The 17th century French philosopher Voltaire boasted that within 100 years of his life Christianity would be obsolete. Like many during the time of the Enlightenment he was a Deist and rejected the idea that people could know God and relate to Him in a personal way. He was prolific in publishing tracts aimed at undermining the faith of the ignorant. So the story goes, 50 years after his death the Geneva Bible Society purchased his former home and used his printing press to print Bibles. It makes for a great illustration of the sovereignty of God and has been referred to in countless books, articles and sermons. The only problem is the story seems to be based on a misunderstanding of an 1849 annual report given by the American Bible Society. Space does not permit me to explain the cause of the misunderstanding suffice to say no first hand evidence can be obtained through any Bible societies, historical societies or museums that the account is true.
Just as the story of Voltaire’s printing press has been handed down from one person to the next and assumed to be true, how many ideas have we embraced because they have been passed on to us? Even with regards to the Bible, it is very easy to accept someone’s interpretation of a passage without investigating the passage ourselves. Their interpretation may be correct, but we won’t know if we do not search out the truth. Furthermore we will gain a whole lot more as we study the Word of God personally not simply relying on others to do it for us. While God has appointed church leaders and placed mature believers around us in order to help us, He does not want us to be spoon fed.
In Prov 23:23 Solomon exhorts us to “buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Others cannot buy the truth for us; we must work for it prayerfully studying and meditating. There are no short cuts. When we purchase the truth it becomes our truth and not just a hand-me-down; it means something to us; it will not be easily given up. This is a necessary discipline along the path toward maturity.
Heb 5:12-14, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Andrew