Chap. 12 -
What to Do with Doubt
Many,
especially those who are young in the Christian life, are at times troubled
with the suggestions of skepticism. There
are in the Bible many things which they cannot explain, or even understand,
and Satan employs these to shake their faith in the Scriptures as a
revelation from God. They ask, "How shall I know the right way? If
the Bible is indeed the word of God, how can I be freed from these doubts and
perplexities?" {SC 105.1}
God never asks
us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our
faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all
established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is
abundant. Yet God has never removed
the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not
demonstration. Those who wish to
doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth
will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. {SC 105.2}
It is
impossible for finite minds fully
to comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect,
the most highly educated mind, that holy Being must ever remain clothed in
mystery. "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the
Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper
than hell; what canst thou know?" Job 11:7, 8.
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{SC 105.3}
The apostle
Paul exclaims, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and
knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past
finding out!" Romans 11:33. But though "clouds and darkness are
round about Him," "righteousness and judgment are the foundation of
His throne." Psalm 97:2, R.V. We can so far comprehend His dealings with
us, and the motives by which He is actuated, that we may discern boundless
love and mercy united to infinite power. We can understand as much of His
purposes as it is for our good to know; and beyond this we must still trust
the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love. {SC 106.1}
The word of
God, like the character of its divine Author, presents mysteries that can
never be fully comprehended
by finite beings. The entrance of sin
into the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection,
and many other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for
the human mind to explain, or even fully to comprehend. But we
have no reason to doubt God's word because we cannot understand the mysteries
of His providence. In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with
mysteries that we cannot fathom. The very humblest forms of life present a
problem that the wisest of philosophers is powerless to explain. Everywhere
are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then be surprised to find that in the
spiritual world also there are mysteries that we cannot fathom? The difficulty lies solely in the
weakness and narrowness of the human mind. God has given us in the Scriptures
sufficient evidence of their divine character, and we are not to
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doubt His
word because we cannot understand all the mysteries of His providence. {SC 106.2}
The apostle Peter says that there are in
Scripture "things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned
and unstable wrest . . . unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16.
The difficulties of Scripture have been urged by skeptics as an argument
against the Bible; but so far from this, they constitute a strong evidence of
its divine inspiration. If it
contained no account of God but that which we could easily comprehend; if His
greatness and majesty could be grasped by finite minds, then the Bible would
not bear the unmistakable credentials of divine authority. The very grandeur
and mystery of the themes presented should inspire faith in it as the word of
God. {SC 107.1}
The Bible
unfolds truth with a simplicity and a perfect adaptation to the needs and
longings of the human heart, that has astonished and charmed the most highly
cultivated minds, while it enables the humblest and uncultured to discern the
way of salvation. And yet these simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects
so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the power of human
comprehension, that we can accept them only because God has declared them.
Thus the plan of redemption is laid open to us, so that every soul may see
the steps he is to take in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ, in order to be saved in God's appointed way; yet beneath these
truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries that are the hiding of His
glory--mysteries that overpower the mind in its research, yet inspire the
sincere seeker for truth with reverence and faith. The more
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he searches the Bible, the deeper is his conviction that
it is the word of the living God, and human reason bows before the majesty of
divine revelation. {SC 107.2}
To acknowledge
that we cannot fully
comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that the finite
mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited, human
knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience. {SC 108.1}
Because they
cannot fathom all its
mysteries, the skeptic and the infidel reject God's word; and not all who
profess to believe the Bible are free from danger on this point. The apostle
says, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12. It is right
to study closely the teachings of the Bible and to search into "the deep
things of God" so far as they are revealed in Scripture. 1 Corinthians
2:10. While "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,"
"those things which are revealed belong unto us." Deuteronomy
29:29. But it is Satan's work to
pervert the investigative powers of the mind. A certain pride is
mingled with the considerati on of Bible truth, so that men feel impatient
and defeated if they cannot explain every portion of Scripture to their
satisfaction. It is too humiliating to them to acknowledge that they
do not understand the inspired words. They are unwilling to wait patiently
until God shall see fit to reveal the truth to them. They feel that their
unaided human wisdom is sufficient to enable them to comprehend the
Scripture, and failing to do this, they virtually deny its authority. It is
true that many theories and doctrines popularly supposed to be derived from
the Bible have no foundation in its teaching, and indeed are
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contrary to the whole tenor of inspiration. These things
have been a cause of doubt and perplexity to many minds. They are not,
however, chargeable to God's word, but to man's perversion of it. {SC 108.2}
If it were
possible for created beings to attain to a full understanding of God and His works, then, having
reached this point, there would be for them no further discovery of truth, no
growth in knowledge, no further development of mind or heart. God would no
longer be supreme; and man, having reached the limit of knowledge and
attainment, would cease to advance. Let us thank God that it is not so. God
is infinite; in Him are "all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge." Colossians 2:3. And to all eternity men may be ever
searching, ever learning, and yet never exhaust the treasures of His wisdom,
His goodness, and His power. {SC 109.1}
God intends that even in this life the
truths of His word shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is
only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an
understanding of God's word only through the illumination of that Spirit by
which the word was given. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God;" "for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep
things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11, 10. And the Saviour's promise to His
followers was, "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you
into all truth. . . . For He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto
you." John 16:13, 14. {SC 109.2}
God desires man
to exercise his reasoning powers; and the study of the Bible will
strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can. Yet we are to
beware
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of deifying reason, which is subject to the weakness and
infirmity of humanity. If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our
understanding, so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must
have the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn, and
beseeching the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the power and wisdom of
God, and of our inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us with
humility, and we should open His word, as we would enter His presence, with
holy awe. When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority
superior to itself, and heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM. {SC
109.3}
There are many things apparently difficult
or obscure, which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an
understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall
be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them.
There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a
positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without
prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony
with His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the
Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and
he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not in
word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they
may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is
not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who look to the Scriptures to
find discrepancies, have not spiritual
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insight. With distorted vision they will see many
causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple.
{SC 110.1}
Disguise it
as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the
love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome
to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its
requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth,
we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to
obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find
abundant evidence that it is God's word, and they may gain an understanding
of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation. {SC 111.1}
Christ has
said, "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the
teaching." John 7:17, R.V. Instead of questioning and caviling
concerning that which you do not understand, give heed to the light that
already shines upon you, and you will receive greater light. By the grace
of Christ, perform every duty that has been made plain to your understanding,
and you will be enabled to understand and perform those of which you are now
in doubt. {SC 111.2}
There is an
evidence that is open to all,--the most highly educated, and the most
illiterate,--the evidence of experience. God invites us to prove for
ourselves the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. He bids us
"taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8. Instead of
depending upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves. He
declares, "Ask, and ye shall receive." John 16:24. His promises
will be
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fulfilled. They have never failed; they never can fail.
And as we draw near to Jesus, and rejoice in the fullness of His love, our
doubt and darkness will disappear in the light of His presence. {SC 111.3}
The apostle
Paul says that God "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Colossians 1:13.
And everyone who has passed from death unto life is able to "set to his
seal that God is true." John 3:33. He can testify, "I needed help,
and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul was
satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation of Jesus Christ. Do you
ask why I believe in Jesus? Because He is to me a divine Saviour. Why do I
believe the Bible? Because I have found it to be the voice of God to my
soul." We may have the witness in ourselves that the Bible is true, that
Christ is the Son of God. We know that we are not following cunningly devised
fables. {SC 112.1}
Peter exhorts
his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. When the people of God are growing
in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His
word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has
been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue
to the end. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18, R.V.,
margin. {SC 112.2}
By faith we may
look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of God for a growth of intellect,
the
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human faculties uniting with the divine, and every power
of the soul being brought into direct contact with the Source of light. We
may rejoice that all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will
then be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find an
explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken
purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. "Now we
see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. {SC
112.3}
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