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Selected Messages Book 2
You read the Word of God in the light of your own views. You build
up a false structure, and then barricade it with texts which you claim
prove it to be true; but you pass over those passages which prove it
to be untrue. You say, “The Bible is my foundation of faith.” But is
it? I answer, The Bible does not sustain your position. Again you say,
“Show me by the Bible that I am wrong, and I will give up my views.”
But how can you be convinced by the Bible as long as you wrest and
misapply its utterances? By so doing you cut off the only source by
which God might reach and convict you.
The only true way to search the Scriptures is to lay down every
prejudice, every preconceived opinion, at the very door of investigation,
and then enter into the work with an eye single to the glory of God,
with an understanding open to conviction, and a heart softened to
believe what the Lord says to you.
The opinions of men in regard to the interpretation of Scripture
are many and varied; but the Scriptures are not changed to suit men’s
ideas. The blessed Book is yea and amen; it remains firm, eternal. The
commentaries of men do not all agree, but the great and blessed facts
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remain the same. God’s Word is immutable; “it is written.”
You have also taken from their connection portions of the testi-
monies which the Lord has given for the benefit of His people, and have
misapplied them to the support of your erroneous theories—borrowing
or stealing the light of Heaven to teach that which the testimonies have
no harmony with, and have ever condemned. Thus you place both
scripture and testimony in the framework of error. All who are in error
do as you have done.... You do not have real faith in the testimonies.
If you did, you would have received those which pointed out your
delusion. You have been drinking at polluted streams....
You have been prepared to accept Satan’s suggestions to give
to the world something new and strange and startling, something in
opposition to the positions that have been so long held as truth by our
people. Your daughter’s false productions have exalted you to do a
great work. You have been flattered and have made yourself an agent
of the enemy in bringing about results which it is impossible for you
to estimate. You have published heresies and theories which could
only excite animosity. The result is lamentable to your family and to
all who are in sympathy with the false theories you have advanced.
Brother Garmire, there is a work for you to do for yourself which no