I just finished reading "A Scottish Christian Heritage" by Ian Murray. I was impressed by the last chapter of the book. I was so riveted reading it, I stay up till past 1 AM reading it.
The last chapter records the apostasty and departure from the truth that took place in the late 1800's. The revivals in Scotland in the 1800's produces men like Hugh Martin, Thomas Chalmers, Robert Murray McCheyne, William Cunningham, Andrew and Horatio Bonar, James Bannerman, Rabbi John Duncan. Indeed, this was a time when there were spiritual giants in the land. So what happened? How is it that so much of Scotland is a spiritual wasteland today?
Men like A. B. Davidson began sowing seeds of doubt upon the Scripture, denying Mosaic authorship of the Penteteuch, embracing higher critical theories from Germany. Then exceptional students were then sent to schools in Germany and would learn the higher critical theories that would attack the inerrancy of Scripture. Then men like Robertson Smith, George Adam Smith, A. B. Bruce began to introduce their attacks upon inerrancy and when they were put on trial for heresy none of the charges could stick.
I find it to be a scary thing that it is difficult to get hired today as a professor in an evangelical seminary without having a degree from a school in Europe that attacks the Scripture and teaches higher critical theories. Take a look at many of the popular evangelical seminaries and read the bio's on the faculty and see many have attained doctorates from schools that attack the Scripture. Even someone like John Piper in the 1970's knew that he wanted to become a professor at a Christian college or seminary. So he went to a school in Germany that attacked the Scripture. I bless God that Piper survived the assault and winded up teaching at Bethel College and Seminary. But I must ask why do evangelical seminaries drool over a doctorate from an institution that teaches God-hating, Scripture-assaulting lies?
Shouldn't we learn from history? Woe to the seminary that sacrifices truth on the altar of scholarship.
I thank God that I attended a seminary (Master's Seminary) that is holding the line on truth and not abandoning the inerrancy of Scripture. Let us pray for the seminaries that train pastors that will be feeding the flock of God for years to come in the US and elsewhere. Let us pray for a revival that would produce giants in the land in the days of mid 19th century Scotland.
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2 comments:
This is a good word Matt. If you get a chance check out Paul washers sermon on the 10 indictments of the modern church.
Jeff
That is a good word, been meaning to comment to this.
I wonder if the same spirit lead the institutions in Early America that were first founded upon biblical truth to stray. Where the desire for Christian belief and education is to make it more respectable, more prestigous, more 'recognized' by the world. It's fearful the amount of worldy thinking, philosphy, pyschology and the like that has been mixed in many institutions; I often wonder when some respectable scholar or leader shockingly strays on a fundamental doctrine if this is part of the reason.
Praise God for men who have come out of such places still strong in the faith, it's funny how many people that are out there that cannot attribute their theological convictions to their seminary because it was liberal. (who's recommending such places?)
C-you soon, I'm expecting those Albert Martin sermons this SUNDAY: GOD BLESS
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