The Bible - God's Word - Walter Martin

MARCH 26, 1962

About fifty years ago a young man sat in a class at a University and heard an eminent Doctor Professor say regarding the first part of Genesis: "It is a myth." And about the same time another Professor said to his class: "All thinking people have gotten over the idea that the Bible is inspired." Having been raised in the atmosphere and climate of "faith" that "The Scriptures of The Old and New Testaments were the only infallible rule of faith and practice whereby to glorify God," such statements troubled this young man, for he considered that these men had more sense than he did and that they were probably better educated than his former teachers. However, though just a boy as he now looks back, he is thankful for one reaction he immediately had towards the prominent Doctor, for he seemed to "smell a rat," or the odor of hypocrisy and asked himself:

"What is he doing in The Church and a prominent officer in his Church and why doesn't he get out?"

Whether the other "bird" was a Church member or not is not definitely known, but think he was. If either of these men had honesty and integrity enough to realize they were breaking solemn vows made to God, in His House, in the presence of His people as witnesses, doubtless their pride and presumption and self-conceit had choked to death at birth any such sentiments, or very soon thereafter! For a time this boy shared some of these men's unbelief, but after "Searching The Scriptures" in order to determine whether to get out or stay in the Church he was fully persuaded to more and more and further and further "get in." He also soon "got the number" of these learned men when he found that "In the wisdom of God, the world by its wisdom knew not God."

For his own profit, and for any he might have opportunity to influence, later on, he made an analysis of these two men. You can make it of yourself or another by knowing or guessing at their age. Make it especially concerning those who attack "The Word of God" -- and today their name is many legions," even in our churches passing themselves off as Christians and "called of God to preach!" The analysis was suggested by a question God asked of Job when He appeared to him:

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the world, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

The younger of these two men was probably in his late twenties: so where was he just about 30 years ago? He was in his father's loins -- rather difficult to imagine what he looked like then! 29 years ago he was in his mother's womb. 28 years ago he was a helpless little baby unconscious of being alive, and unable to utter intelligent speech. About 27 years ago he was still a helpless infant but beginning to say, "What's this, what's that, why this, why that, etc?" Marvel of marvels, however, for a little more than a score of years and he is sitting in a Professor's chair in a University passing out the information that The Bible, The Word of God Almighty is not inspired!

The Bible: The Book of Books which has endured through the centuries and has borne the burden and heat of battles with kings, rulers, worldly wise, and men and devils ever since the "Snake in The Garden" lifted up its voice against it! Its enemies have fought it with fire, sword, gibbets, crosses and every sort of torture men and devils could devise! Yet it has come forth victorious over all and still stands to bless or curse mankind:

"The savour of life unto life or of death unto death -- For The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

You just ought to read and get familiar with it, and saturate your mind and heart with "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Don't try to appraise it, but rather search to see how it appraises you yourself! It is your duty if you have taken vows to God in joining some Evangelical Protestant Church. God has given us one day in seven especially for this purpose. "Be sure your sin will find you out!" While this is true concerning every secret sin of the thief, the adulterer and fornicator, the murderer, etc., yet the direct connection in which God speaks these words is to those who made a promise and then failed to perform and fulfill it. Numbers 32:23:

"But if ye will not do so, Behold, ye have sinned against The Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out."

"But if ye will not do so" has reference to a promise they had made, and a promise which was going to be very costly and self-denying to fulfill. Consider what this passage reveals regarding God's attitude towards our promises to do this, or that, pay our debts, etc., but above all, the promise and vow we made to God in joining His Church! In another place God says that they who make a covenant in His House and fail to keep it "Pollute His Name."

Speaking of "pollution" we do well to remember that God says our very land is "defiled and polluted" by bloodshed in murder, and it can only be cleansed by man shedding the blood of the murderer to make atonement! Is there any rage today against The Lord and His Annointed? Do we not make war on God and fight against Him when we substitute the precepts of man for "The Law of our God?" By the way, God's Word tells us one result of following the precepts of man rather than God's precepts is that "the wisdom of their wise men will fail" and "princes become fools." Did not our wisdom and the wisdom of our leaders and wise men fail utterly in giving recognition to Russia about thirty years ago? If Stalin made fools of us at Potsdam, Yalta, Teheran, etc., it appears that we are still unwilling to admit it, but go on increasing our folly by rejecting, neglecting and ignoring The Law of Our God for the precepts of man, and are in danger of fulfilling again The Scripture:

"Behold, ye are risen up ... an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord . . . "

"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with Thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" Psalm 94:20.

Doubtless we all share in the responsibility for the serious condition our nation and the world are in, but it especially lays at the door of those of us who have made vows to God and failed to keep them. Our sin is surely finding us out! Is not repentance and restitution in order?