A Review of “Our Authorized Bible Vindicated,” by B. G. Wilkinson

Conflict with the Spirit of Prophecy

Referring to the atonement, the author says: “Westcott believed that the death of Christ was of His human nature, not of His divine nature” (p. 158). Again on page 217, 218 he repeats the statement in different words thus: “Catholics teach that only the humanity of Christ died on the cross, not His divine nature.” And yet a third time on page 219, “They belittle the death of Christ when they rule out the death of His divine nature.” In view of this triple iteration, and the clear implication as to the author’s position, we respectfully submit this significant statement from the pen of Ellen G. White, and leave the reader to his own conclusions: RABV 31.1

“Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God?—No: the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person,—the Man Christ Jesus. In Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and die; that would have been impossible. Christ, the sinless One, will save every son and daughter of Adam who accepts the salvation proffered them, consenting to become the children of God. The Saviour has purchased the fallen race with His own blood. RABV 31.2

“This is a great mystery, a mystery that will not be fully, completely understood in its greatness until the translation of the redeemed shall take place.” (Italics ours.)—Ellen G. White (B-220-1906). RABV 31.3

Again, on page 246 the author says that “the new theology taught that Christianity was not ‘a system of truth divinely revealed, recorded in the Scriptures in a definite and complete form for all ages,’ but that Christianity is Christ.” (Italics ours. Again we wish to place a brief but significant declaration from the pen of Ellen G. White squarely beside the contention of the writer under review, and invite the reader to once more form his own conclusion. The remarkable three-word sentence is, “Christ is Christianity.” (Gospel Workers, 282, 283.) RABV 31.4

The misuse of an expression by an opponent must not be permitted to deprive us of its proper use. The fact that Sunday observers use the term “Sabbath” to designate the first day does not deter us from vigorously utilizing it in its true end legitimate seventh-day intent, the Sunday keepers’ misuse to the contrary notwithstanding. Similarly, we must not be intimidated into abandonment of such expressions as “The Person of Christ” (pp. 19, 222) or “Christ is Christianity” (p. 246) because perverters may pour a wrong content into the words. Rather let us vigorously and independently pursue our heaven-appointed way. Our opponents have no patent rights upon specific terms. A great Fundamentalist scholar Great Britain did not hesitate to use the expression “Christ is Christianity” as the title of one of his excellent volumes. And Mrs. E. G. White says, “Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to teach.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:287. RABV 32.1

The author seeks to capture a Spirit of prophecy endorsement of the Authorized Version by stating: “Sister White seems to indicate our Authorized Version as a perfect Bible” (page 5 of leaflet accompanying book, and entitled, “The Attitude and Teachings of Mrs. E. G. White Toward the Different Versions of the Bible”). In proof of his statement the author says: “In Early Writings, 220, 221, Sister White was shown, that the Word of God was a ‘perfect chain.’ As there was no Revised Version then, may we not conclude that she pointed out the Authorized Version as ‘perfect’?” RABV 32.2

But the complete statement in “Early Writings” reads: RABV 33.1

“I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible, yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.”—Early Writings, 220, 221 (1907). RABV 33.2

What a basically different intent! The quotation has no bearing whatsoever upon versions, but deals with the Bible as a whole in any language or version. It assures us as to the essential integrity of the whole, but plainly recognizes and declares there are minor inaccuracies or changes that crept in through the centuries. How comforting and steadying this statement! RABV 33.3