Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 98:392 (Oct 1941)
Article: Editorials
Author: Anonymous

BSac 98:392 (Oct 41) p. 385

Editorials

Following Beaten Paths

In a material world that is changing under unprecedented human inventions, in a scientific age which because of its own new discoveries must constantly revise its claims, and in an educational world which is probing to the depths and ascending to the heights of the range of possible human knowledge, it is natural for men to crave fads and to follow fancies in Biblical interpretation. While there is a limited field in which a devout scholar may find new aspects of truth, the case of the Bible student is different from all others. The revelation which he must investigate is made in clear language and is of things of knowledge-surpassing reality. The Bible scholar’s task is not to find something new-as though that which he possesses is imperfect or incomplete-; it is to publicize the truth once for all revealed. It is true that each individual must by the enablement of the Holy Spirit come to his own understanding of the revelation God has given and in that sphere he may be making discoveries; but he is not treading on ground on which others have not trod, nor is he, like the scientist, abandoning the conceptions he has already gained to make place for some revolutionary innovation. The writings of the early fathers, those of the Reformers and those who succeeded them are foundational in Christian doctrine. Every student must learn sooner or later that what is new to him has been the possession and delight of multitudes before him. The energy of those who wish to introduce wholly unheard-of ideas in interpretation of the Bible would be better expended in magnifying the immeasurable glory of that which is the common possession of all who with a scholarship foundation and with devout spiritual insight give tireless study to the Sacred Text.

Lewis Sperry Chafer

BSac 98:392 (Oct 41) p. 386

A Modern Prophet

During the first World War Bibliotheca Sacra published a prophecy about France, in the course of an article on Pan-Germanism.1 Our present European war fulfills the century-old forecast from Heine in Zur Geschichte der Religion und Philosophie in Deutschland. The writer discussing Pan-Germanism had not the temerity to think this prediction would come true, but quoted it because Heine offers there a subtle analysis of the German soul. To be sure, Heine prophesied the ruinous fall of France just as the twentieth century has seen it occur. Shrewd insight had led him to foresee that. At the same time, however, his powers of perception did not extend to considering the anti-Semitism which also would rise (though he himself was a Jew). Still, it may not be amiss to reprint this modern prophecy, so able seems its diagnosis of Heine’s own nation, Germany.<...