Torch, Spring 1987: Centennial Issue

'ord of God. •• ') Today, it seems that more and more people are committed to less and less . In contrast, Cedarville College stands committed to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. This commitment is found in the school's doctrinal statement: "We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, embracing all matters which the Biblical authors address, and believe that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life." The foundation of this statement is the fact that God is "a God of truth ... " (Deut. 32:4) and cannot lie (Tit. I:2). God unequivocally states that His Word is "perfect" (Ps. 19:7). This term speaks of that which is complete, wholesome , sound, and thus free from all defect or blemish. Again in Psalm 19:7 He states that His Word is "sure," a term that describes His Word as definite, decided , and infallible. Also , God's Word is eternally "firm-standing" (Ps. 119:89). Indeed, could there be any better guide to which a Christian college could be committed? The Bible is very explicit in verifying its worth. First, it is perfect because it is inspired ofGod. In writing to Timothy, Paul taught that Scripture, all of it, is "God-breathed" and therefore profitable (2 Tim . 3: 16). "God-breathed" is a word that speaks of God 's creative power and points to Scripture as a divine product. Second, it is perfect because its human authors were Spirit-moved. Peter indicated that Scripture originated , not in the mind or will of men , but as "holy men of God" were being "moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet . I:20-21) . The Greek word translated "moved" has the idea of picking up and carrying an object. This same word is used in Acts 27: 15 ,17 of a ship that was "driven" or controlled by the wind . Peter is telling us that the writers of Scripture were so "driven" or controlled by the Spirit of God that what they wrote was kept from error, and is therefore infallible and inerrant, even "more sure" than Peter's own eyewitness account of the transfiguration of Christ (2 Pet. 1: 16-19). Third, it is perfect because it cannot be broken . In answering a charge of blasphemy leveled at Him by unbelieving Jews (John 10:33-34), Jesus quoted a passage from the Psalms. He referred to this quote as "scripture," "law," and "the Word of God ," and reminded these Jews that "the scripture cannot be broken" (John I0:35) . This statement reflects Christ's attitude toward the Old Testament and its authority. To "break" Scripture would be to destroy , annul, or abolish it . To find even one error in the Book that claims to be God's Word would annul its authority and destroy its validity . Jesus emphatically declared that it is not possible to destroy Scripture. God's Word is perfect! Some evangelical Christian educators today are denying that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant , authoritative Word of God . They believe the Bible is trustworthy in matters of faith and practice, but not in matters of geography , history, and science. We - the trustees, administrators , faculty and staff of Cedarville College - believe otherwise . This Book to which we are comrnited is not almost right. It's always right! It's not relatively accurate , it's reliably authoritative! Beloved, in what do you place your confidence these days? In your family? In your business? To what are you committed? I heartily recommend to you the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Dr. James T. Jeremiah In 1953 James T. Jeremiah was instrumental in the transfer of Cedarville College to the Baptist Bible Institute. When he left a successful pastoral ministry in Dayton, Ohio, to take up the reins of leadership at Cedarville Col– lege the following year, he carried with him his commitment to the Word of God. The Bible has been the light of his life throughout his years of ministry. A man of vision and a deep, abiding trust in God, Dr. Jeremiah guided the college through the early years of rebuilding under the Baptist administration. By his own example he motivated the college family and friends to give sacrificially of their substance, their physical labors, and their prayers that the college might gain stability and respect. During Dr. Jeremiah's 24-year administration, the college en– rollment increased from 100 to 1250, buildings from 8 to 37, acreage from 15 to 180 and total assets from $325,000 to $9,700,000. Thousands of young people received an education grounded in Scripture and went forth to serve Christ in a multitude of ministries - missionaries, pastors, educators, business people. When he assumed the role of Chancellor of the college in 1978, Dr. Jeremiah was able to devote more of his time to promoting Cedarville in churches and con– ferences - a ministry he thoroughly enjoys. Under Dr. Jeremiah's leader– ship Cedarville College has remained firmly committed to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ and has enjoyed the blessing of God. "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart." Ps . I 19:2 13