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Holy Scriptures
97
an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up,
filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give
him a candid hearing? The only right way would be to sit down
as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of
God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule
his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false,
or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith
will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it.
There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us.
The Scriptures to be Studied with Reverence
We should come with reverence to the study of the Bible, feeling
that we are in the presence of God. All lightness and trifling should
be laid aside. While some portions of the word are easily understood,
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the true meaning of other parts is not so readily discerned. There
must be patient study and meditation and earnest prayer. Every
student, as he opens the Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment
of the Holy Spirit; and the promise is sure that it will be given.
The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scrip-
tures will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels
from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart
seek for divine guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence,
with a feeling of self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice,
Satan is beside you, and he will set the plain statements of God’s
word in a perverted light.
There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mock-
ery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of
objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly
answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the
evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their
questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but is intended
merely to confuse the minds of others.
Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and
superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort
to subtlety of argument, to playing upon words; they take unjust
advantage in asking questions. When their questions have been fairly
answered, they will turn the subject [and] bring up another point to