Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 109:434 (Apr 1952)
Article: Editorials
Author: Anonymous

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BSac 109:434 (Apr 52) p. 97

Editorials

The Scofield Bible

It is reported that a professor in a theological seminary, one which claims to be sound in Biblical interpretation, designated the Scofield Reference Bible as merely “a Bible of errors.” But such an expression is only a mild indication of the attitude of seminaries generally. In fact, it is only an outcropping of the prolonged controversy between the theories of theology and direct interpretation of the Scriptures by the expositor. The writer once heard G. Campbell Morgan say in the midst of an address: “What I am about to say is poor theology, but it is true Biblical exposition—so much the worse for the theology.” Dogmatic theology based on selected proof-texts may not always present the consensus of Bible teaching, especially when influenced by human prejudice. No doubt there is truth on both sides; but now as in Gamaliel’s day the dynamic truth is with the expositor, as then it was with the apostles. The theologians of that day were minded to slay the apostles (Acts 5:33) when Gamaliel warned them: “Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men…. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”

It is a pity, today, that the unfavorably prejudiced elders of the church might not be assembled in one place and a Gamaliel—one from their own company—might not warn them against the possibility that they fight against God for which, in the end, there must be great sorrow. It must be

BSac 109:434 (Apr 52) p. 98

recognized that the seal of divine blessing has rested on the Scofield Bible from the day of its publication, not merely in phenomenal sales but in the enlightenment of hundreds of thousands. Let the opponent justify his cause by producing effective helps on the text of the Scriptures. The Christian public, as always, will respond to upspringing light on God’s truth, but are not much helped by fault-finding negatives.

A common criticism of the Scofield Bible is the assertion that there is no scholarship back of it. The way it was published is a perfect answer to this notion. The writer, for many years a close associate of C. I. Scofield, heard from his lips the following facts:

As Dr. Scofield returned from Switzerland where he had completed the notes on the Bible, he passed through England and was urged there to present his man...

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