Comments

1. Tim Jeske says

   September 22, 2009 at 12:25 pm

   I wholeheartedly agree with your statement: “The authority of the Scriptures is not a matter to be defended, so much as to be asserted.” And while I understand what you intend with your last statement: “We need to remind ourselves frequently that it is the preaching and exposition of the Bible that really establish its truth and authority.” I would take a bit of a different position. I’m sure that you agree that our actions really have nothing at all to do with the establishment the truth and authority of God’s Word. The very nature of the person of God established those when his word was settled forever in heaven (Ps. 119.89). It is our responsibility to boldly proclaim/declare the truth of His word with the authority which the character of God conveys to it.

   The problem, as I see it, is not so much a low view of the Scriptures (although it cannot be denied that such a view is the source of some terrible ills in the Church today). More serious, however, and perhaps the root of it all, is today’s increasingly low view of God. If the author of the Word is not really who and what He claims to be, then it follows that the Word is not what He says that it is. Who can trust either?

   Our need today is the same as it was (though perhaps magnified) when A.W. Tozer pointed out the need for an awakening of our knowledge of the Holy God nearly half a century ago.

2. Alfredo Deambrosi says

   September 22, 2009 at 12:41 pm

   What a great quotation!

   There’s no need to be wringing our hands over attacks on the Bible. It is not vulnerable.

3. Abigail Hagger says

   October 1, 2009 at 9:01 pm

   I love this quote!

   I can agree with David Lloyd-Jones last phrase, but feel that it is lacking.
   “We need to remind ourselves frequently that it is the preaching and exposition of the Bible [along with loving others with the incarnational love of God and Christ] that really establish its truth and authority.”

   The same goes to our defense of the truth or of God. He does not need to be defended as if He is vulnerable. But who can resist blatent and perfect love, in a way that fulfills them in ways that everything else in their life has left them wanting.
   We hardly ever win anyone over by our convincing, we win people over by letting God work through us to love them. We ask God, “How is it that you are wanting to love them?” We love them by listening, then we gaze at them with the loving eyes of Christ.
   When we embrace and hold them with the secure arms of the Father, in the end they will wonder what this great love is that they thought no human could ever posess. We then can tell them that we don’t posess love as much as God possesses us with His love. And Oh, to read the story, history, and love letters of that God! How exciting are His words for us!

   Spreading the gospel is like “One beggar telling another beggar where to find food, water, shelter, and community”.

   (Sorry for any spelling errors)

4. Benjamen S. Long says

   May 9, 2012 at 8:06 pm

   WHERE DID SPURGEON SAY THIS? I have seen this quote all over the net, in one expression or another, but am absolutely unable to trace it to a “source.” I am weary of hearing what SPURGEON said, by people who are simply “passing along what they have heard,” and not read personally.

   If ANYONE should come across an actual source, please help me by pointing me at it (smile).

   • Andy Naselli says

     May 10, 2012 at 7:10 am

     Cf. these two sermons by Spurgeon:

     1. “The Lover of God’s Law Filled with Peace” (no. 2004), preached on January 22, 1888:

     Beloved, God may do what he wills, and we will praise him. He may say what he wills, and we will praise him. We read in his Word stern things, words of wrath and deeds of vengeance. Shall we try to soften them, or invent apologies for them? By no means. Jehovah our God is a consuming fire. We love him, not as he is improved upon by “modern thought,” but as he reveals himself in Scripture. The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, “this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our Guide, even unto death.” Even when he is robed in the terror of his judgments, we sing praises unto his name; even as they did at the Red Sea, when they saw Pharaoh and his host swallowed up of the mighty waters: “Sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” Our hallelujahs are “to him that slew mighty kings; for his mercy endureth for ever.” It is not mine to improve upon the character of Jehovah, but to reverence and adore him as he manifests himself, either in judgment or in grace. I, who am less than nothing and vanity, dare not scan his work, nor bring him to my bar, lest I hear a voice saying, “Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?” What am I that I should be the ultimate judge of truth, or of justice, or of wisdom? Whatever God may be, or speak, or do-that is right: it is not mine to arraign my Maker, but to adore him. Extenuations, explanations, and apologies may be produced from the best of motives; but too often they suggest to opposers that it is admitted that God’s most holy Word contains something in it which is doubtful, or weak, or antiquated. It looks as though it needed to be defended by human wisdom. Brethren, the Word of the Lord can stand alone, without the propping which many are giving it. These props come down, and then our adversaries think that the Book is down too. The Word of God can take care of itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries. Yes, without attempting to apologize even for the severer truths of revelation, seven times a day do we praise the Lord for giving us his judgments, so righteous and so sure.

     2. “Christ and His Co-workers” (no. 2467), preached on June 10, 1896:

     You believe the gospel; you believe that men are perishing for lack of it; therefore, I pray you, do not stop to consider, do not wait to deliberate any longer. The best way to spread the gospel is to spread the gospel. I believe the best way of defending the gospel is to spread the gospel I was addressing a number of students, the other day, upon the apologies for the gospel which are so numerous just now. A great many learned men are defending the gospel; no doubt it is a very proper and right thing to do, yet I always notice that, when there are most books of that kind, it is because the gospel itself is not being preached. Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, a full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best “apology” for the gospel is to let the gospel out. Never mind about defending Deuteronomy or the whole of the Pentateuch; preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. Let the Lion out, and see who will dare to approach him. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will soon drive away all his adversaries. This was how Christ’s first disciples worked, they preached Jesus Christ wherever they went; they did not stop to apologise, but boldly bore their witness concerning him.