In an office where I had occasional business, I was talking with the proprietor. He asked my opinion in a matter of principle, and I answered: "The Bible says so and so.”
"What Bible?" he inquired sharply, almost defiantly.
"The Bible," I said, quietly but firmly.
"Mohammedans have one Bible, Buddhists another, Jews another. Which Bible do you mean?" he responded.
"THE Bible," was my response.
"Well! I suppose I know what you mean.”
That was a point gained. He admitted that The Bible was not to be put on a plane with the other books, so that he really was in no doubt on the subject. "But," he added, "I don't agree with you as to the value of the Bible.”
"I'm sorry," I replied.
"You think, I suppose," he went on, "that the Bible is God's Word.”
"Of course I do.”
"Wouldn't you like to have me believe the Bible?"
"Of course I should.”
"Well, then, why don't you try to convince me?" Just here came the answer that startled this polemic would-be disputant out of the ruts of his ordinary and self-satisfied lines of thought. He had asked the "why" at my refusal to attempt "logical proof," and God gave me this answer: "If God has failed in a half of a century, I don't propose to set my little brain at the task at this late day.”
"Why, then, don't you prove to me that God is what you believe Him to be?”
To this question also the Spirit gave an answer that must have sunk in deep, not for its arguing power, but by the sheer weight of my own deep conviction that lay behind it: "The subject is too sacred for ordinary discussion. Only one who is a true believer in God and His son can 'receive' the things of God. 'The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.' 1 Cor. 2:1414But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14).
"I wouldn't consent to discuss with you whether my mother is really my mother; yet God is dearer to me than is my mother or father. It would be sacrilege to debate this subject just to satisfy your love of argument" At this I left the office without further comment.