October 22, 2009 THE SUPREME CRITIC by Cornelius R. Stam Printer Friendly Version About 1900 years ago St. Paul wrote to Timothy, with regard to the sacred Scriptures: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim.3:16). This truth has been confirmed by overwhelming evidence, and those who have tried, through the centuries, to overthrow the Bible have been about as successful as a man trying to overthrow the Rock of Gibraltar with a pea shooter. Furthermore, the Word of God towers above the clergy as well as above the laity. The Bereans were called "noble" because they put the words of even the great Apostle Paul to the test of Scripture, to see if he taught anything con- trary to it. That blessed Book is the Supreme Critic. If we overlook vital doctrine, it is the Book that will "teach" us. If we handle the Word deceitfully, it is the Book that will "reprove" us. If we go astray in our conclusions, it is the Book that will "correct" us. Where moral questions are involved, it is the Book that will "instruct us in righteousness." Well do we remember when we were first convicted by the Bible as the written Word of God -- and we have never ceased to thank God for the blessed results. This Book condemns men as sinners before a holy God, but presents salvation free and complete through the vicarious death of Christ at Calvary. "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.