No movement is of God unless it gives the Word of God its true place. Luther founded the glorious Reformation on an open Bible. He emphasized the great truths of the gospel. "Justification by faith " was the mighty battle-ax of that wonderful period, breaking down superstition and idolatry, releasing multitudes from their thrall, the blessing and fruits of which remain to this day. Luther was indeed a mighty " Life-Changer," but the Word of God was the weapon he used.
Let us inquire then as to The Oxford Group Movement's relation to the Bible. The writer has read with care a number of books and pamphlets emanating from and in sympathy with the Movement, and the plain fact to be recorded is that the Word of God has very little place indeed in its literature. It is possible to find a stray allusion to the Bible here and there, but, we grieve to say, very little emphasis is laid on the Scriptures.
Emphasis is laid upon the life, and little importance is given to doctrine, in other words to the Bible. We read, "I believe utterly in F. B.'s dictum, which indeed is not F.B.'s-' Look after the Practice and the Theory will look after itself ' " (" Life Changers," p. 76).
This sentence is putting the cart before the horse. It is illogical and destructive of true living, especially in regard to spiritual things. Practice is always the result of belief. In the long run it will be seen that you cannot build securely on experience with little or no real foundation of Scripture beneath it. It reminds us of the verse, " Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up " (Psa. 129:66Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: (Psalm 129:6)).
An interested young man challenged F. B. to tell him why he could not get relief in the old way, by prayer and the reading of the Bible. He says, "He told me that I had to get into the lives of other men, and that was all there was to it" ("Life Changers," p. 'or).
What strange and unchristian advice to give to anyone seeking salvation! Of course it is quite possible that a leader here and there may emphasize the importance of the Bible, especially where such leaders have been soundly converted to God before they made acquaintance with the Group Movement.
We must judge, however, not by the exception, but by the rule. It is open to anyone to test the truth of our statement that little emphasis is laid upon doctrine, upon the Bible itself, in the literature of the Movement.
It is true that John McCook Roots, one of F. B.'s most prominent associates, writes of the Group:
" Bible study usually takes up an important part of each day " (" Life Changers," p. 174).
We may well ask, If this is so, why then does the Bible not take up an important part in its literature? The writer went to Group meetings, and in no case was the Bible read, or referred to, nor was a single copy of the sacred Scriptures seen in the hands of the leader, or in the hands of any of the young men, who thronged the place.
It is our duty not only to take careful account of what this Movement teaches, but also what it does not teach. There are vitally important matters, which it ignores, or else makes such scant allusion to, as to show little value is placed upon them.
Surely the Word of God has a supremely important and vital place in religious matters. It is our only source of information and authority in the things of God. We confess to very serious alarm as we think over this characteristic of laying little emphasis on the Bible which marks The Oxford Group Movement. No movement will stand that does not honor the Word of God, and give it the place it should have.
Let us now inquire what place new birth has in the teaching of the Movement.