Editorial Postscripts

Unify!—An adequate conception of the character of our message and mission in the world will lead to the unifying of every public presentation, so as to make it contribute def­initely toward our one supreme objective. Un­related sermonic utterances lose much of their potential force when not marshaled to con­tribute toward the one all-encompassing pur­pose of preparing a people to meet their God. There should be an obvious unity and an un­deniable correlation in all public presentations commensurate with our task and keyed to our commission.

Reformation! —The specifications of Heav­en's last message to men call for a reformation movement utterly transcending the great Ref­ormation of the sixteenth century in extent, prominence, finality, and effectiveness. It is to be heralded with such force as to make not only the Papacy but apostate Protestantism tremble. Its very aggression will ultimately result in the attempt to completely crush the disturbers. It is to be given with such clarity and heaven-impelled force as to condemn a truth-rejecting world. We need an enlarged vision of our high commission, a penetrating conception of its specifications, an unswerving fidelity to its inspired terms. Such a coordina­tion of purpose and activity will constitute an irresistible force for its consummation.

History!—One can either deceive or be de­ceived through an omission of salient facts as verily as by distortion, manipulation, or denial of known and acknowledged facts,—as for ex­ample in the field of history. It is only as the facts, all the facts, and only the facts, are known that a true concept is either obtained or given. It is a fundamentally wrong pro­cedure to take a position, and then simply seek supporting evidence, ignoring or sup­pressing modifying or contrary testimony. No fair and accurate picture can be obtained by such a process. Moreover, the way is opened for successful attack by critic or opponent. But chiefest of all, truth is dishonored by such a course, and the character of the participant is warped by the process. Looseness here leads logically to carelessness in the entire field where evidence is involved. The integrity of truth is to be held as a sacred and inviolable trust.

Forward!—We dare not count upon better times in which to finish our work, nor wait for a return to prosperity to provide funds for completing our task. This threefold message will be brought to triumph amid the most baffling conditions in the economic, social, and political worlds.

Investigate!—He who would speak or write on themes involving historical theology should either know the facts involved, through per­sonal investigation, so as to state them with fidelity and fairness, or he should be silent. It is wrong to repeat mere hearsay evidence regarding the religious beliefs of other bodies or periods. Moreover, such statements usually grow more distorted under repetition. Fair­ness to other religious groups, and accuracy as to beliefs held,—and which we desire for ourselves,—should be regarded as mandatory upon every herald of present truth. Other­wise his position is an anomaly, and his dec­larations of truth are a pretense.

Scholarship!—The penalty for scholarship is often very real, and sometimes sad and try­ing. Only to scholars are discernible the in­accuracies and the characteristic looseness of the superficial but popular writer or speaker who carries the crowd by oracular assertions and plausible declarations, frequently supported by a pleasing, persuasive personality. When, because of scholarly discernment, he is com­pelled to challenge hasty and unsound conclu­sions in the historical, factual, or theological realms, or to deny the accuracy of the data so plausibly presented, or even if he fails to give echo to the popular acclaim, he is fre­quently classified as a carping critic or a chronic egotist. But we need scholars in this movement. We need the safeguarding check they place upon superficiality, the enlargement of understanding they bring to the problems that confront, and the sheer knowledge of fact and principle they discover. We need safe and sane leadership in these times of scrutiny and challenge—this appointed time for the triumph of truth. Let us appreciate and encourage sound, loyal, thoroughgoing scholarship.

Honesty!—The natural reluctance of the human heart to admit a mistake, however hon­est it may have been, makes it hard openly and honorably to acknowledge former limita­tions of Biblical knowledge, faulty conceptions of prophetic truth, or even definite misconcep­tions. It is failure here that gives the enemies of truth an effective talking point. Evasion is ever and always wrong. Contrariwise, it is a mark of integrity of character and of genuine Christianity to confess limitations or a mis­take, whether made by an individual or a group. Nothing is gained and everything is lost by silence or evasion, or an unsatisfying and futile explanation. It is not honest mis­takes that should make one ashamed, but an attempt to deny or conceal them. Let us practice this basic truth. 

L. E. F