather to reveal God’s plan and work in saving sinners. (2 ) It is a fact, however, that the Bible touches upon many matters which fall within the domain o f those sciences; and for this reason it is folly to postulate an absolute separation between the two. (3 ) The Bible, when patiently studied and fairly interpreted, will be found to contain none o f the absurdities so common to other ancient literature, but A noted scientist states: "The leaves of On the c o n tr a r y dis- trees seem to act as efficient bacterial plays many striking ■ ■ gS B!,l?le ther! H i f J . *, 1 , 1 concerning the tree of life : The harmonies with the es- leaves of the tree were for the healing tablished facts o f sci- of the nations" (Rev. 22:2).
criticism it is quite well known that many of the alleged inaccuracies o f the Bible have been based on scientific theories, not upon established facts. It is well to recall in this connection that even the scientists have made mistakes in the past. Professor Lyell, a noted geologist in his day, once said: “ In the year 1806 the French Institute enum erated no less than eighty geological theories which were hostile to the Scriptures; but not one of those theories is held today.” Before any man has a right to pronounce the Bible at fault scientifically, he should be certain, not only that his interpretation o f the Bible is sound, but also that he is dealing with an established fact o f science. With these two points settled, then he would be eligible to dis cuss the mistakes o f the Bible. T he B ible and S cientific T erms Fourth, in approaching the Bible, the investigator must not expect to find nature described with the terminology o f science. It is well understood that a man may speak accurately on a scientific subject even though he may not employ the technical language o f science. There are sev eral reasons why the Bible avoids such terminology. For one thing, scientific terms are constantly changing. Some become obsolete; others are being coined to describe and designate the new discoveries. The Bible, as a revelation from God, had to come to man at some point in human his tory. I f it had adopted the scientific terminology of any particular age in the past, it would have been out of date within a short period of time. If it had been given in the language o f the final science— assuming, o f course, that God knows His own world— no one would be able to under- stand it, not even the most learned scientists. Furthermore, even we ourselves, and also the greatest scientists o f the age, are not accustomed to using the language and strict terminology of science in speaking of nature. All of us constantly speak of the sun as “ rising” and “ setting,” when every schoolboy knows that the sun does nothing of the kind, but that the revolution o f the earth upon its axis only makes the sun appear to “ rise” and “ set.” Why then should we find fault with the Bible for using such language? It is unquestionably a great mercy for most o f us that God does not use scientific phraseology in His Word. Let the reader consider this specimen taken from a daily newspaper: A young surgeon, recently out of school, was called to testify in an assault case. Under oath he stated that he found the injured plaintiff “ suffering from a severe contusion o f the integuments under the left orbit, with great extravasation o f blood and ecchymosis in the surrounding cellular tissues, which were in a state o f tu midity.” The twelve “ good men and true” on the jury, having heard the testimony, concluded that the plaintiff must have been nearly killed, and they were about to render a verdict in his favor when the counsel for the defense, who also was somewhat acquainted with medical terminology, pointed out that the learned savant had given a description o f what ordinarily is called a “ black eye” ! Now, if we wish to be scientifically exact in our description, we should re member that a “ black eye” is not black, but blue or indigo. Nevertheless, everybody knows precisely what«we mean when we speak o f a “ black eye.” And, after all, the real purpose o f language is to convey intelligible knowledge. When it fails to do this, it is useless. The Bible was not written especially for any select group o f intellectuals, but for the common people, the care worn, struggling, suffering millions o f the race who have had little opportunity to master scientific terms and keep abreast o f the times. In the main, therefore, when the Bible speaks of nature, it uses the language of appearance. Such language is understood by all men, the wise and the
ence. It is the main purpose o f this article to point out a few of the harmonies. T he S cience of ; P lant L ife The O ld T e s ta ment mentions o v e r two hund red speci mens o f plant life, r a n g i n g from the stately cedar o f Leb anon down to the little vine that clings to the wall; yet it contains none o f the erroneous notions found in other contemporaneous writ ings? Genesis 1:11 con tains an interesting reference. S p eak ing of the botanical world, it suggests the follow ing threefold division o f plant life: .“ Grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit, tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself.” T h e w o r d translated “ grass” is the Hebrew “deshe,” wh ich , according to Ellicott, refers to “ a mere greenness, with out visible seed or stalk, such as to this day may be seen on the surface of rocks.” This threefold divi- [Continued on page 339]
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Young M a n ’s QUESTIONS B y f . j . c a r t e r Los Angeles, California
Septuagint version. That was many years before even the first New Testament book was written. When the New Testament eventually appeared, it was written in Greek. So while it is true that the entire Bible was written in Greek before it appeared in Latin, it must be made clear that only the New Testament was originally written in Greek, and that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, although it was later translated into Greek. F red : Then the Bible was not written all at one time. I haven’t given the matter much thought, but because I have always believed that God wrote the Bible, I seemed to take it for granted that it was written all at one time. You said a moment ago that the Old Testament was written before
S etting : Fred Smith, the recent ly elected president of the Young People’s Society, knocks on the door of the pastor’s study. P astor : Come in. Why, hello, Fred. Congratulations! How does it feel to be a president ? F red : That’s just what I’ve come to see you about, Pastor. Since be com in g P r e s id e n t o f the Y o u n g People’s Society, I find that I’m supposed to know a lot more than I really do. I didn’t realize how igno
Mr. Carter
the New Testament. The Old Testament was written all at once, was it not ? P astor : By no means. Hun dreds of years elapsed before the Old Testament was finished. And if we take the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, we can say that about thirty-six different writers were engaged in the task o f writing it, over a period o f ap proximately sixteen hundred years. God inspired the different authors to write what He wanted written ; so we can say that God is the real Author o f the Bible. F red : I never thought o f it in that way before. I suppose we could fall back upon the fact of its unity and harmony as an indication that the Bible was really given by inspiration o f God. P astor : Yes. It is something like an inventor who planned to make a complicated machine. He knew what he wanted to make. The complete plans were in his mind. But he had a piece made here, and a piece made there, a piece made this year, and a piece made that year, and when all the pieces were finally brought together, they fitted perfectly, and formed the piece o f m a ch in e ry that was o r ig in a lly planned. F red : I see it, Pastor. God took sixteen hundred years to make the Bible. A book was written here, and one there, one in this century, and one in that century, until finally the completed Bible appeared. P astor : That’s it, exactly. But that takes us only to the time in the first century a . d . when the last book o f the New Testament appeared. I suppose you want to know what has been happening since then.
rant I was until some o f the mem bers began asking me questions which I couldn’t answer. P astor : What, for instance ? F red : Well, Jack Spence want ed to know whether the Bible as we have it today was always in that form. P astor : And what did you tell him? F red : Not very much, I can assure you. But I remembered that last year was the four-hundredth anniversary of the Coverdale Bible and I told him that the Bible we have today is a development from it. But he began asking more ques tions, and that is the reason I ’ve come to see you. I want some in formation. Could you spare a few minutes to tell me something o f the origin of the Bible? P astor : C e rta in ly , F red . I have an appointment in half an hour, but I shall be glad to talk with you until then. What, in par ticular, would you like to know ? F red : I told Jack I thought the Bible had been in Latin before it appeared in English. Would I be correct in saying that the Bible was written in Greek before it was written in Latin ? P astor : Yes and no. The Old Testarrient was originally written in Hebrew, but it was translated into Greek in what we know as the [As a member o f the faculty o f the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, the author o f this article has taught, among other subjects, Biblical Introduction, New Testament Greek, and Greek Exegesis. In this summary o f many young people's problems, Mr. Carter brings a background for the discussion which in recent years has centered around the early English versions o f the Scrip iMrej.—E ditor .]
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B E G IN N IN G O F THE B O O K O F NUMBERS, G U T EN BE RG BIBLE Outstanding among volumes on permanent view at the Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif., is the Guten berg Bible, a page of which is shown here. This edition of the Latin Vulgate is the earliest extant European printed book. It embodies the ideals of bookmaking inherited by the first printers from the manuscript era. Other Bibles in the collections, some of which are con stantly on display to the public, are the Gundulf Bible — a manuscript in Latin, on vellum; Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament (1534 edition); two copies of the rare first edition of the Coverdale Bible; early editions of the "Matthew Bible" and the "Great Bible," and a first edition of the Authorized Version of the Bible in English, printed in 1611. Apart from the visitor's opportunity to see the Bibles on exhibition, accredited scholars are making extensive use of the hundreds of Bible in the Huntington collections for research.
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