THE BIBLE AS AN EDUCATOR by G. O. Tenney

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 29, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 5

THE BIBLE AS AN EDUCATOR.

By G. O. Tenney

BY ELD. G. O. TENNEY.

DIFFERENT branches of science have been thoroughly investigated by active minds, and the results of their investigations have been given to the world in well written books. In seeking for the knowledge of this world, our attention is called to these, and long, profitable years are spent in acquiring a knowledge of their contents. When a sufficient number have been mastered by the student, the grave professors pronounce him wise, and he is thenceforward renowned as a graduate from such a university. Some go out thus equipped, with an idea that all there is to be known or learned is within their large heads, and that wisdom itself will die with them; while the true student realizes more fully than ever how little man can really know in this short life, and what an infinity of knowledge surrounds the small circle of human understanding.

The pursuit of those branches of knowledge which are within our reach is doubtless commendable, provided our motives are right. In education, as in everything else, final success depends upon the foundation principle from which we work. In all the vocations of life, in every action and word, this principle is the same. The fear of God, and a sincere desire to do good, should actuate us in all things. If any man build upon other foundation, or work from

different motives, his work will be as hay, wood, and stubble.

This principle lies at the beginning of wisdom. It is necessarily placed there, as it presents the only purpose worthy of our lives.

An education without this principle fully wrought in its foundations and interwoven into its fabric, is as worthless as the house upon the sand. The principle of which we have spoken is the substance of all morality and righteousness. It is the fulfilling of God's commands. It is the embodiment of the first and second great commandments, upon which hang all the law and the prophets.

The teachings of the Bible are but illustrations, precepts, comments, and examples of this same principle. It takes cognizance of our words, influences, deeds, thoughts, and secret impulses. It is a life-long work, to bring all these into conformity to it; but this should be the real object of our lives, and other acquirements should be secondary.

The substance of all true knowledge is given in the Bible. Though none of its writers were LL. D.'s or D. D.'s, they were men who, inspired by the Spirit of God, understood the wants of humanity, and in their writings gave us the fundamental rules of every ennobling pursuit. The moral teachings of the Bible do not appear before us as dry, abstract precepts, but are clothed in living characters. Sin and righteousness are illustrated side by side. They are traced from beginning to end, and their different results plainly contrasted. In the lives and experiences of the different Bible characters, we have every phase of human life fully set forth. The purity of God, the holiness of his law, are set forth in one portion; in another appear the weakness of the flesh and the temptations of the enemy. Then we are pointed to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.

The dangers which beset the slippery paths of childhood and youth are clearly shown by lively precepts and living examples, and although the personages brought out in the Scriptures are not as angelic as are the heroes of our story books, still they do illustrate the great good which may grow out of the wise and careful instruction of children; as in the case of Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, Timothy, and the little captive maid with Naaman. They also illustrate the evil effects of an unrestrained life, as in the case of Eli's sons, and of many others.

The surest guarantee of success in this life and of admission to eternal life, is to firmly engraft into the minds of children and youth an early love for the study, and a respect for the teachings, of the Bible. Let the great principles of love to God and love to man be held up as the only worthy object of life, and let the calling of life be chosen with regard to these principles, and the foundation of a stable character, a noble education, and a useful life, will have been laid. But few have lived more useful lives than did Timothy, Paul's son in the faith; and the apostle's commendation of his son was that from a child he had known the Holy Scriptures, which were able to make him wise unto salvation.

In the day of Judgment how foolish will appear the wisdom of this world to those whom it has led to ruin! How earnestly we should seek to gain and impart that wisdom which cometh down from above, and is revealed by the word of God!