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Chapter 3—The Holy Scriptures
How Shall We Search the Scriptures?
[Gospel Workers, 1893 edition, 125-131.]
How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what
they teach? We should come to the investigation of God’s word with
a contrite heart, a teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think,
as did the Jews, that our own ideas and opinions are infallible; nor
with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole guardians of
truth and knowledge, that men have no right to search the Scriptures
for themselves, but must accept the explanations given by the fathers
of the church. We should not study the Bible for the purpose of
sustaining our preconceived opinions, but with the single object of
learning what God has said.
Some have feared that if in even a single point they acknowledge
themselves in error, other minds would be led to doubt the whole
theory of truth. Therefore they have felt that investigation should
not be permitted, that it would tend to dissension and disunion. But
if such is to be the result of investigation, the sooner it comes the
better. If there are those whose faith in God’s word will not stand the
test of an investigation of the Scriptures, the sooner they are revealed
the better; for then the way will be opened to show them their error.
We cannot hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated,
is not, under any circumstances, to be relinquished. There is but One
who is infallible—He who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception
of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view
of Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it true—in harmony
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with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes
through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So
thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas that they will not
examine the Scripture evidence with a desire to learn, but refuse to
be interested, merely because of their prejudices.
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