In Defense of the Faith

Mr. Canright Answers Himself

We will contrast with these bold statements the following paragraphs chosen from a pamphlet on this subject published by D. M. Canright while he still regarded the law of God as holy. Let the reader note how definitely he answers himself on this subject while he was still a Seventh-day Adventist preacher. DOF 35.5

The law of God is that which should be our rule of action here, and certainly will be our rule of judgment hereafter. What is this law? And how came we by it? We learn from the Scriptures that the living God came down upon Mt. Sinai in the most terrible majesty; and there, in the presence of a whole nation, spoke this sacred law with His own voice, which then shook the earth. Deuteronomy 4:12, 13; Hebrews 12:26. DOF 35.6

This is the law of God. The Ten Commandments. Let us examine it. 1. Thou shall have no other gods before Me. 2. Thou shall not make an image and worship it. 3. Thou shall not profane the Lord’s name. 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 5. Honor thy father and thy mother. 6. Thou shall not kill. 7. Thou shall not commit adultery. 8. Thou shall not steal. 9. Thou shall not bear false witness. 10. Thou shall not covet. DOF 35.7

How simple, and yet how comprehensive! The first four precepts relate to our duty to God, embracing in short all that we owe to Him. The last six relate to our duty to our fellow men, summarily covering all our relations to one another. DOF 36.1

“Reader, if this law were strictly observed in this community, would it not produce an excellent state of society? There would be no idolatry, profanity, Sabbath breaking, disobedience to parents, murder, adultery, stealing, or lying. Who would not wish to live in such a community? This is the law for which we plead. These principles have always existed since God made man upon the earth. They were as binding upon the antediluvians as upon the Jews, and they are as obligatory now as then. DOF 36.2

“We can conceive of no nation, generation, or individual that could violate these precepts with impunity. This law is as eternal and unchangeable as the Creator. John says, ‘All unrighteousness is sin.’ 1 John 5:17. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ Chap. 3:4. Paul says, ‘Where no law is, there is no transgression’ (Romans 4:15); and, ‘Sin is not imputed when there is no law.’ Chap. 5:13. Hence, where we find unrighteousness and sin imputed to men, we know that the law was binding.... DOF 36.3

“The Bible explicitly and repeatedly declares that all these commandments shall stand forever. ‘All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.’ Psalm 111:7, 8. Again, ‘Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou has founded them forever.’ ‘Every one of Thy righteous judgments endures forever.’ Psalm 119:152, 160.” DOF 36.4

“Instead of being abolished, changed, loosened, or in any manner altered in the New Testament, the law of God is, on the other hand, confirmed and established in the most solemn manner by Christ Himself and by all His apostles. At the very opening of His ministry, Jesus said, ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets.’ Matthew 5:17. He is anxious that they should not have a wrong impression on this all-important subject. He had not come to destroy the law. This was no part of His mission. The devil and wicked men hate the law of God, and would rejoice to see it destroyed; but the mission of Jesus was exactly the opposite of this. He says, ‘I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.’ To fulfill is to obey.—Webster. (See also Galatians 6:2.) Christ came, then, not to destroy the law, but to obey it; and this is just what He did.” DOF 36.5