In Defense of the Faith
The Scriptures versus Mr. Canright
Let us briefly compare some of Mr. Canright’s later statements concerning the law with what is said of it in the Scriptures. DOF 44.3
Canright, the Baptist, after renouncing the law of God, said:
“That law is dead.”—Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, p. 331. DOF 44.4
“The letter of the law is not binding upon Christians as a coercive code.”—Ibid., p. 330. DOF 44.5
“We have something better than the Ten Commandments.” —Ibid., p. 355. DOF 44.6
But God, by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, says:
“O that thou had hearkened to My commandments then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18. DOF 44.7
David also speaks of it thus:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalm 119:7, 8. DOF 45.1
“It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.” Psalm 119:126. DOF 45.2
Solomon adds this testimony:
“The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Proverbs 6:23. DOF 45.3
Jesus declares:
“It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. DOF 45.4
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law.... Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise ass from the law.” Matthew 5:17, 18. DOF 45.5
“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. DOF 45.6
Paul testifies:
“I had not known sin, but by the law.” Romans 7:7. DOF 45.7
“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. DOF 45.8
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God for; yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. DOF 45.9
James tells us:
“Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor the law. So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:10-12. DOF 45.10
John the Beloved adds this:
“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14. DOF 45.11
Surely these patriarchs, prophets, and disciples of our Lord did not in any wise agree with Mr. Canright’s renunciation of the moral law as a guide for God’s children. Nor do his teachings agree with those of Jesus. DOF 46.1
Mr. Canright, the Baptist, declares, “The law is dead.” DOF 46.2
Jesus replies, “I came not to destroy the law”; and it will endure as long as heaven and earth remain. Paul declares that faith has not made it void. DOF 46.3
Mr. Canright says, “We have something better than the Ten Commandments.” DOF 46.4
David replies, “The law of the Lord is perfect.” And Paul adds, “The law is holy.” If a thing is perfect and holy, then nothing else can be better. A thing cannot excel perfection, for perfection cannot be improved upon. A thing cannot advance from holiness to greater purity. Therefore there is a very wide divergence here between the teachings of Mr. Canright after he renounced the divine law, and the words of David, Jesus, and Paul. Mr. Canright takes the position that the Ten Commandments have been improved upon, that we have something better. But note again that David and Paul declare the Deca1gue to be perfect and holy, and therefore not capable of improvement. It is therefore not merely with Seventh-day Adventism that Mr. Canright’s argument is in conflict but with the writers of both the Old and New Testaments, and with the Lord Himself. Surely he must have joined the class of which Jesus said, “Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the tradition of men.” Mark 7:7, 8. DOF 46.5