Lindsay A. Semmens, one of my beloved college professors, developed a rather unusual descriptive sentence when talking about religious philosophies of men. He would hold one hand high in the air and then abruptly drop it nearly to the floor exclaiming, "Why dive through fifty feet of sewage to get one scintilla of truth?" This question has stuck with me during my one score years of preaching the gospel.
Where do you stand today in your attitude toward the Word of God? When I refer to the Word of God I refer directly, unequivocally, to the Bible. The gobbledygook of mystic unintelligible theological terms that in any way undermines the Sacred Scriptures has absolutely no place in the Advent Movement. The surety and certainty of the testimony found in the Scriptures themselves is never to be mitigated or diluted with words like maybe, perhaps, or possibly. Our power as a movement and as individuals depends upon our utter faith and dependence on a "Thus saith the Lord." Some pseudo-intellectualists fog the issue, confuse the minds of listeners by circumventing the Scriptures, only to fall miserably into the slime pits of doubt and faithlessness.
Imagination is not hard to come by. To dream up far-fetched ideas as to what God meant in certain passages or how the prophets felt during certain experiences is either a strong sign of unusual self-esteem or a greedy desire for audience applause. Speculation and fallacious reasoning is no sign of brilliance or intelligence. Striving for unique concepts can lead one into an abnormal state of thinking. Vast amounts of knowledge crammed into the mind make no man an authority over and above the Bible. In no sense do I downgrade thorough study and sound scholarship in an attempt to discern the will of God, but man's religious supreme court is the Scriptures, not experience or personal knowledge. The use of quotations from uninspired religious thinkers to bolster a belief is weak and insipid at best. The other day I listened to a famous religious leader, whose coast-to-coast radio program is heard by millions, speak on the subject of immortality. His quotations from B.C. philosophers and A.D. theologians, plus a smattering of self-generated emotion, produced a nauseating, vapid smoke screen of error. Not once did he quote from the Scriptures. His appeal was solely based on the production of man's fallible mind. What a contrast this is to the true minister of God who fearlessly asserts, "Thus saith the Lord . . ."
With prophetic eye Paul got a glimpse of our day when he said, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (2 Cor. 10:4). Foolish speculations, self-centered philosophies, and godless psychology surely form a part of the arsenal of carnal weapons. Satan's twentieth century offensive against the church has witnessed more souls led into the prison house of sin than in any other period of earth's history. The Christian casualty list is extremely high because Satan's methods are so subtle, refined, and appealing to the natural mind of man. There is only one sure, safe path. There is only one set of effective weapons against sin. "The weapons we wield are not merely human, but divinely potent to demolish strongholds; we demolish sophistries and all that rears its proud head against the knowledge of God; we compel every human thought to surrender in obedience to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4, 5, N.E.B.).*
If you are ever tempted to think that the simple, convicting truth of the Bible needs to be dressed in the intriguing clothes of modern religious philosophy, may I suggest that you spend several years of time bringing the gospel to the souls of those living in the jungles of Borneo or of West New Guinea. Nothing can bring a man so quickly to his knees and set him down solidly at the table of pure unadulterated faith as he seeks to know the plain will of God through His Written Word. Belief in miracles and in God's direct leading is ever so strong under these circumstances.
God in prodigal love for this movement has literally deluged us with the greatest amount of special revelation any group of truth seekers has ever known. The Eternal Word amplified so magnificently by the Spirit of Prophecy is a source of vitamin-packed food for the soul. Studied and followed earnestly, it will keep one on the track of truth.
"The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true, that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested."—The Great Controversy, p. 593.
The special feature in this issue deals with the wonderful soul-winning success attending the study and marking of the Bible in our churches and evangelistic meetings. Although this evangelistic aid is becoming widely known, the editors feel that both home and abroad we have many pastor-evangelists who have not yet tried this simple but unique plan and may be inspired to do so after reading the articles on this subject in this issue. Many of the advantages of the Bible Marking Plan are set forth. The techniques and ideas of one man may seem to conflict with that of another. But the idea is that each will try the plan that appeals to him Towering over and above all is the supreme advantage of connecting the mind with the plain, straightforward testimony of God's unchangeable Word.
May this program continue to focus the attention of ministers and laymen alike to what the Lord says rather than what men say.