Introduction
By Clifton L. Fowler
Taken from Grace and Truth Magazine 1923
Men are looking for the keys which will unlock the problems and mysteries of the Bible. There is a conviction, often unexpressed, buried deep in the heart of the average man, that the Bible is true, and that its seeming tangles would all be unraveled if one could but get the right start.
The question is, is a right start a possibility?
Since our modern education is frankly giving to men the wrong start in these days, the prevalence of skepticism and infidelity is not to be wondered at. Modern educational
theories instead of assuming the inspiration and authority of the Bible, assume it to be
legendary and false. Starting from such a premise is
a confession of defeat before the battle begins.
Such a start is both wrong and unfair.
A right start in Bible study can
only be made upon the assumption of the
uniqueness and unqualified authority of the
Scripture. These the Bible claims. We have no right
to accept the infidel presuppositions of modern
thinking, unproved and undemonstrated. We do not
begin our dealings with a fellow-man assuming
that he is a rogue, nor should we begin our
dealings with the Bible with the assumption that
it is legendary, mythical and generally
unreliable. This grotesque and unscholarly method we will
leave to those preachers and teachers who find
joy in classifying themselves with Thomas Payne,
Voltaire, Ingersoll, and Darwin.
Since the Scriptures claim both
uniqueness and authority, we accept
them. To take this position requires far less
credulity than to accept the gratuitous
vagaries of the modernist.
The moment we recognize the
uniqueness and authority of the Bible, we have
by that fact predetermined our method of study.
Since it is unique and authoritative, it
becomes our sole book of reference. To be unique is to
stand alone. To be unique and at the same time,
authoritative is to have an authority which
brooks no competition. Since the Bible stands in a
class by itself it is folly to seek for explanation
of its problems in lesser books. Since the Bible
speaks with an authority found nowhere else, to
bring lesser authorities to bear upon it is a
travesty upon both faith and reason. The
explanation of the Bible
is within the Bible. The keys to Biblical exposition are within the pages of the Book itself.
The Bible is self-interpreting.
A Biblical interpretation which is only the opinion of man, be that man ever so respected or brilliant, completely lacks authority. It fails to
convince. But when a Biblical question is elucidated by resorting to the plain statements of the Word of God, line upon line, and precept upon precept, then the soul of man responds with joy and confidence, for the Bible speaks with authority concerning itself. When we follow the behest of the modernist and swap a satisfying faith in the absolute
authority of the Bible for an "educated conscience" or the
"testimony of the religious consciousness," we
have traded our heaven-given birthright for a
mess of hell's pottage.
The self-interpreting
characteristic of the Scripture is a necessity. The
uniqueness and special authority of the Bible combine to
exclude any pretended authority which might arise.
If there are other books of equal authority, the
Scripture is no longer unique. It would take a book of
equal authority to produce a worthy exposition of
any passage in the book of unique authority. Since
no such book exists, the only place to go for
the exposition of any given portion of Scripture, is
to the balance of Scripture. Thus we go to the
unique authority to receive further light on the one
unique authority. The Bible is permitted to speak
for itself. This is most satisfying. It is logical.
Indeed, it is quite inescapable.
That the method of Bible study
here suggested is the Holy Spirit's own method
is demonstrated by 1 Cor. 2:12-13:
"Now we have received not the
spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God.
Which things also we speak, not
in the words which man's wisdom teacheth but (in
the words) which the Holy Spirit teacheth; COMPARING
SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL."
The last five words give a most
remarkable insight into this method of studying
God's Word, — "comparing spiritual things with
spiritual."
What do these words mean?
There is only one great
storehouse of "spiritual" things which is thrown open
to man. That
storehouse is God's Word.
"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual" things is
comparing Scripture with Scripture.
This plainly revealed method of
study is attached to a promise. The
sentence is long, so to clarify we will strip the
statement of its dependent clauses. The paraphrased
statement would read thus:
"That we might know the things
that are freely given to us of God
................................... we speak ........................... comparing spiritual things with
spiritual."
There it stands in its clarity.
In order to know the things freely given to us by
God all we have to do is compare Scripture with
Scripture. Here is God's own method. The Word
has revealed it. The Scripture is to explain the
Scripture. The Bible is self-interpreting.
Since the Word of God is. by its
own clear-cut statement, self-interpreting, we
shall seek in the succeeding studies to discover
the laws or principles which govern this
interpretation. These laws will be found imbedded in the
sacred text, and once understood and used, will
be in the hands of the consecrated and prayerful
student a veritable "Bunch of Keys" unlocking the
treasure-trove of Scripture knowledge, and placing
within more or less easy reach the answers to
the most perplexing questions of the soul. Copyright 1923, Clifton L. Fowler
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