VOL. VII
JULY, 1916
No. 7
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The King's Business
”Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”—-Rev. 1:5
Published once a month by the BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U. S. A.
ONE D O L L A R A YEAR
ÏEln Ü C i t t g 0 lu s ted MOTTO : “I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.”—Isa. 27:3. R. A. TORREY, D. D., Editor T.C. HORTON, J.H . HUNTER, WILLIAM EVANS, D. D„ Associate Editors A. M. ROW, Managing Editor Published by the BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES, Inc. Los Angeles, California, U. S. A. Entered as Second-Class Matter November 17, 1910, at the postoffice at Los Angeles, Cal., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Copyright by R. A. Torrey, D. D., and Bible Institute of Los Angeles, for the year 1916.
DIRECTORS
R. A. T orrey, vice-president Leon V. Shaw, treasu rer. ' William Evans. Giles Kellogg.
Lyman Stew art, president. William T horn, secretary. T . C. H orton, superintendent. E. A. K. H ackett. H. A. Getz.
J. M. Irvine.
N athan Newby
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT We hold to the H istoric Faith of th e C hurch as expressed in the Common C reed of Evangelical C hristendom and including: T he T rinity of th e Godhead. T he Deity of th e Christ.
T he Maintenance of Good Works. T he Second Coming of Christ. T he Immortality of the Spirit. The R esurrection of the Body. T he Life Everlasting of Believers. T he Endless Punishm ent of the Im penitent. T he Reality and Personality of Satan. (7 ) Bible Women. House-to-house visitation and neighborhood classes. (8 ) Oil Fields. A mission to men on the oil fields. (9 ) Books and T racts. Sale and dis tribution of selected books and tracts. ( 10) H arbor W ork. For seamen at Los Angeles harbor. ( 11) Yokefellows* Hall. Thoroughly manned. O u r Mission for men with Street Meetings, and Bootblacks and Newsboys Sunday School. ( 12) P rint Shop. For printing T esta ments, books, tracts, etc. A complete establishment, profits going to free dis-
T h e Personality of the Holy Ghost. T he Supernatural and P lenary a u thority of the Holy Scriptures. T he Unity in Diversity of th e Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. T he Substitutionary A tonement. The Necessity of th e New Birth. • T he Institute trains, free * of cost, accredited men and women, in the know ledge and use of the Bible. ~ , , ( 3 ) T he Institut s D e p a r t m e n t s . Classes held daily except on Saturdays and Sundays. (2 ) Extension work. Classes and conferences held in neighboring cities and towns. (3 ) Evangelistic. Meetings conducted by o u r evangelists. (4 ) Spanish Mission. Meetings every night. (5 ) Shop W ork. R egular services in shops and factories. (6 ) Jewish Evangelism. Personal work among the Hebrews.
SCOPE OF THE WORK
æ THE KING’S BU S INE SS æ Vol. ¥11. JULY, 1916 No. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial: Valuable Work on Prayer—The Minister’s Vacation — Much-Appreciated Endorsement — The Opportunities of Summertime—The Montrose Bible Conference—Blessings of Peace—To What Is God Calling Us?— Ignorant Criticism of the Church............. 5 79 Study of the Bible. By W. H. Griffith Thomas, D. D.......... 585 Light on Puzzling Passages and Problems............................... 590 Evangelists Sent Out.................................................. .—.....r..,. 592 Great Revivals and Evangelists—V. William C. Burns (Continued). By John H. Hunter.................................. 593 Prods for the Critics. By William Evans, D. D..................... 597 A Classic on Invitation. B^ D. L. Moody............................. 601 Story of the Fishermen’s Club.................................................. 607 Through the Bible with Dr. Evans........ ..........................:......... 609 Bible Institute Activities. By the Superintendents............... 61 5 Homiletical Helps. By William Evans, D. D.............620 International Sunday School Lessons, By R. A. Torrey and T. C. H o rton ........................................................ J............ 625 Daily Devotional Studies in the New Testament for Indi vidual Meditation and Family Worship. By R. A. Torrey ........ 644
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T H E K IN G ’S B U S I N E S S
No. 7
JULY, 1916.
Vol 7
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E D I T O R I A L In the May number of T he K ing ' s B usiness an article appears by President Charles A. Blanchard of Wheaton College, under the title, “What is an Answer to Prayer.” This article is a chapter from his book,
Valuable Work on Prayer.
“Getting Things from God,” and appeared in the magazine, not only that our readers might be profited by reading' the article, but still more that they might be led to buy the book and read it as a whole. These facts were inadvertently omitted. We wish to heartily recommend this book as one of the very best on prayer that we have recently read. The price is 35 cents, in paper cover, and 75 cents in cloth, and can be secured from the Biola Book Room.
There are many who think that a faithful minister of the gospel should never take a vacation. Their argu- ment is that the devil never takes a vacation, why should the minister of Christ ? The argument is spe
The Minister’? Vacation.
cious, but will not bear careful examination. Faithful ministers have bodies and those bodies do tire out, if they carry on their work for eleven months as they ought to carry it on, and the mind needs a rest too. The minister who works as he ought for eleven months and takes a vacation for one month will accomplish more than the man who takes no vacation. But while the minister ought to take a vacation, he should decide with much prayer as to where he will take it and as to how he will take it. He certainly ought not to take it in any way that will result in a letting down of his own spiritual life. He should take it in such a way that when he comes back to his work he will not only be stronger physically and mentally, but stronger spiritually. He certainly ought not to let down at all in his moral ideals and should not permit himself to do in vacation time the things that he could not conscientiously do when actively engaged in God’s work. He ought to take plenty of time for the' study of God’s Word and plenty of time for prayer. In these there will be no weari ness, but rather restfulness. Most ministers would do well, from the stand point of their physical welfare, ^s well as from the standpoint of spiritual culture, to attend some one of the Bible conferences of which in our day there are so many. One of the largest and most influential congregations Much-Appreciated in this country is the First Presbyterian Church of Endorsement. Seattle, Washington. It has had a remarkable his tory, its growth having been phenomenal,' and has awakened attention all over the United States. Its growth has not been in any wise due to a compromise with the spirit of the age, either in doctrine or
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THE KING’S BUSINESS practice; it has been celebrated for its orthodoxy of faith as well as for its energy in service, and success in achievement. Rev. Dr. Mark Matthews, the pastor, was chosen as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in 1915. He has stood like a rock for the faith once for all delivered to the saints and was untiring in his visitation of the churches. At a recent gathering of the Session of this great church the following resolutions, which will be^of great interest to all readers of T he K ing ’ s B usiness , were unanimously passed and spread upon the minutes: “B e I t R esolved , By the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, in regular monthly meeting assembled, that the Bible work now being done and hereafter to be done, of an institutional character, shall be connected with and considered a part of the work being done by the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. “Be it further resolved, That we offer said school every encouragement, sympathy and moral assistance possible. “Be it further resolved, That we urge pupils of this church and commun ity who contemplate attending a Bible school to attend the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. “Be it further resolved, That the doctrinal statement of said Bible Insti tute be and the same is hereby incorporated and adopted as the doctrinal state ment of the Bible work being done by this church.” not be carried on as well in Summer as in Autumn, Winter and Spring, Sum mer offers peculiar opportunities for other forms of Christian activity. While it is difficult to get the people to come in large numbers to services inside the church building in sweltering weather, very large audiences may be gathered in the open air and ift wisely located tents—far larger audiences in many cases than could ever be gathered in any building that is available. There is no need of closing up our work in the Summer, but the work should be pushed along different lines from those followed at other seasons of the year. The minister himself may need a rest of a month or more, but Hymen can be found with the ability, the time, and the willingness for the work. The minister'who is willing to go out into the open air and preach, where the Lord Jesus and Paul did most of their preaching, will often find he can reach men in the Summer time that he could not reach in the Winter,-and that he can have a larger har vest of souls in the Summer than he ever had in the Winter. More than one city church has abandoned its church and gone into a tent during the warm period, with the result that when Autumn came it was necessary to build a new church. The country church that is situated near a grove will often do well on pleasant Sunday mornings and evenings to vacate the church and hold the meetings in the open air. Two Summers ago the writer was over Sunday in a little country community. The regular morning service was held in the church and was poorly attended and dull. .In the afternoon and at night we went out into a grove about a mile away. Hundreds of people gathered, the services were full of interest and there were a number of conversions. This experience can be repeated in almost any country community. But Summer not only presents unusual opportunities for gatherings in the open air, but it also gives In many churches the months of July, August and September are months in which there is a great let down in attendance, work and achievement. While there are certain forms of religious activity that can The Opportunities of Summertime.
THE KING’S BUSINESS 581 unusual opportunity for personal work. The streets'and parks and beaches are crowded with people who are housed during most of thé year. A con secrated worker can go in among them, and by personal work and a wise use of tracts can lead hundreds to Christ. Instead of letting down in our work we should push it in the Summertime more than at any other time of the year. In England a great deal is made of services on the sand at seaside resorts, services not only for adults, but special services for children. At some seaside resorts a beginning of this kind has been made in America, but the work is not being pushed as it ought to be. Let us all determine that we will make this Summer such a season of ingathering as this country has not seen for many a year. ________________ While the Montrose Bible Conference is like some The Montrose other Bible Conferences in numerous important Bible Conference. respects, it probably stands almost alone in the empha sis that it lays upon systematic and coherent Bible teach ing. While there are other Confèrences that have perhaps as many distin guished teachers from both sides of the Atlantic, there is perhaps no other where the teachers are selected with such careful reference to the lines of teaching that they will pursue, and as to the way that they will fit with the other teachers who are invited. The object is not so much to get a great variety of teachers as to secure a harmonious and well-balanced program. Instead of putting on a good many men for one or two addresses each, the aim is to have each teacher give at least one address each day of the Conference, with the Iexception of one rest-day for each teacher. The managers of the Conference think that they have secured this year what is on the whole, the best program that they have ever been able to offer. The principal teachers will be : Rev. W- H. Griffith Thomas, D. D„ Rev. William Evans, D. D.„ Rev. William B. Riley, D. D., Rev. Harris H. Gregg, D. D., Rev. George Màhy, D. D .'D r. R. A. Torrey, Rev. J. M. Maclnnes, Ph. D., Rev. Charles Hurlburt (of Kijabe, Africa), Rev. W. S. Jacoby. . . . There will also be a number of speakers fromnhe foreign field, and it is expected one hour will be given each day to a consideration of foreign mission work. There will be an hour each day for Ministers’ Conferences, and other conferences will be held along special lines. The Montrose Conference will be held at Montrose, Pa., July 28 to August 6. It is in better financial condition than ever before, provision having been made for the payment of the entire floating debt. An article appeared a little while ago in the news- Blessings papers telling how a gentleman who had just arrived of Peace. .> from Europe became so hysterically happy over his reaching a land where peace prevailed, that he went, up Broadway laughing and yelling and shouting until at last the police, think ing he was insane» took him in charge. - When they asked him to explain him self he could hardly bring himself under control, but every now and then would fall into laughter and chuckles. When finally he did get control of himself he told them' that he was an American and had been in Europe ever since the war began and this was his first visit home; that he was so happy to get into peace ful America once more that he had to give way to his emotions.- One paper
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THE KING’S BUSINESS reports him as saying that the rheumatism might double him up, or he might have to beg his bread from door to door, but so long as he was allowed to live and breathe in the United States he expected to be happy. He had seen Europe, he knew the misery over there, he had travelled much and seen it all. And the comparison between this peaceful country and the troubled world on the other side of the ocean was so much in favor of this side he expected never again to complain at anything or to be dejected. He had seen thousands and thousands of people without homes—living in the fields and fence corners and in the alleys of the cities. He had seen women and children lying dead along the road with no one paying the slightest attention to their corpses. He had seen men who had been prosperous a year ago, now walking about dazed and poverty-stricken. He had known happy families to be shot to pieces in a day, and remnants scattered to the winds, never again to be got together in a family. He had been hounded by spies and officers, and arrested on suspicion, and thrown into prison and neglected. He had been robbed of everything he had half a dozen times.. He had gone hungry with money in his pocket, and had almost famished for water on several occasions. He had become infested with vermin, as nearly all of Europe had. He had seen houses burning, with nobody trying to suppress the flames, and women and children crying in front of them. He had geen men torn and shattered on the battle-field, lying on the platforms of railroad-stations, waiting for jolty trains to take them to hospitals. Escap ing from such a seething hell of misery, and landing upon the shores of this quiet country, could any one blame him for almost losing his reason in rejoic ing? Yet there are some who vaunt their patriotism who are longing for this country to get into, the war. Let us. rather thank God that thus far He has preserved us in peace. It is nothing for which we can take any special credit to ourselves, ,but it is something for which we can devoutly and earnestly thank God. it was originally addressed, but to Christians everywhere: When men’s hearts everywhere are failing for fear; when the darkest clouds of sin and slaughter and suffering the world has ever seen, hang overs us; when the end of the age draws near and millions still wait in total ignorance that there is a Saviour, what manner of persons ought we—children of the Loving Omni potent God—to be? Is our Jehovah God able to give us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, of His grace, His love, His steadfastness, His power, His victory, His fruitfulness? Is He able to send forth many laborers even in these difficult times? Is He able to keep His promise and “supply every need,” even now? Our membership in the mission testifies that we have each heard the Divine Order for Africa’s evangelization: Is there any honorable retreat?. Our Lord said: “According to your faith;” “pray ye the Lord of the Harvest that He send forth laborers,” and “whatsoever ye ask, believe and ye shall have.” Shall this new year pass with only a few new workers? “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye leave much fruit.” Shall we then be content with little or none? “He that abideth in Me and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” Shall we per mit anything to keep us out of that fruitful abiding? Shall we this year find grace to see that no person—no people—no powers of earth or hell—nothing but self— can prevent or limit the exceeding abundant blessings, temporal and spiritual, which God desires to give us? In these days of darkness that are spreading over the whole earth) the following message received a while ago from Charles Hurlburt, in the heart of Africa, seems peculiarly timely, not only for those to whom To What Is God Calling Us ?
THE KING’S .BUSINESS 583 “One of you shall chase a thousand.” “If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” “With God noth ing shall be impossible.” Shall we then blame conditions or other people for our prayer-failure? Shall we permit any shadow of unconquered or unforsaken sin to make our prayers powerless or our work fruitiest? With the Omnipotent One standing beside us, shall we permit the common fear to make us cowards? While millions pour out their life-blood in whole-hearted zeal for imperfect human gov ernments, shall we do our God-appointed work of praying for laborers and preach ing the Gospel with half-hearted zeal? He taught us to “pray without ceasing.” Shall one day pass without mighty intercession? Are we sinking in the troubled waters about our own feet? “Jesus caught (Peter) and said, Oh! thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Do the failures of men fill our hearts with gloom? "They looked unto Him and were radiant.” Shall we pray as never before “Thy Kingdom come?” Shall we pray for the vast numbers dying oil battle-fields? Shall we pray for the vaster numbers (dying unwarned on mission-fields? Shall we pray for the living millions in Africa who are still in total darkness? Will a faith that pleases God ask less than enough for all ? Shall we pray with tender hearts for the millions sorrowing in death- shadowed homes? Shall we pray daily humbly and earnestly for the thousands at home to whom God said, “Go ye,” and they went not? Do we see terrible signs of the approaching end of the age? “Lift up your hea,ds—your redemption draweth nigh.” “Seeing ye look for such things.” “What manner of'persons ought ye to be?” “Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” which the church exists, and of what the church demands of its membership. He says: “The Church says children are unregenerate and need to be born anew; the democrat says many of them are victims of vicious living conditions imposed by greed and the industrial exploitation of human rights. The Church would save them by the mystery of baptism or of faith, the democrat thinks that they would save- themselves in a fair society, etcT It is true that the Church, if it stands by the Bible, does teach that children are unregenerate until they are born again, and that they do need to be born anew, and in this the Church is perfectly correct. And while the Church knows that they often times, are “victims of vicious living conditions imposed by greed and the industrial exploitation of human rights,” it knows by long experience, universal experience, that merely correcting their living conditions will not regenerate them nor save them. But to say that the Church as a whole “would save them by the mystery of baptism or of faith” is to show one’s utter ignorance of the teachings of the Bible and the Church. The Church would save them by bring ing them to a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and a per sonal surrender to Him as their Lord and Master, and the Church has demon strated by centuries of experience that when people are thus brought to accept Christ, they are born again, their whole life is transformed and they become of some use in the regeneration of society. The critic goes on to say that “Church membership is for those who believe thus and so, and who submit to a certain ritual. These are the measures of excellence.” Now there is no question the Church does insist upon believing something, and some churches believe in submission to a certain ritual, but not most churches of the present day. But believing an orthodox doctrine and A recent writer in “The American Journal of Sociol- ogy,” has attempted to take the church severely to task for lagging behind in social reform. The whole article displays a curious ignorance of the purpose for Ignorant Criticism of the Church.
584 THE KING’S BUSINESS submitting to a certain ritual are not “the measures of excellence.” From thou sands of pulpits over the land it rings out every Sunday that mere orthodoxy
V
*
Study of the Bible
By Rev. W. H. Griffith Thomas, D. D. One of the Most Eminent Expositors of Scripture Living Today
Note:—This is another of the series of Bible addresses delivered by Dr. Thomas at the Montrose (Pa.) Bible Conference last summer, several of which have appeared in The King's Business. This one was delivered on August 7.
i. The Telescopic Method. This may be described as the endeavor to obtain “a bird’s eye view of the Bible,” a knowledge of Books and portions, rather than of texts. It is often said that a man is in danger of not seeing the wood for the trees, meaning that he is so intent upon particular trees that he is unable to ap preciate the beauty and proportion of the trees as a whole which form the wood. In the same way, it is only too possible to concentrate attention on words and texts and fail to see the larger aspects of God’s Word. For this reason, it is necessary and important to master each Book by itself. God has given the Bible in separate, though connected Books, sixty-six in number, and we shall be doing what is at once the most natural and also the most helpful thing by endeavoring to master each Book. Per haps there are three questions to be asked as we approach a Book: What? When? Why ? That is, we must see what the Book contains; try to discover something of the date and circumstances of its issue, and
the Bible is a revela- tion, wields an authority, con- f Z ^ j ^ J i a i n s a message and carries a power, it is essential to Ifcok a *^0) know its contents. For only in proportion as we are acquainted with it, can its revelation, authority, message, and power have their proper effect in our lives. This calls for Bible Study and there are various methods', all of which are helpful. The following books among others may be mentioned: ‘‘The Joy of Bible Study by Harrington C. Lees: “How to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit,” by Dr. Torrey ; “The Study of the Bible,” by Dr. W. Ev ans; “Methods of Bible Study,” by Grif fith Thomas. But in particular there are two ways which call for special attention. I. T he Bible should be- studied like any o th er book. This means that we should endeavor to become acquainted with it, getting to know what it contains, and it implies nothing short of actual mastery of the contents. We may proceed along two distinct, yet con nected lines of work.
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then do our utmost to gather the precise meaning and message of its contents. For this purpose we shall be well advised 'to read a book straight through at once in order to obtain a general view of it as a whole. Then it will be well to do the same again, without stopping unduly to attend to details. A third reading in this way will be most profitable, especially if at the same time we endeavor to make our own analysis of the Book. When we have endeavored to gain our own impression of what the Book is and contains, then, and not till then, we may compare the results of our reading with those of some writer. Thus, we may look at the analysis of a Book in the “Analyzed Bible” series by Dr. Campbell Morgan, or we might take the treatment found in “Synthetic Studies” or “The Christian Worker’s Commentary” by Dr. J. M. Gray. The Book method of Bible Study will in any case prove most fruitful. THE BOOK METHOD As suggesting what may be' done in this way, let us turn to the Book of Genesis. A general reading will at once show that there are two main divisions, the first cover ing chapters 1 to 11 and the second, chap ters 12 to SO. The former covers thous ands of years and may be summed up in five words: Creation, Corruption, Deluge, Deliverance, Dispersal. The remaining thirty-nine chapters deal in detail with the lives of a few men, and five may be said to cover practically the whole: Abraham, Isaac, Esau, Jacob, Joseph. From jthis mere outline it would be possible to pro ceed to the thorough study of the contents of the fascinating first Book of the Bible. Or take Isaiah. The first thirty-five chapters deal mainly with Assyria. Then come four chapters of history, followed by twenty-seven chapters dealing mainly with Babylonia. It is noteworthy how the first two chapters of the history (36 and 37) look back over the first period, while the other two chapters of the history (38 and 39) look forward over the second period. This summary can be further divided into
smaller sections, and the whole Book thereby be mastered. Look at Matthew’s Gospel. The key is to be found in two passages, each contain ing the phrase “From that, time” (4:17; 16:21). Everything before the former is introductory; then between the two we have our Lord’s preaching without a sin gle reference to His death; but from the time of the latter of these texts, He began to tell His disciples what would happen. Thus, we may think of Matthew’s Gospel as giving to us the preparation (1:1-4:16) ; the proclamation (4 :17-16:20) ; and the passion (16:21-28:20). John’s Gospel is also capable of thorough Study by itself. There are two main divis ions connected by the phrase “His own.” The former covers chapters 1-12, dealing with “His own” who did not receive Him (1:11). The latter covers chapters 13-21, dealing chiefly with “His own” who did receive Him (13:1). The Book of Acts' is also capable of thorough mastery by itself. There are two chief sections. The former with Jerusalem as the center (1-12) and the latter with Antioch (13-28). But it is interesting to notice that each of these is marked by sub divisions, indicative of periods in the his tory _of the Church when the writer was able to summarize results up to a certain pqint. Thus, in chapters' 1-12 we have summaries at 6:7; 9:31 and 12:24. In chapters 13-28 there are summaries at 16:5; 19:20 and 28:31. Then, too, it can be seen that the entire Book is built up on the ideas suggested by the geographical ex tension’ of the Church mentioned in 1:8. Nor is it possible to avoid noticing that the first, section of Acts includes five parts dealing with Peter, ending with his imprisonment, while the second section has also five parts dealing with Paul and ending with his imprisonment. The Epistle to the Ephesians is also helpfully studied along the lines of its two divisions, chapters 1-3 being concerned with doctrine, and chapters 4-6 with duty. Then Galatians is similarly capable of
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AfterWards we have the period from Joshua -to Samuel dealing with the important per iod of the? Judges. The time of the first three kings, Saul, David and Solomon, offers another natural section for study. Then the time of the divided kingdoms would come next and attention cart be given to either Israel or Judah separately or the two simultaneously. The periods of the captivity and the post captivity complete the Old Testament. Sim ilar divisions, can be made in studying the record in the New Testament SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT One of the most essential, vital and fruit ful methods of becoming acquainted with the Bible is by the study of its connections and spiritual developments. The unity of the Bible is a very important topic. Thd Old Testament finds its unity in the three great offices of Prophet, Priest and King. The need of a Priest can be seen very specially in the period covered by the Books of the Pentateuch, though, of course, it is not exclusively associated with these. The call for a King is gradually heard as the historical Books are studied from Joshua' onwards, while the importance of the Prophet is »particularly visible in the prophetical Books. And so, from Genesis to Malachi the people show in one way or another the necessity of these three great features in regard to spiritual need. When we turn to the New Testament, we find something very like the answer to these desires in the Person and Work of our Lord. In the Gospels He is recorded in His human life as “Jesus.” In the Acts He is seen in His Divine power and author ity as “Christ,” and in the Epistles He is especially revealed in connection with the Church as “Lord.” Thus, in “Jesus Chfist our Lord” we have the satisfaction sought by Israel when they desired a Prophet, a Priest and a King. Jesus, the Prophet; Christ, the Priest; and the Lord, the King; the Prophet to reveal, the Priest to redeem, and the King to rule. Side by side with this manifest and beau tiful unity is the complementary truth of
careful consideration along three lines, each taking two chapters: chapters 1 and 2, personal;, chapters -3 and 4, doctrinal; chapters 5 and 6, practical. A FRUITFUL METHOD These are only the barest hints of what can.be done by this method of book study, and it should be said again that this is the most obvious and, in many respects, the most fruitful way of becoming acquainted with the contents and meaning of the Bible. Instead of the study of books, or rather side by side with it, it is possible to give special attention to sections of books, and, thereby, to become thoroughly acquainted with particular portions. Thus, we could study the great section of Isaiah, chapters 40-66, by noticing its three divisions of nine chapters each, for it will be found that at the close of chapters 48, 57 and 66 the same thought is recorded, though the sec ond and the third times in an intensified form. It is thought by some that even these nine chapters can be further sub divided into three times three. It is also worth observing that the former portion of Isaiah, chapters. 1-35, are simply and naturally divisible into three parts: chapters 1-12; chapters 13-27; chapters 28-35. As an instance of the study of sections in the New Testament, reference may be made to the Epistle to the Romans and attention concentrated on the three pivots found at the beginnings of chapters 5, 8 and 12 by means, of the word “therefore,” dealing respectively with the “therefore” of Justification, the “therefore” of Sanctifi cation, and the “therefore” of Consecra tion. Yet again, it is possible to pay special attention to the historical periods found in the Bible, inasmuch as the revelation of God is marked in this way in its develop ment. Thus, we can look at the Pre-Abra- hamic period covering the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Following this is the Patriarchal., period including the remainder of that Book. Then comes the Mosaic period extending over the life of Mdses from Exodus to the end of Deuteronomy.
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the Progressiveness of the Divine revela tion. Starting with the early dawn in Gen esis, there is a gradual development of light and truth until we reach the noon day in Christ. ~ OUTSTANDING TRUTHS Once again we may look at the great outstanding truths of Scripture, as they are brought before us in the various parts. ‘Thus, if we pay attention to Israel, we nat urally find ourselves concerned with histor ical truth. If we Study the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament, we are ^concerned with redemptive truth. If we ponder the various utterances and Books of the Prophets, we are face to face with ''prophetic truth.. If we give attention to the life and conduct of the people and notice the various aspects of morality enjoined and ordered, we become occupied with practical truth. So also in connec tion with the New Testament the various aspects are equally clear. In all this, whether with the Old Testament or the New, we may study with great advantage and profit, what may be called dispensa tio n ! truth, expressive of the various ways and times in which God has revealed His will to man ’from the earliest days in Gen esis to the closing scenes in the Revelation. 2 . The Microscopic Method. This means attention to the details of Scripture instead of large sections or long periods, (a) Passages will naturally claim first atten tion, and as one out of many illustrations of the value of carefill study of small sec tions, attention may be given to Psalm 63 with its 'fourfold emphasis on “my soul” in verses 1, 5, 8 and 9, expressive of four different aspects or stages of the believer’s life, (b) From passages it is.possible to descend to verses and very often a verse will yield a remarkable fulness of teaching when thoroughly considered. Thus in Acts 26:18 we see the whole Christian life starting with forgiveness and extending through sanctification to the glory that is to follow, (c) Biographies are often most profitable, not merely those which are recorded at great length, but also those of
which very little is said. In the latter cases careful arrangement and comparison of passages will often -yield illumination. For example, it is not always noticed that the various texts connected with ' Mary, the mother of our Lord, show five connected stages in her spiritual growth. The Apos tle Barnabas can also be studied along*five lines. The characters of men like Nico- demus with a very scanty record can, nev ertheless, be clearly seen in' relation to Christ when the passages are put together, (d) The study of Bible phrase is also most fruitful, as illustrating this microscopic method. As one instance, the title “God of Peace” is often found in various connec tions and shows something of the fulness of the Divine character. In the foiirth Gospel the words “In Myv Name” or “In His Name” will be found full of meaning. These are only bare illustrations of a wealth of teaching, (e) Then the words of Scripture are fraught with remarkable power. No one could study the various passages where' “grace” or “love” occur without obtaining remarkable insight into the truth of God. Then, too, a careful consideration of “justification” will reveal the sevenfold aspect of Scripture on this subject. Those who happen to know their Greek Testament will find word-studies of immense value, e.g., the word “boast” occurs in seven different connections and Shows the profound distinction between the boasting which is wrong and impossible and the boasting which is right and justifiable. One thing more .should be said in con nection with these methods of study, namely, that we shall find it worth while to use our peri in' making notes, for this will at once clear our thought and help us to record the results of our work. Let it be said again that nothing less than thor ough mastery will suffice, if we are to know our Bible. It has often been said that while justification is by faith, a knowledge of our Bible can only come by works. II. The Bible should be studied as unlike any o th er book. Hitherto -we have been concerned with
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including Consideration, Meditation and Application. (c) But it is perhaps necessary and important to look still more'closely at this subject of personal Bible study and medita tion along Scriptural lines. (1) We must search the Scriptures (John 5:39). The truth of the Bible is not always or neces sarily found on the surface, and we must, therefore, get below and “search” to the utmost of our power. (2) Then will come meditation (Psalm 1:2). The Scrips ture, haying been searched, will necessar ily be" applied to our own life, and medi tation has been well defined as “attention with intention,” emphasizing the reality and practical power of the thought we derive from the Bible. (3) Then will fol low the need of comparison (1 Cor. 2:13). Scripture will be compared with Scripture and we shall be enabled to see from time to time the variety, balance, fulness and completeness of the spiritual teaching. (d) Descending still further into prac tical details of this essential method of Bible study, the following points, call for special attention. (1) It must be daity, whether in the morning or in the evening, or at night. The Bible must be to-the soul what food is to the body. “I have esteemed Thy words more than my neces sary food.” (2) It must be diligent. There must be no mere dreaming, musing over Scripture, but a thorough consideration and search in order to obtain “light and leading.” (3) It must be direct. No sec ond-hand messages will do, and however much we may value and rightly value the teaching of others, we must first and fore most have our messages direct from God Himself and continually ask what Scrip ture says to us apart from others. (4) It must be definite. The purpose of this method of study is severely practical and is intended to affect and transform our life. Whether, therefore, we are faced with a counsel or a promise or a warning or an encouragement or an example, we must seek to make it our own and see that it has its right influence upon our life.
methods of study which for the most part are common to all books, hut it is important to remember that, as the Bible is in some respects unlike other books, it has to be studied accordingly. We cannot treat the Bible merely as any other book, because with its similarities, it is and claims to be, different. It claims to be inspired and, therefore, the true way is to treat it as such. This will at once show its unique ness. Other books for the most part are content to provide knowledge, but the Bible goes beyond knowledge and calls for obedi ence." We are thus reminded that infor mation alone is not sufficient; we must go forward to meditation. How, then, are we to, study the Bible along this 'special line? . (a) Each one must ask himself the question: “What does the Bible say to me?” This is the special point of Psalm 119:11. “Thy Word have I hid within my . heart that I might not sin against Thee.” One constant and real danger in the life of the believer is that of reading the Bible for others. Preachers are constantly think ing of their sermons, and teachers of their classes, and in so fl°'nS they fail in the primary requirement, the application of the Bible to our o*n soul. It is imperative that we should constantly keep in mind this thought of the personal message of the Bible to the soul and say, “What saith my Lord unto His servant?” “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS (b) In order that this may be so, the Bible requires three things from every true reader and student: attention, intention and retention. The mind must first give thought to what the Bible contains by means of the closest possible attention. Then the will must put into practice what the mind has learned, in order that there may be practical results. And, meanwhile, the memory must keep in mind what is being taught, so that the Bible may be the stand ard of living day by day. Thus, we may sum up the requirements once more as
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no less than 'ten occasions on which He went aside for communion with His Father. The same is true of the Apostles in their life, for in proportion as they went alone with God they came forth with renewed vigor and power. The reason why our lives are so superficial is that we are not enough alone with God. Tennyson says that “Solitude is the mother-country of the strong” and we shall never be “strong in the Lord,” if we do not take time, and even make time, to go apart with Him in meditation upon His word. The little boy unconsciously explained the secret of his father’s power, when he told someone that “Daddy always talks with God in the drawing-room before breakfast.” This is what the Psalmist meant when he said, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31). Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, Be Thou forever near ; Teach me to love Thy sacred Word, And view my Saviour here.
(5), Then, when our Bible meditation is thus daily, diligent, direct and definite, it will also be delightful. Like the Psalmist we’ shall say, “How sweet are Thy words to my taste.” “I rejoice at Thy word as one that findeth great spoil.” “Thy words were found and I did eat them; they were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jen 15:16). DELIGHTS OF MEDITATION It is impossible to exaggerate the import ance > of this aspect of Bible study. Not only is it the secret of spiritual power in personal character, but it is the source of all blessing and influence oyer others. In deed, we may go a s . far as to say that the springs of all revival, individual and collective, are to be found in the silent places of life. It is1 not without point that the Day of Pentecost came after ten days of waiting on God. Our Lord had His times of quiet for meditation and prayer, and it is striking that in the busy life recorded in Mark’s Gospel, there are
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L I GH T ON PUZZLING PASSAGES and PROBLEMS By R. A. TORREY =
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Qlllllllllll[||||||||||||||||||||||||[|[||||||||||||l!llllllll!lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllffl^ Why is it that God does, not answer the prayer of true followers of Christ, who,- according to their light and opportunities, are living earnest and active Christian lives? Sometimes for one reason, sometimes for another. Oftentimes it is because they think that the fact that they “according to their light and opportunities, are living earnest and active Christian lives,” estab lishes a claim upon God and puts God under obligation to answer - their prayers. In other words, they are approaching God in their own name on the ground of some
claim that they imagine they have upon God. But God has taught us plainly in His word that if we are to approach Him in prevailing prayer we are not to approach Him in our own name, i.e., on the ground of any claim we fancy we have upon God, but in the name of Jesus (John 14:13, 14), i.e., on the ground of the claims that the Lord Jesus has upon God, upon the ground of His atoning death and His acceptance before God. Many Christians fall into the snare of thinking that because they are faithful servants of God that fact consti tutes a claim upon God. None of us have
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any ^claims upon God. The most faithful Christian on earth was once a sinner and all he deserved from God was His wrath. God in infinite mercy has redeemed us by the atoning death of His Son, but still we have no claim upon God; all we get is of grace, free, unmerited favor. If one is to receive answer to his prayer he must renounce any thought that he has any claim upon God, no matter how faithful his service may be, and humbly approach God on the ground of Christ’s acceptance in His sight and on the ground of Christ’s atoning work (Heb. 10:19, 20). Jesus Christ has given us the right, if we are united to Him by living faith and obedient love (John 14:12, IS), to pray in His name, and the prayer that is truly in His name will be answered (see Daily Devo tional studies in the New Testament for July 25). Another reason why the prayers, even of true followers of Christ, are not answered, is because they are not accord ing tp the will of God. “If we ask any thing according to His will, He i heareth us” (1 John 5 :14): and if we know that He hear us, we know we have the petitions we asked of Him (1 John 5:15). So when we pray we should first seek to know whether the thing we ask is according to the will of God. We may know the will of God by the explicit revelation of His will in the promises of His Word, or by the teaching of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26, 27). Many who are doubtless true follow ers of Christ are very careless about what they ask for. They do not seek to clearly learn'the will of God before praying, and
of course the prayers of this character that they offer up may or may not be answered. We have no right to think that they will be answered. Again, the prayers of true followers of Christ sometimes are not answered because the prayer is not the prayer of faith (Jas. 1:5-7). We have no right to expect that any prayer of ours will be answered unless it is offered in faith (Mark 11:24). Some times in our carelessness in prayer we ask for things that we have no right to have faith about, for they are not according to the will of God. But sometimes we ask for things which it would be His will to give if we only had faith, but we have not faith, and therefore do not get what we ask. The way tp get faith is by the study of His Word (Rom. 10:17). Faith must have a warrant. We cannot believe that God will grant us a certain thing unless we have some warrant for believing it, and indeed we ought not to believe it unless we have some warrant. The sure warrant is the Word of God. When anything is definitely promised in the Word of God we may know that God will give it if we ask for it, if we meet the conditions of prevail ing prayer. Bible study, study of the prom ises of God, must go hand in hand with prevailing prayer. The Lord Jesus said/ “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye wijl, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7), but many in pleading this promise overlook the words, “my words abide in you." One must study the Word, and believe the Word, and obey the Word, if they are to get the things they ask of God.
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