The Credulity Of Unbelief

On this page in October last we drew attention to certain statements by a Cambridge vicar on the nature of our Lord's humanity, and to the rejoinder by the Dean of St. Paul's who said that it may not be long, in view of the contemporary mood, before someone suggests that our Lord was a drug addict!

Shortly after this prophecy by the Dean an article in a daily newspaper gave an account of an interview with Mr. John Allegro, who lectures in Old Testament studies at Manchester University. Mr. Allegro, we are told, is shortly to publish findings which will trace the roots of Christianity to "a phallic, vegetation, drug-taking mystery cult we none of us would want anything to do with". When asked by the reporter if he was suggesting that the prophets used the drug LSD, he replied, "Yes, indeed, or something very much like it. They had visions. They went on a trip." In the article under review the reporter gives the information that Mr. Allegro is no theologian, though he began to train for the Methodist ministry and preached the Gospel from many pulpits before he rejected religion. It is as an "agnostic philologian" that he is listened to with respect because of his researches into the Dead Sea Scrolls and their related literature. Mr. Allegro went on to make the astonishing assertion, "The origins of Christianity can now be seen against the pattern of this vegetation cult, which involved the use of drugs. Its priests and prophets were dope-pushers, if you like, but only within their own groups. Probably they only had the secret. Either with drugs or through fasting-which gives much the same effect-they went off on a trip and then came back." He then went on to say, "There is no Jesus, or Joseph or Mary left. You are dealing with myths".

So much for Mr. Allegro. It is no part of our business to defend the Bible. Spurgeon's well-known comment, "Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion," is appropriate here. The historical foundations of Scripture are secure and have survived every assault throughout the centuries. Their divine origin is selfevident. We need have no fears of the vapourings of "learned doubt". Cecil Belton's lines come to mind:

"... neither 'modern thought' nor ancient flame

Can shake its truths-it still remains the same,

Firm as a rock amid the seething waves,

Against it vainly man or demon raves.

Each futile blow but proves how well 'tis based,

And shows the Christian's trust is not misplaced."

If the attack on Scripture by Mr. Allegro is astonishing, more astonishing is the tendency of many who pride themselves in their rationality to give credence to theories so absurd and irrational as this. It must surely be identified with that "working of error" which will become more prevalent as the end-time approaches (2 Thessalonians 2.9-12).

It is a sobering reflection that a year of time marks for us all an important fraction of the span of life on earth which has been entrusted to us by God. As the present year moves to its close it may be profitable to enquire, What use have I made of 1967? Moses, the man of God, whose life was marked by clearly defined phases of divine preparation, and then of fulfilment of his high mission, wrote, "We bring our years to an end as a tale that is told" (Psalm 90.9). Each year for him was necessary and important to his total span of life. His failures, as well as his triumphs, played their part in the warp and woof of a life of outstanding achievement in the service of God. The use we have made of this year of time will be reflected in our spiritual make-up. Has this been a year of gain or loss, of progress or retrogression? Let each of us examine his spiritual balance-sheet and review in the presence of God a year's results from His dealings with us. Spiritual stocktaking is important and necessary at times. Where there has been failure on our part let us seek divine grace to repair it, and let us face a new year, if the Lord will, with renewed resolves to use life's opportunities to the full and to be "a vessel unto honour sanctified, meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2.21).

In world affairs this has been a historic year. From the point of view of the prophetic word, the six-day conflict in the Middle East and the occupation by Israel of the old city of Jerusalem were events of great significance. 1967 will stand out in Jewish history as a year of great achievement. As the year closes, in spite of much political manoeuvring at the United Nations, no early solution of Middle East problems appears to be in sight. What 1968 will bring no one can foresee. But whatever developments take place there, they will be in full accord with the prophetic word. It is evident that events are moving towards the final phase of the times of the Gentiles. The stage is being set for the coming of Antichrist who will be the last great persecutor of Israel before the setting-up of the Messiah's kingdom.

There are other indications of the approaching end of the age. Events are moving on at bewildering speed. The advance of the ecumenical movement, the increasing activity of cults with their destructive heresies, and the prevalence of spirit seduction (1 Timothy 4.1) are all pointers to end-time conditions. In such a climate as this the maintenance of collective testimony in churches of God becomes ever more difficult and indeed will be impossible apart from the enabling power of the Spirit of God. We dare not trust our own impulses or emotions. We must not allow our loyalty to God's word to be undermined by "experiences" claimed by others. Nothing can be of God which is clearly contrary to His word. We must hold fast to God's word, it has been the sheet-anchor of the faithful in all generations. We must walk by faith, not by sight. Only thus shall we be preserved amid these dangers:

"By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the

paths of the destroyer" (Psalm 17.4, A.V.).

unknown | Dec 1967
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