Views: 1<\/p>
[Note:\u00a0 <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong>\u00a0 page.<\/span><\/p>\n Priscilla Jane Owens (1829\u20131907) penned several hymn poems, among them, \u201cGive Me the Bible.\u201d She wrote these lyrics in the 19th century before it became popular\u2014even among theologians\u2014to debunk, demote, and attempt to destroy the authority of Holy Writ.<\/p>\n Near the end of her hymn\u2019s refrain, Owens summarized the basic character of Scripture: \u201cPrecept and promise; law and love combining….\u201d In these few words, she captures the essence of the Word of God. It is a book of precepts\/commands from our Creator along with loving promises for both our present and future lives. The Bible combines Divine Law with incomparable love for all mankind. To this truth we now turn our attention.<\/p>\n Growing numbers (again, including theologians) of those living in the Western world have been influenced by naturalism, humanism, and Darwinism over the past century and a half. Correspondingly, they gradually, but certainly, have lost their faith in the Bible as God\u2019s Word. Contrary to Owens\u2019 song title, their theme has been, \u201cYou <\/strong>Take the Bible\u201d (for we don\u2019t want it).\u201d The \u201crespectable\u201d infidels (AKA \u201ctheologians\u201d) dared not launch a frontal attack on the faith of those in the pews. Rather, they have slyly advanced their antinomian (i.e., anti-law) dogma. Such averments as under Christ no spiritual law exists<\/em>, grace excludes law, The Old Testament was law\u2014the New Testament is grace, we are saved by grace\u2014not by law<\/em>, became the theme of thousands of pulpiteers. Consider only two of the many problems with this assertion:<\/p>\n No mere man will perfectly keep God\u2019s law. Sin\u2014violation of God\u2019s law (1 John 3:4)\u2014creates the need for God\u2019s grace and mercy if men are to be saved (John 3:16;<\/p>\n Eph. 2:8\u20139; Tit. 3:5). The Gospel is God\u2019s perfect combination of law and love<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00a0[Note: <\/strong>This article was written for and published in the Denton Record-Chronicle, <\/em>Denton, TX, March 20, 2015.]<\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner, curator, and administrator.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note:\u00a0 This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1\u00a0 page. Priscilla Jane Owens (1829\u20131907) penned several hymn poems, among them, \u201cGive Me the Bible.\u201d She wrote these lyrics in the 19th century before it became popular\u2014even among theologians\u2014to debunk, demote,…<\/p>\n\n