1957 Bible Studies - page 3

BIBLE STUDIES " Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were s o " (Acts 17 11).

VOLUME 25.

JANUARY, 1957.

EDITORIAL Our new subject appears to be generally acceptable : we have a very full issue this month, with some new (or resuming) contributors, whom we gladly welcome. In these circumstances a few remarks on practical points may not be amiss.  Papers should reach editors not later than 20th of the appro-priate month. This will mean that most contributors in the British Isles should post their papers not later than 18th of that month ;  overseas contributors should make generous allowance of time. Papers arriving late will be in danger of non-publication. Some papers did not indicate place of origin. This causes confusion, because postmarks are often indistinct and are sometimes misleading. It is a good plan to begin with " F r o m . . . "

It would be of considerable help to editors and printers, if writers would observe our requests on the syllabus, and specially if they would be careful not to write on both sides of the paper. Please note, too, our request as to length of paper. This month papers varied in length up to 1, 500 words ;

if a paper of this length is to appear as an extract (250 words, approximately)

the result is almost certain to be very disappointing to the senders. Finally, please write on the prescribed subject.  It should be observed that we are not making a general study of Hebrews, but of twelve outstanding subjects in the epistle, a procedure which many of our contributors desired. Longer papers tended to have much that was not on the current subject : on account of our very limited space therefore, if deletions must be made, the irrelevant must go first and such papers suffer gravely.

We forbear saying more, but ask your thoughtful co-operation in making Bible Studies a profitable magazine.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is inspired Scripture, but it also bears the mark of the man who wrote it.  It immediately impresses the reader as the work of a man of great ability writing on a much greater Subject.  Its teaching and argument are strongly coloured by the writer’s intimate know-ledge of the Old Testament writings, and hence it provides a rich and rewarding subject for study.  In thought it is deep indeed, and we would exhort our fellow-students to aim at depth of thought and understanding of the great mysteries contained therein. For there is, we fear, a tendency to superficial thought in our day, through failure to appreciate the greatness of the things that separated the present Testimony.  Superficiality may bring starvation and death. Let us be truly rooted, builded and estab-lished (Colossians 2. 7).

J. B.

It is proposed to open the pages of Bible Studies to the exploration of the truths concerning the kingdom of heaven.  It is one of the features of this magazine that studies may be made in a non-dogmatic way so that every avenue of truth may be explored, and diverse arguments may be set forth, so that in the goodness of God further light may be obtained on difficult passages of the Scriptures, with the hope that ultimately all diffi-culties may be resolved.  It has long been known that the interpretation