When Albertus Pieters wrote about the Scofield Bible in 1938, he said it was one of the most dangerous books on the market.
[SIZE=+2]SCOFIELD NOTES ANSWERED[/SIZE]
by CHARLES GILBERT WESTON
From the Scofield Reference Bibles 1917 and 1967 editions (Referenced as SRB 1917 and SRB 1967)
As a very young Bible school teacher I obtained books on the Christian life, principles of interpretation, doctrine and prophecy that were duly approved in "Fundamentalist" circles. Also I was given a copy of the 1917 Scofield Reference Bible. I ran into problems of squaring what they taught with what I was learning as I studied and taught the Scriptures. Now I am past 80, having studied, ministered, and taught for 64 years around the world. Many others have helped and still help me. Please hear some Scriptures bearing on biblical interpretation that must be clarified.
l Sa 2:30: "Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: BUT NOW the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Definitely forever does not mean unconditionally. We see God's promises are conditioned by his person and sovereignty. Then we realize that IF a so called unconditional promise COULD be made it would nullify God's sovereignty -- an absolute impossibility. So any claim of this or that promise being unconditional is false. God says, "IF thou wilt...then will I." There is always an IF.
See also Jer 18:5-10, quoting 7-10, "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it not obey my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."
These words spoken to Israel were applicable to lsrael as a nation. It totally eliminates all so called unconditional promises and prophecies to Israel or to any nation. God is no respecter of persons or nations, but is just and fair to all alike with abundant mercy to all who call upon him in truth.
Hope was not blotted out despite the destiny prophesied for the carnal apostates. (lsa 5:1-14.) Any person who would repent could find mercy and blessing with the godly Remnant. (Isa 1: 16-20: Joel 2:32.) Furthermore, God promised a sure attainment of the promises of Ex 19:5-6 when he would make a New Covenant with the house of lsrael and the house of Judah. (Jer 31:31, 34-37.)
The Lord spoke of his Remnant in Mal 3: 16-17:"...they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts, when I make up my jewels." (Heb Cegulah). The same peculiar treasure (Cegulah) as at Ex 19:5-6. The same Remnant of lsa 10:22-23, and of Hos 1:10 and 2:23, spoken of by Jesus at Jn 1:11-13, by Paul at Ro 9:23-26, and by Peter at 1 Pe 2:3, 910. These who love God continually honor the Lord of that New Covenant as the Lord taught them, (Lk 22:19-20 ) and as Paul taught, (1 Co 11:23-26) for the Promised SEED gave himself for whosoever, for the Jew first and also for the Gentiles. (Ge 22:18; Jn 3:16; Gal 3:8-16, 29; Heb 8:6-13; 9:15; 12:22-28.)
Now we have moved scripturally and in boundaries of apostolic principles so far and have stepped on the toes of some holding unintended errors.
Jesus, the Impregnable Rock of the New Covenant, may not be chipped, altered, moved, obscured or ignored without disastrous consequences. His ministry was to bring this New Covenant, (lsa 42:6; 49:8; Jer 31:31-37; Mal 3:1-2; Mat 24:35,) bringing the fulness of divine revelation. (Jn 8:47; Dt 18:18-19; Acts 3:22-23.) Moses' great prophecy emphasizes that Christ would bring the fulness of the Word of God. Heb 12:1-2 is comparable to Moses' prophecy.
In Dt 18:18, God says. "I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." Then Peter declares that whoever will not hear HIM shall be destroyed from among the people. (Ac 3:23. ) And Paul says, "If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is proud, knowing nothing, destitute of the truth; from such withdraw thyself." (1Ti 6:3-5.) Consider: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Any omission or variation of his word is a departure from the Truth and the Way, and we fear, from the Life itself. (Col 2:8-9; Tit 1:9-11,14; 1Ti 3:3-4,7; 2Ti 4:2-4.)
The list of Scripture passages that are ignored, resisted, twisted, shaded, perverted, brushed by or veiled by diversionary notes is a testimony against its content in the preaching and Bible teaching of this 20th century, including the creeds and dogma on which it may seek to justify itself. Men today, as the Pharisees did, are doing these things to Christ.
When men preach a doctrine that finds no room for a full clear presentation of Mt 13:36-43 or of Acts 3:22-23, then they are committing that very sin. And when they build a doctrine that has no room for the full meaning of 2Pe 3, Ro 8:18-23 and 2Th 1:6-10, then they have built a false doctrine for itching ears. When men begin to see the truth in God's word and realize that to confess it would cost money, job, esteem or leadership, and fail to take a stand for truth, then they too have joined the Pharisees with their vested interest. Every sin mentioned here is rampant in our time.
I have often spoken against the Scofield Reference Bible notes as being an abomination and advised students against using a Scofield Bible lest their minds be affected because of the evil heresies it contains. Such statements must be substantiated or the person who makes them repudiated. Some persons are so wedded to the error and so blinded by it, that they will receive no teaching, but Jesus said, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" (Lk 6:46.) "Not everyone that saith to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Mt 7:21.)
True Bible study takes time and labor and careful faithful attention to what a writer is saying without trying to make him say what we want him to say. Teaching in the Old Testament was veiled and much could not be understood until the Messiah came. The New Testament writers remove the veil for us. They taught the whole revealed will of God. Many teachers today are teaching doctrines the Apostles did not teach and some which they thoroughly condemned.
The dispensational scheme that Scofield picked up from others divided time into seven dispensations during which time man is tested, he said, in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.
He lists seven periods of time:
In the Bible, the word oikonomia means stewardship, i.e., "Give account of thy stewardship." (Lk 16:2; 12:3; Col 1 :25.)
INSTEAD, God dealt with his people by Seven Covenants:
[SIZE=+3]ANALYZING [/SIZE][SIZE=+3]Scofield[/SIZE]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE STORY OF SCOFIELD'S LIFE
SCOFIELD NOTES ANSWERED
DANIEL'S 70 WEEKS
THE REAL ISRAEL
ORIGIN OF SCOFIELD HERESIES
Scriptures quoted from KJV
SCOFIELD NOTES ANSWERED
DANIEL'S 70 WEEKS
THE REAL ISRAEL
ORIGIN OF SCOFIELD HERESIES
Scriptures quoted from KJV
[SIZE=+2]SCOFIELD NOTES ANSWERED[/SIZE]
by CHARLES GILBERT WESTON
From the Scofield Reference Bibles 1917 and 1967 editions (Referenced as SRB 1917 and SRB 1967)
As a very young Bible school teacher I obtained books on the Christian life, principles of interpretation, doctrine and prophecy that were duly approved in "Fundamentalist" circles. Also I was given a copy of the 1917 Scofield Reference Bible. I ran into problems of squaring what they taught with what I was learning as I studied and taught the Scriptures. Now I am past 80, having studied, ministered, and taught for 64 years around the world. Many others have helped and still help me. Please hear some Scriptures bearing on biblical interpretation that must be clarified.
l Sa 2:30: "Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: BUT NOW the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Definitely forever does not mean unconditionally. We see God's promises are conditioned by his person and sovereignty. Then we realize that IF a so called unconditional promise COULD be made it would nullify God's sovereignty -- an absolute impossibility. So any claim of this or that promise being unconditional is false. God says, "IF thou wilt...then will I." There is always an IF.
See also Jer 18:5-10, quoting 7-10, "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it not obey my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."
These words spoken to Israel were applicable to lsrael as a nation. It totally eliminates all so called unconditional promises and prophecies to Israel or to any nation. God is no respecter of persons or nations, but is just and fair to all alike with abundant mercy to all who call upon him in truth.
Hope was not blotted out despite the destiny prophesied for the carnal apostates. (lsa 5:1-14.) Any person who would repent could find mercy and blessing with the godly Remnant. (Isa 1: 16-20: Joel 2:32.) Furthermore, God promised a sure attainment of the promises of Ex 19:5-6 when he would make a New Covenant with the house of lsrael and the house of Judah. (Jer 31:31, 34-37.)
The Lord spoke of his Remnant in Mal 3: 16-17:"...they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts, when I make up my jewels." (Heb Cegulah). The same peculiar treasure (Cegulah) as at Ex 19:5-6. The same Remnant of lsa 10:22-23, and of Hos 1:10 and 2:23, spoken of by Jesus at Jn 1:11-13, by Paul at Ro 9:23-26, and by Peter at 1 Pe 2:3, 910. These who love God continually honor the Lord of that New Covenant as the Lord taught them, (Lk 22:19-20 ) and as Paul taught, (1 Co 11:23-26) for the Promised SEED gave himself for whosoever, for the Jew first and also for the Gentiles. (Ge 22:18; Jn 3:16; Gal 3:8-16, 29; Heb 8:6-13; 9:15; 12:22-28.)
Now we have moved scripturally and in boundaries of apostolic principles so far and have stepped on the toes of some holding unintended errors.
Jesus, the Impregnable Rock of the New Covenant, may not be chipped, altered, moved, obscured or ignored without disastrous consequences. His ministry was to bring this New Covenant, (lsa 42:6; 49:8; Jer 31:31-37; Mal 3:1-2; Mat 24:35,) bringing the fulness of divine revelation. (Jn 8:47; Dt 18:18-19; Acts 3:22-23.) Moses' great prophecy emphasizes that Christ would bring the fulness of the Word of God. Heb 12:1-2 is comparable to Moses' prophecy.
In Dt 18:18, God says. "I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." Then Peter declares that whoever will not hear HIM shall be destroyed from among the people. (Ac 3:23. ) And Paul says, "If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is proud, knowing nothing, destitute of the truth; from such withdraw thyself." (1Ti 6:3-5.) Consider: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Any omission or variation of his word is a departure from the Truth and the Way, and we fear, from the Life itself. (Col 2:8-9; Tit 1:9-11,14; 1Ti 3:3-4,7; 2Ti 4:2-4.)
The list of Scripture passages that are ignored, resisted, twisted, shaded, perverted, brushed by or veiled by diversionary notes is a testimony against its content in the preaching and Bible teaching of this 20th century, including the creeds and dogma on which it may seek to justify itself. Men today, as the Pharisees did, are doing these things to Christ.
When men preach a doctrine that finds no room for a full clear presentation of Mt 13:36-43 or of Acts 3:22-23, then they are committing that very sin. And when they build a doctrine that has no room for the full meaning of 2Pe 3, Ro 8:18-23 and 2Th 1:6-10, then they have built a false doctrine for itching ears. When men begin to see the truth in God's word and realize that to confess it would cost money, job, esteem or leadership, and fail to take a stand for truth, then they too have joined the Pharisees with their vested interest. Every sin mentioned here is rampant in our time.
I have often spoken against the Scofield Reference Bible notes as being an abomination and advised students against using a Scofield Bible lest their minds be affected because of the evil heresies it contains. Such statements must be substantiated or the person who makes them repudiated. Some persons are so wedded to the error and so blinded by it, that they will receive no teaching, but Jesus said, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" (Lk 6:46.) "Not everyone that saith to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Mt 7:21.)
True Bible study takes time and labor and careful faithful attention to what a writer is saying without trying to make him say what we want him to say. Teaching in the Old Testament was veiled and much could not be understood until the Messiah came. The New Testament writers remove the veil for us. They taught the whole revealed will of God. Many teachers today are teaching doctrines the Apostles did not teach and some which they thoroughly condemned.
The dispensational scheme that Scofield picked up from others divided time into seven dispensations during which time man is tested, he said, in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.
He lists seven periods of time:
1. Innocence -- creation to the Fall. (Ge 2:16-17.) 2. Conscience -- from the Fall to the Flood.
3. Human government -- from the Flood to Abram
4. Promise -- Abram to the giving of the Law on Sinai.
5. Law -- Sinai to the Cross of Christ.
6. Grace -- from the death of Christ to the judgments in Revelation.
7. Kingdom -- the last of the ordered ages -- the time Christ will restore the Davidic kingdom and reign one thousand years.
This is Scofield teaching, not the Bible. He gives no scriptural authority for there is none to be given. These divisions are arbitrary and they all overlap. God made a promise in Eden of a Coming One. Adam had a conscience for he hid after he disobeyed. No one can be saved apart from God's grace in any age.3. Human government -- from the Flood to Abram
4. Promise -- Abram to the giving of the Law on Sinai.
5. Law -- Sinai to the Cross of Christ.
6. Grace -- from the death of Christ to the judgments in Revelation.
7. Kingdom -- the last of the ordered ages -- the time Christ will restore the Davidic kingdom and reign one thousand years.
In the Bible, the word oikonomia means stewardship, i.e., "Give account of thy stewardship." (Lk 16:2; 12:3; Col 1 :25.)
INSTEAD, God dealt with his people by Seven Covenants:
1. Edenic -- a charge and a test. (Ge 1:26-31.) 2. Adamic -- the entry of sin required a hope and a discipline. (Genesis.)
3. Noahic -- a new start and promise of the SEED of a woman. (Ge 6:3, 9:1-17.)
4. Abrahamic -- a series of revelations to Abraham make up the Covenant (Ge 12:1-3; 13:14-17: 15:1-21; 17:1-27; 18:1-53; 21: 1-13; 22:1-18.)
5. Mosaic -- this Covenant was written and dedicated with blood. (Ex 19:1-9; 20:1-22; 24:1-18; Dt 5:2-5.)
6. Davidic -- 2Sa 7:10-17; 1Ch 17:9-15; major portions are found in Psalms 16;22; 89:3-4, 34, 37; 110:1-4.
7. The New Covenant in our Lord. (Mt 25:26-28; Lk 22:20; Jn 12:47-50; 14:6; Heb 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 4:16; 5:9-10; 12:22-28; Ro 14:9; 10:9: Ac 2:33; Eph 4:8; 1Ti 2:5.) (From The Seven Covenants by Charles G. Weston.)
When Albertus Pieters wrote about the Scofield Bible in 1938, he said it was one of the most dangerous books on the market.3. Noahic -- a new start and promise of the SEED of a woman. (Ge 6:3, 9:1-17.)
4. Abrahamic -- a series of revelations to Abraham make up the Covenant (Ge 12:1-3; 13:14-17: 15:1-21; 17:1-27; 18:1-53; 21: 1-13; 22:1-18.)
5. Mosaic -- this Covenant was written and dedicated with blood. (Ex 19:1-9; 20:1-22; 24:1-18; Dt 5:2-5.)
6. Davidic -- 2Sa 7:10-17; 1Ch 17:9-15; major portions are found in Psalms 16;22; 89:3-4, 34, 37; 110:1-4.
7. The New Covenant in our Lord. (Mt 25:26-28; Lk 22:20; Jn 12:47-50; 14:6; Heb 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 4:16; 5:9-10; 12:22-28; Ro 14:9; 10:9: Ac 2:33; Eph 4:8; 1Ti 2:5.) (From The Seven Covenants by Charles G. Weston.)
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