Editorial Postscripts

From the Ministry back page.

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry.

Superficial! —It is distressing to see some brother spend a few hurried hours canvassing partial data on some moot historical or theo­logical point that has taxed the resources of experts who have devoted years to its study, and then release some sort of ex cathedra utter­ance on the subject. Modesty would indicate that positive declaration in technical matters of this kind be reserved for the qualified, and scholarship demands adequate study before even such express themselves. The tone of infallibility characterizing the utterances of some would be amusing if it were not so tragic.

Whisperers!—God will not hold him guilt­less who engages in whispering campaigns against some brother minister whose convic­tions on some unessential detail of prophetic interpretation may differ from his own, but whose whole life of loving labor has been de­voted to upbuilding the cause they both love. Suspicion, and a distorted understanding in the minds of others, can easily be created by such a course. Indeed, there is no subtler way of damaging a fellow worker than to whisper, "He is not safe, loyal, orthodox. Look out!" But he who engages in such a work of poison­ing minds is doing the work of the devil, and will be held accountable by a just and all-see­ing God. He who thus agitates will have to answer for his words before God and man.

Love!—God looks at sinning, suffering, sor­rowing humanity through eyes of infinite love. Fully cognizant of the polluting, debasing char­acter of sin, and reading the very thoughts and intents of the natural heart, He still loves on. And as He loves, so are we to love in ministry to men of every continent and race and tongue. Tenderness, sympathy, and understanding,—these are attributes characteristic of the suc­cessful minister's work. Christ our Pattern tabernacled with men in the full sense of the term. There was no aloofness, no superiority, no detachment in His attitude. He was ap­proachable and full of understanding. We erect well-nigh insuperable barriers if we view the subjects of our labors through eyes of con­descension or condemnation. Disdain, distrust, and disgust are attitudes that should be totally foreign to us as followers of Christ. We, too, must look at perishing men through eyes of love as we extend the succoring hand.

Relaxation! —The best of watch springs need to be allowed to run down periodically, lest they snap from constant tension. In like manner the relentless pressure of this tense age necessitates periods of relaxation from the in­cessant strain, to a degree unnecessary in former years. Censure is unbecoming, there­fore, as regards deserved vacations; nor is it seemly to criticize one for his mode of relaxa­tion. Some crave exercise, others desire rest. Some find delight in a garden, others on the tennis court or green. Some love camping or hiking, others boating and swimming. Some wish to travel and visit with friends; others prefer their books, shady nooks, and solitude. The ideal vacation provides sharp contrast to the routine, the scenes and contacts of the daily grind; and so long as one comports him­self as a Christian gentleman, it is no one else's affair how these periods of rest are taken. They are to be individually determined, and should be enjoyed without the ambushed gun­fire of criticism.

Danger!—Those who are highly trained and informed are in danger of making shipwreck over these very attainments. Their tendency is to look with pitying tolerance upon their humbler associates, and to develop a hyper­critical attitude toward all that others write or say. They make scholarship their god, and worship at her shrine—forgetting that God looks primarily upon the motivating spirit, and regards the intent of the heart. Though God desires truth and accuracy, and adequacy of treatment on the part of His ministers, He cannot use a carping, critical perfection to His glory. That is a narrowness and bigotry, and an offense against true scholarship as verily as is looseness of statement. This very fact ex­plains why some scholars never accomplish much, and why some humbler workers do ex­ploits for God.

Truth!—Intelligent faith must of necessity be built upon the sure foundation of truth—revealed truth, and factual truth. Divinely re­vealed truth comes directly from the God of truth through inspired revelation, while the factual truths of earth are discoverable through human study and research as guided by the Spirit of truth. And there is an inviolable harmony between the two. Revealed truth is embodied in the Word, living and written, and amplified in the Spirit of prophecy. It em­braces inspired precept, principle, and the in­fallible record of fact. The factual truths of earth are tabulated in the historical records that witness to the mandates of revealed truth. God predicts and man fulfills. The Infinite foresees and the finite witnesses to the accomplishment. So, when all the facts are in hand, the one will prove to be the consistent counter­part of the other. We are therefore to seek for accuracy in observation and discernment in interpretation.                                              

L. E. F.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry.

September 1934

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Persevering, Prevailing Prayer

Prevailing prayer must often be learned in the school of discipline and suffering.

Lift the Trailing Standards

Liberalism is not affecting our church doctrin­ally so much as it is morally and spiritually.

Shall We Encourage Youth to Prepare for the Ministry?

Should I plan on complet­ing the ministerial course and running the chance of getting a place, when workers have been dropped because of budget limitations?

Neglect Not the Foundations

Perhaps nothing is doing more to destroy the saving influence of the home than the lack of Christian instruction on the part of the parents, and we need to recognize and help to correct this.

Sin, Salvation, and the Sabbath No. 2

Homiletic helps on prophecy.

The Temporary Wooden Tabernacle

The temporary wooden tabernacle has proved a very successful auditorium in which to hold evangelistic meetings.

"Sabbath" in Colossians 2:16

To help us in understanding the term "sab­bath" in Colossians 2:16, we should bear in mind that this word is used in the Scriptures in five different senses.

Editorial Keynotes

The New Testament Canon No. 9

Beginnings of the Evolution Theory No. 2

The tedious discussions about species and their origin have always been relatively mere side issues. The leading idea of the evo­lution theory is that it professes to give us a genuine history of the slow development of life on the globe.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - SermonView - Medium Rect (300x250)

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)