Vol 2:10 (October 1956)
Editorial
What a prominent place is given to doctrine in Paul’s letter to Timothy! How important it was in primitive Christianity; how powerful in every period of recovery during the Church’s history!
Sound doctrine wielded its influence upon the centuries of this era; in particular its strength was tremendous during the nineteenth century.
At the close of that period doctrinal preaching characterized the movement of grace that resulted in the gathering to the Lord in Christian simplicity of many of His beloved people. The power of the preaching and of the literature in those days was resident in the Holy Spirit Who expressed Himself in the expository message and in the doctrinal subject.
This is an indisputable fact; therefore, we ought to return to doctrinal and expository preaching and writing.
How impoverished is the concordance sermon, the mere linking together of passages, which generally have no connection other than that they contain the same English word or letter! How distasteful the experiential discourse, the narration of experiences which frequently direct more attention to the speaker than to the Christ! How disgusting the censorious address that finds fault with others, judges motives, denounces another’s ministry, and distresses the people of God; yet, contributes little to the edification of the saints!
Let us see that no one teaches other doctrine than sound healthful doctrine, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us insist upon the presentation of the truth of God, not the opinions of men; the exposition of the Bible, not the inferences of a fertile imagination; the great doctrines of our Christian faith, not the empty platitudes of immature thinking.
It is a whole-hearted return to the rich edifying preaching of holy men of other days and the solid doctrinal teaching of the nineteenth century that will preserve the saints, the character of the assemblies, and the testimony of the churches of God. It is this type of ministry that will guide the young, comfort the aged, establish the youth, stimulate the mature, correct the wanderer, and instruct the disciple.
A careful reading of R. McClurkin’s article on the doctrine of Sanctification will preserve from any error in regard to Christian holiness. The exposition of E. W. Rogers is one of comfort and rest, one so necessary in this day of tension. Our first article by Wylam Price, a High-School teacher constantly dealing with youth, contains the very essence of practical Christianity. John Bramhall again gives us words of faith, hope, and comfort. All this variety we need to establish and direct us on our pilgrimage heavenward.