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By the Spirit of the Word I mean its real and intended meaning, in contradistinction
to its apparent and surface meaning, or the "letter." It is a common
mistake among Christians to suppose that the Bible is written in very plain
and simple language, and that the correct meaning is that which lies upon
the surface--- the most obvious and apparent sense. If I err not, the truth
is just the opposite of this. The Bible often means something very different
from what it says; there is a hidden, mystical sense that is like "the
pearl hid in the depths of the sea, the real jewel." It may sound
strange and erroneous to some to hear any one say that the Bible does not
mean what it says. But if you will read this paper month after month, I
think I can show you that I do not make the statement unwarrantably: and
herein, let me add, lies the explanation of that fact that has been, and
still is, such a stumbling stone to thousands of honest seekers after truth,
viz., the almost innumerable differences of opinion on Bible doctrine.
Men equally pious, devoted and learned, are in antipodal antagonism in
regard to Scriptural teachings; and the learned seeing such discrepancy
among those who are considered leaders, each one pointing in a different
direction, are brought into endless perplexity and confusion. The fact
is, oftentimes, all these leaders are wrong. They are building upon the
letter that kills, and hence the contradictions. Error is manifold. Truth
is a unit; there may be any number of wrong explanations of scripture or
a doctrine; there is only one right one. A crooked line may run in any
number of different directions. A straight line can run in but one. All
the while the "doctors" are disputing about the letter, the truth lies
like a fair jewel hid away in the spirit, to be revealed to some humble
soul, unlearned and obscure, it may be, and yet possessing the proper spirit
to enable him to receive "the deep things of God." "I thank thee, Father,
maker of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise
and prudent and revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so
it seemed good in Thy sight." I claim (without stopping now to give
proof, of which there is abundance, as I shall show hereafter)
that to all scripture there is a spirit as well as a letter, the former
is the real but hidden meaning; the latter is only the outward form of
the truth, the shell, the husk, the symbol, absolutely useless and worthless,
and even harmful, unless the true intent is apprehended. This Spirit of
the Word we shall endeavor to bring out, as God shall help us, so that
the Scripture shall really be life unto us, and not death. For the present
we will only notice one very plain and familiar illustration of this spiritual
meaning of Scripture.
Take the case of Abraham and his two wives, as told in the Old Testament
and as explained by Paul in the fourth chapter of Galatians. The Old Testament
account is the letter that kills. Paul's explanation is the spirit,
or real meaning that giveth life. But how is it, some one asks, that
the letter in this account kills, and the spirit gives life? The Old Testament
account appears anything but creditable either to God, or to Abraham, or
to Sarah. The command that God gives in Gen. XXI. 12, seems harsh and unjust.
Abraham's course seems to have been very reprehensible; and Sarah's conduct
unreasonable and cruel in the extreme. (See Gen. XVI. 3-6 and XXII. 9,
etc.). Take this account as it reads, in the letter merely, and it would
certainly give one a disagreeable impression of God, and would repel them
from him, instead of drawing them toward him; and many an infidel
has brought up these very points and objections to show the evil tendency
of the teaching of the Bible, and the unfeeling and unjust character of
the God of the Hebrews. Thus the letter kills. But now in the light of
Paul's explanation all these objections fall to the ground; everything
is made plain when we understand that "all these things happened for
types," (1 Cor. X. 11, margin). Paul brings out the real meaning
of the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Word, and thus we obtain knowledge
of God (for in Paul's "allegory" we have an epitome of God's entire plan
of salvation). Knowledge of God is "life eternal" (aeonial) John
XVII. 3.
Thus "the spirit giveth life."
The Spirit of the Word, I have said, is the real, the intended meaning;
and I would add that it is the only meaning that is profitable to the child
of God. If you miss the spirit of a passage of Scripture and see
only the letter, you have lost the full ear of corn and hold only the husk
in your hand. "The flesh profiteth nothing, it is the spirit that giveth
life." (John VI. 63). The Bible is purposely written in "parables and dark
sayings" that the truth may not be seen (Mark IV. 12) except by those who
"search for it as men search for hid treasures." The passage in Hab. II.
2 is often quoted, "that he who runs may read;" the idea being that so
plain is the Word of God that a passing glance, like one glancing at a
sign as he hastens by, is all that is needful to make the truth clear.
But the passage is misquoted; the correct reading is "that he that readeth
may run." If we read God's Word in the spirit (and if we do not get the
spirit of the Word we do not read God's Word at all), it will certainly
cause us to "run with patience the race set before us." But we need not
think that a mere cursory glance at God's truth, while we are all
absorbed for the most of the time in the world, will be all that is needful
to make us "wise unto salvation."
One more thought---I would make a distinction between this view of the
Spirit of the Word and the method of so called "spiritualizing" of scripture
that is so largely practiced by theologians of our day. By this latter
process the Scriptures are often made perfectly meaningless and abortive.
For instance the 35th chapter of Isaiah being thus "spiritualized" is made
to apply to the present time, and thus its grand symbols and marvelous
declarations are greatly belittled and impaired. In the same way the last
chapter of Zechariah is robbed of its grand meaning and beauty. Now I do
not believe in any such "spiritualizing" as this, but rather in the kind
indicated above. We may safely lay it down as a rule that the spiritual
meaning of any passage is never less important, and less grand than the
letter. God's promises are not at a discount, but rather at a premium.
His "paper'' is worth more than the face value, not less. Any explanation
of a scripture that belittles it, that seems to fall far short of the language
used, may be looked upon at once with suspicion, for the reality of God's
truth is not below, but far above the power of human expression.
I shall be able to make this subject clearer, I think, by Scriptural illustrations
from time to time in the paper. The foregoing will perhaps sufficiently
explain the title for the present.
(Spirit of The Word Editor's Note: A. P. Adams states, "The Bible is
purposely written in "parables and dark sayings" that the truth may not be seen
(Mark IV. 12) except by those who "search for it as men search for hid
treasures." We focus on the statement "except by those who search;" we
feel that any man or women coming to the Bible and performing a surface "search"
will find limited meaning to the questions they have. The answer or the
revealing of a mystery must come by the holy Spirit and that will come
when the searcher is at the feet of the Master; the answer will manifest
God's purpose....for God has called every man (child ) in their own order, none
will come before their time. Those who come to the Scriptures and read of the
reconciliation of all mankind (world) will not receive the
revelation unless they are lead by the Spirit. Just to say "we are ambassadors"
does not embrace the Christed authority behind the statement. Only through
revelation of reconciliation of all mankind will the servant of God embrace the
God of the universe, our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Again we reference
"parables and dark sayings" and would direct each searcher to go the the
writings of George Lamsa. In Lamsa's book
IDIOMS IN THE BIBLE EXPLAINED AND A KEY TO THE
ORIGINAL GOSPELS, he sheds light (revelation) as to improper text
translations and the lack of the translators understanding the idioms of Christ
day. Of note is the improper translation of Matt. 27:45-47, "Eli, Eli, Lmana
Sabachthani." Properly translated it should read, "My God, My God, for this I
was kept." Please read Lmasa's work and see what the Spirit imparts to your
understanding. End of Note).
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