Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-03-26

NJ.
80 1:20, 81, we read:
Knowing tn rs
first, that no prophecy Of the Scrip
ture is of any private Interpretation
Tor origin, for it seems clear that it
is to the source rather than to the
exposition Of the Scripture that refer
ence is here made.l For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will OF
man, but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Here are some very clear and definite
statements concerning the source OF
the Scripture. 1t is this "God-breathed'
element that differentiates this book
from all other writings. The Bible is
quite often referred to nowadays as
splendid literature" Well, the Bible
is that, but it is more than that--it
is Scripture. Literature is the letter;
Scripture is the letter inbreathed by
the holy spirit. Just as in the crea-
ton of man we learn that man be-
came a living soul when that frame,
of dust, as it lay on the ground, be-
came inbreathed by the spirit Of life
from God. Man is dust inbreathed
by deity, and il you take away the
spirit Of life from man he returns to
dust So is it with the Bible; it is
the letter, but it is the letter in
breathed by Gods spirit that makes
thar letter Scripture And when you
rob the Bible of its inspiration you
nave nothing but mere literature left
you have no Scripture.
The Bible the Authority in Matters of
Faith and Practice.
Where is the seat Of authority in
matters Of religion? This is always
the problem of the day. Various re-
plies are given to the question.
Reason, says one. is the seat Of final
authority May not the intellect with
its various functions be relied upon
to render sure Judgments? One has
only to recall the grotesque fancies
that have from time to time taken
hold OF the finest and brainiest men
and led them into the grossest de-
lusions to satisfy himself that the seat
of authority does not lie in the rea-
son. Not that we are to throw rea-
son away in matters Of religion; for
while faith is efttimes above reason,
it is by no means contrary to it. The
voice Of reason, however, is not to be
considered final and authoritative
Can we not depend upon conscience,
that organ as delicate and sensitive
as the balance turned by a speck of
dust, to admonish us Of evil, to praise
us for the good, and settle for US
the right and wrong of matters re
hgious? We have but to recall into
what incalculable mischief the con-
sciences of some men have led them
Saul Of Tarsus, for example-to recog-
nize speedily that we must look else
where for our authority. In all good
conscience men have written deadly
heresies in their books, and under
the sanctions Of a religious conscience
have performed deeds Of violence and
shame
There are people who claim that
the church is the ultimate authority
in matters of faith and practice This
Is the position Of the Roman church.
Called of God, divinely founded, with
perpetual witnesses to the truth, with
bishops and councils surely the
church is sufficient guide. Yet what
enormities have fiourished under the
banner of the church So long as
She is composed of fallible human be-
ings the church can never be final
and authoritative in matters Of faith
and practice.
On every hand we hear the cry,
Back to Christ he and he alone,
is the final and ultimate authority in
all these matters We certainly have
no desire to take any glory away
from the church's Lord and Master
In order to give it to so sacred book
even as the Bible. We are willing
to 90 back to Christ. But where
shall we find him? With the excep-
tion of a reference in Josephus and
line or two in Tacitus where, out
side Of the Bible, shall We find Christ?
SO we see that in order to get back.
to Christ" we are in duty bound to
fan back upon the Scriptures
For our master himself the Scrip
lures were considered sufficient au.
fhority in matters Of faith and prac-
tice. 1t would repay anyone to look
UP all the passages. in which these
words Of the master occur, Is it not
written?' Have We not read?"
What saith the Scriptures z" TT is
written A careful study os such
Scripture references will reveal the
fact that Christ referred to the Scrip
lures as the authority which settled
matters Of faith and practice for him
Should the Bible be less to the church
than It was to ths ehurch's master?
We think not.
To know how tn wait fs ffe great