Editorial February 25, 1905 Issue

The Bible Appreciated

Archibald McLellan

To the question, Is the Bible in danger? the Christian Register replies:—

"Yes, it is in danger of being laid upon the shelf never to be read again. Probably the majority of business men never open a Bible, but the cause of this neglect does not lie in the higher criticism or in any of the so-called attacks upon the Bible. Many theories of the origin, duty, and destiny of mankind which, it was claimed, were based upon the Bible, are passing away and with them is passing interest in the book which is held responsible for these outworn doctrines. It may be that the Bible will come again into the place it deserves to hold in the first rank among the records of the past, as the result of the new studies which reveal it in its true character, as a record of the spiritual struggles of some of the most excellent seekers for truth and doers of righteousness who have ever lived upon the earth. The very efforts which have resulted in the total destruction of ancient dogmas concerning the will of God and the nature of man, have brought to light facts of wonderful interest to all students of human progress, and will, in time, cause the Bible to be read with new delight by those who are interested in the history of their race."

If the statement that "probably the majority of business men never open the Bible" is true, then the reason assigned by the Register for this lack of interest in the Scriptures is without doubt the correct one, but the business man—the layman—should not be held too strictly to account for this state of affairs. He is not wholly to blame. He has trusted to others for an interpretation of the sacred writings, and they have given him a theory of God which is inconsistent with the highest human ideals, and a Saviour whose healing ministry ceased with the earthly career of our Master. Christian Science is rescuing business men, and other men, from this condition of agnosticism and is revealing to them a God who is Love, a God who is healing the suffering and sorrowing just as they were healed of old in Judaea. It is because of this new-old revelation of Emmanuel that the Bible is so precious to Christian Scientists, and has become their constant companion.

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