The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-05-26
To DR.. Howard.
Communicated


Communicated
You say: The bible is historic, alleg-
oric, and prophetic and savors more or
less of the traditions and superstitions OF
the times in which some of its authors
lived and consequently is not wholly with
out error" Vide last weeks PIONEER.
1t is quite true that the bible is historic.
allegoric, and prophetic, but it is untrue
that it savors more or less of the tradi-
ions and superstition of the times. etc.
Now sir, kindly tell US what portions OF
the bible v more or less of the tradi-
tons and superstitions of the times. etc?
Jesus knew whereof he spoke when he
answered the tempter and said to him: 1T
is written man shall not live by bread
alone. but by every word that p%roceedeth
out of the mouth of Cod" Matt. 4; 4.
Notice that Christ says. 1T is written"
but he doesn't say. 1T IS TRADITION though
the Rev. Prof. Ryle Hulscan, professor
of Divinity at Cambridge England. would
like to have tradition to be of as great
authority as that which is written, or
even to make it greater than the other.
You overlooked his partisan spirit: and I
know that you will admit that there are
too many trying to dictate to the bible in
stead ofletting the bible dictate to them.
Christ didn't say, that It was TRADITION.
Probably, the tempter took tradition for
his great authority or else he garbled was
written" but Christ took as his authority
THE LAW (also called Moses), THE PRoPH-
Rrs, AND PsALMs-the Old Testament
of to-day, which were written with ex-
ceedingly scrupulous care under the
guidance of inspired men,
Again in verse 7, Jesus said unto him.
1T is written again, Thou shalt not tempt
the Lord thy God" You see that Christ
made a distinction between what was
written and what was handed down by
word of mouth OF whatever you may call
it whether it was tradition or superstition.
Read the words, 1T is written again"
Written AGAIN. Isn't Christ stamping
the Old Testment writings with His
authority. How do you like this dilemma?
You say, ITO bow to the shrine of any
book is not wise" etc. Do you include
the bible in this statement n do you ex-
clude it from it? If you include it in
your statement as given, aren't you in
danger of setting your self above Christ.
Consider your position we'll, which I con
slider perilous. l ask you kindly to study
we'll the statement you have made. Look
at our Savior how he bowed at the shrine
of the Old Testament writings (the Scrip
lures which the noble Bereans searched
in order to find out whether the things
told them were or not true)! Look!
How He testified to these writings when
He said, 1T is written" and 1T is written
again"
Apart from the Divine origin of the
Bible, what is the fault against it: Does
it not teach the highest standard of NOR
atty? Does it not teach the difference
between right and wrong? Does it not
teach how we should behave toward one
another?
Why is the, Bible so much kicked at?
Is it because it is too much of a looking
slass2 We know that we do not like our
faults to be mirrored and knowing this,
we often keep away from the Bible which
should be our looking-glass. We are
told to search the Scriptures (meaning
wR1T1NGs.) but fear that there are too
many of US running after tradition. and
other writings of the present day. Let
us study the pros and cons, prove all
things and hold fast that which is good.
I know this is your earnest endeavor.
Moses says, The earth brought forth
grass, the herb yielding seed and the
fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind
whose seed is in ITSELF"
Did God create grass first or did he
seed first? Did he create the herb
first, or did he create seed first, and did
he then sow it? Did he create the fruit
tree first? Did he cause it to yield fruit
next? In this fruit was the seed.
"Omnis vivus ex ovum-Every living
thing m from ar egg" Are there
to this? Moses says, And
the Lord God formed man of the dust of
the ground and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a
SOUL" The egg theory may be
correct to-day, but this passage does not
support the egg theory as to the creation
of Adam. I am willing to be taught.
"A LEARNER.