|
 My
attention has been called to an article in Firm Foundation
(g-12-78) entitled, "Thus Concludeth The Brotherhood."
The writer wisely says, "We can bind nothing upon anyone.
God can bind everything he and his inspired representatives said
and did upon whomever he wishes... Unity must begin where
inspiration begins and end where inspiration ends."
"'Thus concludeth the whole preacherhood' is not now, nor
will it ever be, in the same league with 'Thus saith the
Lord.'" These are noble thoughts and worthy of all
acceptation.
But
the chief thrust of the article is thus expressed: "The
axiom is simple: Christian doctrines which take a human mind to
produce are not 'solely' the result of inspiration." Or, as
put elsewhere, "There are at least three categories of
religious truth. There is God's word, which is absolute
truth; there are opinions about God's word, some of which
will prove to be true; and there are convictions drawn
from God's word, again only some of which will prove to be true.
Now upon which of these can we unite? Obviously, only on the
first. There is only one absolute in Christianity and that is
the truth as delivered by the Spirit, unmarred by human
thinking. This is limited all things recorded from Genesis
to Revelation."
I
asked Guthrie Dean to read and comment on the F.F. article, and
got the following (which must be right, for I had thought
the same thing): "l. Bible statements are pure truth. 2.
These truths must pass through human minds to become operative
in the Christian's life. 3. But in passing through the human
mind this message becomes a 'concluded conviction'.
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4. Concluded convictions cannot be made a
test of fellowship. THEREFORE, no Bible truth can be made a test
of fellowship." The axiom is too simple!
The
F.F. writer seems sincerely to seek a solution to division, and
we applaud his distinction between God's word and
"brotherhood conclusions." But this only means we must
continue to seek truth at its source, looking to God's word
rather than to "the way we do it" or "teach
it." To rule out human thinking is to cut man off from
God's message altogether — unless the writer is headed for the
"spiritual discernment" routine. The Bible can be read
and understood (Eph. 3:4; 5:17) by human minds. The message God
gave is suited to the man God made. When false conclusions are
drawn, and they will be, it is evidence of faulty study:
prejudiced, incomplete, or fallacious. It emphasizes the need
for continued study, with attention focused upon the Bible
rather than upon our previous conclusions.
The
writer repeatedly reminds us that "we have, from time to
time, altered some of our 'absolute' convictions." If so,
we did it by thinking; and if we revised our conclusions due to
reliance upon God's word that is exactly as it should be. Our
"endeavoring" or "giving diligence" to keep
the unity of the spirit (Eph. 4:3) is expressed by the same
Greek word as "study" to present thyself approved unto
God (2 Tim. 2:15). The end is contingent upon human effort;
attainable through Christ to the faithful. (continued next page)
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