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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
What Men of the Past Have Said About the Bible
A public show of respect for the Bible has been the posture of men and women in western civilization for centuries. Positions of prominence have been occupied by those who, sincerely or not, pronounced their belief in and appreciation for The Book. Only in more recent years has it become fashionable to ridicule and denounce God and the Bible openly, but now that point has been reached in this country and others. Art, theater, journalism, politics—even religion, have especially seen these views grow within their own ranks, even to the extent of blatant blasphemy. There is, however, a body of material written by men of renown in various fields of endeavor that are worthy of our consideration.
William Cowper
A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.
Immanuel Kant
The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.
Patrick Henry
The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.
John Clifford
“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
‘How many anvils have you had,’ said I,
‘to wear and batter all these hammers so?’
‘Just one,’ said he; then said with twinkling eye,
‘The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.’
And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word,
for ages skeptics blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed—the hammers gone.”
Charles Dickens
The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.
Sir William Herschel
All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths contained in the Sacred Scriptures.
William Ellery Channing
The incongruity of the Bible with the age of its birth; its freedom from earthly mixtures; its original, unborrowed, solitary greatness; the suddenness with which it broke forth amidst the general gloom; these, to me, are strong indications of its Divine descent; I cannot reconcile them with a human origin.
William H. Seward
The whole hope of human progress is suspended on the ever-growing influence of the Bible.
Charles Hodge
The best evidence of the Bible’s being the Word of God is found between its covers.
Charles Meigs
What is a home without a Bible? ‘Tis a home where daily bread for the body is provided, but the soul is never fed.
The Apostle Paul By the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Of course, neither the Bible’s value nor its credibility stands or falls on the condition of man’s acceptance. Those whose words were penned in years past and printed on this page did not always live by the import of their remarks, but their words remain as a reminder that the Bible continues to deserve our attention and our reverence. Thank God for it! Study it! Know it! Teach it! Live by it!
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Lasting Peace
Peace, in the Greek, carries a meaning “to set at oneness, to make whole.” The Hebrew language uses a word shalom, which expresses sincere desire for one to “fare-well in body, mind, soul and estate.” Peace is such a soothing word. It engenders hope, promises, happiness, and gives meaning as well as purpose to life. Individuals crave peace of mind. Couples desire to dwell together in peace and harmony. Families want to function and communicate in an environment of peace. Congregations endeavor to keep “the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Communities and even nations spend huge amounts of money to promote peace. Why is something so beautiful and sought after so hard to achieve and maintain? The answer is that many have redefined the meaning of peace. Others are seeking it from the wrong source. Lasting peace can be had only when we recognize and accept the:
God of Peace. He is the Source of lasting peace. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). We waste our time if we go to any other source for peace (1 Thessalonians 5:21-23).
Peace of God. He designed peace that lasts. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). God’s prescription for peace is outlined in Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse (Colossians 3:12-17).
Peace from God. Since He is the Source of peace and designed peace for us, true and lasting peace can come only from Him. “To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). In almost every epistle Paul wrote, he expressed his prayer that Christians have the peace that comes from God (1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 1:2).
Peace with God. God desires that all mankind be at peace with Him. “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). We can have peace with God only through Jesus, “for he is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:12-17).
Those who accept the God of peace and His terms for real peace are the only ones who will have lasting peace. When we honestly and sincerely want and make peace with God, we will have taken the first step in securing personal, marital, family, congregational, and extended peace. “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
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