Part 1 (1/2)
The Great Doctrines of the Bible.
by Rev. William Evans.
FOREWORD.
The demand for this book has come from the students in the cla.s.s room who have listened to these lectures on the Great Doctrines of the Bible, and have desired and requested that they be put into permanent form for the purpose of further study and reference. This volume is prepared, therefore, primarily, but not exclusively, for the student, and with his needs in mind.
The doctrines herein treated are dealt with from the standpoint of Biblical rather than Dogmatic theology. This is evident from the plan which is followed in the work, namely, to gather together all the Scripture pa.s.sages dealing with the subject under consideration, and from them choose a required number that may be called representative; then seek to understand the meaning of these references by the study of the text itself as well as its context and parallel pa.s.sages; and finally, from the selected proof-texts, formulate the doctrinal teaching, and place such results under appropriate headings.
The doctrines of G.o.d, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are more fully dealt with than the doctrines which follow. This is especially true of the doctrine of G.o.d. The reason for this is to set forth the method pursued in these studies, and to give a pattern for the study of the doctrines to follow.
It is intended that the doctrines of this book should be studied side by side with the open Bible. It is for this reason that many of the Scripture references are indicated by chapter and verse only. There must be constant reference to the Scriptures themselves.
This volume is in such form as to be of great service in the instruction given in Bible cla.s.ses. There is probably no greater need in the Christian church today than that its members.h.i.+p should be made acquainted with the fundamental facts and doctrines of the Christian faith. The Christian layman, therefore, who desires a deeper knowledge of the doctrines of the Christian faith may find all the help he needs in this book. It is hoped that while it is prepared for the student, it is nevertheless not too deep for the average layman.
The special indebtedness of the writer is hereby expressed to the following works: ”What the Bible Teaches,” by R. A. Torrey, D. D.
To this work the writer owes much with regard to the method and plan of this book. ”Systematic Theology,” by A. H. Strong, D. D., has provided some rich expositions of the sacred text. ”Christian Doctrine,” by Dr. F. L. Patton, has been found very helpful, especially in connection with the subject of the ”Proofs for the Existence of G.o.d.” Further recognition of indebtedness is also due to the following: ”The Problem of the Old Testament,” and ”The Christian View of G.o.d and the World,” by Dr. James Orr; ”Studies in Christian Doctrine,” by George Knapp; ”Jesus and the Gospel,”
and ”The Death of Christ,” by Prof. James Denny; ”The Person and Work of Jesus,” by Nathan E. Wood, D. D.
There are doubtless others to whom credit is due of whom the author is not at this time conscious, for, after all, we are ”part of all that we have seen, and met, and read.” To those unknown authors, therefore, our indebtedness is hereby acknowledged.
_Chicago._ WILLIAM EVANS.
THE DOCTRINE OF G.o.d
I. HIS EXISTENCE.
1. TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY THE SCRIPTURE WRITERS:
It does not seem to have occurred to any of the writers of either the Old or the New Testaments to attempt to prove or to argue for the existence of G.o.d. Everywhere and at all times it is a fact taken for granted. ”A G.o.d capable of proof would be no G.o.d at all”
(Jacobi). He is the self-existent One (Exod. 3:14) and the Source of all life (John 5:26).
The sublime opening of the Scriptures announces the fact of G.o.d and His existence: ”In the beginning G.o.d” (Gen. 1:1). Nor is the rise or dawn of the idea of G.o.d in the mind of man depicted. Psa. 14:1: ”The fool hath said in his heart. There is no G.o.d,” indicates not a disbelief in the existence, but rather in the active interest of G.o.d in the affairs of men--He seemed to hide Himself from the affairs of men (See Job 22:12-14).
The Scriptures further recognize that men not only know of the existence of G.o.d, but have also a certain circle of ideas as to who and what He is (Rom. 1:18-19).
No one but a ”fool” will deny the fact of G.o.d. ”What! no G.o.d? A watch, and no key for it? A watch with a main-spring broken, and no jeweler to fix it? A watch, and no repair shop? A time-card and a train, and n.o.body to run it? A star lit, and n.o.body to pour oil in to keep the wick burning? A garden, and no gardener? Flowers, and no florist? Conditions, and no conditioner?” He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at such absurd atheism.
2. THE ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF G.o.d.
[Footnote: A fuller and complete presentation of these arguments for the Existence of G.o.d may be found in the works of Dr. Augustus H. Strong and Dr. Francis L. Patten, to whom the author is here indebted.]
These arguments may not prove conclusively that G.o.d is, but they do show that in order to the existence of any knowledge, thought, reason, conscience in man, we must a.s.sume that G.o.d is (Strong).
It is said of the beautiful, ”It may be shown, but not proved.” So we say of the existence of G.o.d. These arguments are probable, not demonstrative. For this reason they supplement each other, and const.i.tute a series of evidences which is c.u.mulative in its nature.
Though taken singly, none of them can be considered absolutely decisive, they together furnish a corroboration of our primitive conviction of G.o.d's existence, which is of great practical value, and is in itself sufficient to bind the moral actions of men. A bundle of rods may not be broken even though each one separately may; the strength of the bundle is the strength of the whole. If in practical affairs we were to hesitate to act until we have absolute and demonstrable certainty, we should never begin to move at all.
Instead of doubting everything that can be doubted, let us rather doubt nothing until we are compelled to doubt.