Bible Study Guides – “Cunningly Devised Fables?”

by

July 10, 1999 – July 16, 1999

MEMORY VERSE: “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.” 2 Peter 3:5.

STUDY HELP: Testimonies, vol. 8, 255–264.

Introduction

“All who possess reasoning powers can know for themselves what is truth. Those who pray and search for light, will receive light. The reason why so many are groping their way in the fog of error is, that they take the assertions of men, instead of searching the word of God for themselves. ‘To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ Worldlings and superficial Christians will accept nothing which interferes with their selfish love of pleasure; hence they are willingly ignorant of the truth which would save their souls. Satan works with all his deceptive art to present pleasing fables before the people, and he takes thousands in his snare.” Signs of the Times, June 21, 1883.

Who Has Taught the Lord?

  1. What challenge does the Lord give to those who doubt His existence? Isaiah 40:12–14.

NOTE: “Men of the greatest intellect cannot understand the mysteries of Jehovah as revealed in nature. Divine inspiration asks many questions which the most profound scholar cannot answer. These questions were not asked that we might answer them, but to call our attention to the deep mysteries of God and to teach us that our wisdom is limited; that in the surroundings of our daily life there are many things beyond the comprehension of finite minds; that the judgment and purposes of God are past finding out. His wisdom is unsearchable.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 261.

  1. How does the Lord identify Himself? Isaiah 42:5, Exodus 20:11.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 53, 54.

  1. How is God contrasted with the other “gods” that men worship and with the wisdom of men? Jeremiah 10:10–15.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 436.

“By the Word of the Lord”

  1. How were the heavens made? Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3.

NOTE: “The theory that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence is without foundation. In the formation of our world, God was not indebted to pre-existing matter. On the contrary, all things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, are not only the work of His hand; they came into existence by the breath of His mouth.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 258.

  1. What is the source of our knowledge about God and His creation? Genesis 1:1–31, Romans 1:20.

NOTE: “The Author of nature is the Author of the Bible. Creation and Christianity have one God. God is revealed in nature, and God is revealed in His Word. In clear rays the light shines from the sacred page, showing us the living God, as represented in the laws of His government, in the creation of the world, in the heavens that He has garnished. His power is to be recognized as the only means of redeeming the world from the degrading superstitions that are so dishonoring to God and man.” Counsels to Teachers, Parents and Students, 395.

  1. How reliable a source of knowledge are the Scriptures? 2 Timothy 3:16.

NOTE: “The word of God is like a treasure house, containing everything that is essential to perfect the man of God. We do not appreciate the Bible as we should. We do not have a proper estimate of the richness of its stores, nor do we realize the great necessity of searching the Scriptures for ourselves. Men neglect the study of the word of God in order to pursue some worldly interest, or to engage in the pleasures of the time. Some trivial affair is made an excuse for ignorance of the Scriptures given by inspiration of God. But anything of an earthly character might better be put off, than this all-important study, that is to make us wise unto eternal life.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 123.

“The Days of Old”

  1. What counsel is given to those who seek wisdom concerning God’s works? Deuteronomy 32:7, Psalm 77:5, Psalm 143:5.

NOTE: “Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments, will be led to go a step farther, and doubt the existence of God; and then; having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with his statements. The idea that many stumble over, that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence, limits the power of the Holy One of Israel.” Signs of the Times, March 13, 1884.

  1. What question did God put to Job? Job 38:1–11.

NOTE: “There are men who think they have made wonderful discoveries in science. They quote the opinions of learned men as though they considered them infallible, and teach the deductions of science as truths that cannot be controverted. And the word of God, which is given as a lamp to the feet of the world-weary traveler, is judged by this standard, and pronounced wanting. The scientific research in which these men have indulged has proved a snare to them. It has clouded their minds, and they have drifted into skepticism. They have a consciousness of power; and instead of looking to the Source of all wisdom, they triumph in the smattering of knowledge they may have gained. They have exalted their human wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of the great and mighty God, and have dared to enter into controversy with Him. The word of inspiration pronounces these men ‘fools’. God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art; but when professedly scientific men lecture and write upon these subjects from a merely human stand-point, they will assuredly come to wrong conclusions. The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered . . . The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is considered unreliable.” Ibid.

“The Wisdom of the World”

  1. How does God propose to deal with the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:19–20.

NOTE: “Let believers in the truth for this time, turn away from authors that teach infidelity. Let not the works of skeptics appear on your library shelves, where your children can have access to them. Let those who have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, no longer deem it an essential feature of a good education to have a knowledge of the writings of those who deny the existence of God, and pour contempt upon His holy Word.” Review and Herald, November 10, 1891.

  1. To whom should the searcher for wisdom first seek? Amos 5:8.

NOTE: “The Creator has given abundant evidence that His power is unlimited, that He can establish kingdoms, and overturn kingdoms. He upholds the world by the word of His power. He made the night, marshalling the shining stars in the firmament. He calls them all by name. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork, showing man that this little world is but a jot in God’s creation. Should every member of the human family refuse to acknowledge Him, saying, There is no God, He would not want for subjects to proclaim His power.” The Youth’s Instructor, April 4, 1905.

“Worship Him That Made Heaven and Earth”

  1. Since no man was present to witness God’s act of creation, how can we know how creation took place? Hebrews 11:3.

NOTE: “No amount of reasoning or explanation can tell the whys and wherefores of the creation of the world. It is to be understood by faith in the great creative power. By faith we must believe in the mighty creative power of God through Jesus Christ. ‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear’ (‘are now present to the eye’). This is a matter that can be stated, but mere reasoning will never convince one of the truth of the statement. Reasoning we must have. It is one of the masterly talents entrusted to the human agent, and is of great advantage at every step we advance from earth to heaven.” Southern Watchman, April 24, 1902.

  1. Who is the final generation of mankind called upon to worship? Revelation 14:7.

NOTE: “God’s Holy Word, which has been handed down to us at such a cost of suffering and blood, is but little valued. The Bible is within the reach of all, but there are few who really accept it as the guide of life. Infidelity prevails to an alarming extent, not in the world merely, but in the church. Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith. The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the law of God, are practically rejected by a large share of the professedly Christian world. Thousands who pride themselves upon their wisdom and independence regard it an evidence of weakness to place implicit confidence in the Bible, and a proof of superior talent and learning to cavil at the Scriptures, and to spiritualize and explain away their most important truths. Many ministers are teaching their people, and many professors and teachers are instructing their students, that the law of God has been changed or abrogated; and they ridicule those who are so simple-minded as to acknowledge all its claims.” Signs of the Times, July 4, 1899.