T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S always deciding, the Romanist thinks he never does so. The only difference, however, between the .Romanist and the Protestant is that the former makes a tremendous act of decision once for all, while the latter distributes it over the whole of life. The Romanist de cides by means of private judgment that private judgment in matters of faith is wrong and a root of all evil! Since the Bible was written by com mon men and for common people, the language of common life is used, and. therefore, the obvious meaning of a passage must generally be accepted as the true meaning. The reason of a saved man, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, is abundantly able to understand and interpret the Word of God. The difficulty of interpreting Scripture has been greatly exaggerated. There have always been disputed points relating to translations, history, science and chro nology, buit these matters are quite apart from the knowledge necessary to holy living. The claim of inspiration is that the Word of God is an infallible and sufficient rule in all matters of faith and practice. The differences and dis sensions springing from the exercise of private judgment have also been greatly exaggerated. There is far greater unity among evangelical believers than is generally supposed. 4. Reason, having discovered the need, ascertained the existence and in terpreted the meaning .of revelation, stands aside and confesses that its work is done. Having placed revelation on the throne, reason sits submissively at the footstool. Having demonstrated the integrity and inerrancy of the Scriptures, reason submits to their authority. Reason itself needs a safeguard and a guide, because it is finite and fallible. Man was ruined by the fall. Sin has crippled the intellect, corrupted the sensibility and paralyzed the will. The judgment is no longer trustworthy.
666
A DR. F. W. FARR 3 A Pastor Calvary BapTlst Church, Los Angeles ' /p la ce that it was the will of Christ that the church should possess this power / and in the second place that the Roman church is that particular one to which the power has been committed. The first is a question of Scripture in terpretation, and the second of histori cal investigation. Any one who is com petent to decide these questions is sure ly able to decide any other matter of biblical interpretation or Christian doc trine. The authority of the church cannot be appealed to, since it is this very au thority that is in question. It is not reasonable to take such a conclusion on trust. As a matter of fact, the acceptance of the entire Romanist position rests on an act of judgment. Because he is not J
Made with FlippingBook Annual report