Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Faith Of Our FathersWhen we speak of the faith of our fathers, it suggestsdifferent things to different people. In this article I use theterm to describe the faith which God has revealed tomankind and which has been handed down from onegeneration to the next generation. In Old Testament timesGod spoke through holy men who were moved by theHoly Spirit. In New Testament times God spoke throughHis Son and through the Apostles. This "faith of ourfathers" is much superior to any other faith for thefollowing reasons:// Is a Biblical FaithIt is based upon the inspired word of God which isthe only infallible rule of faith and life. If it were not arevealed faith it would have very little value; because it isa revealed faith it has great value. It reveals what man is tobelieve concerning God and what duty God requires ofman. Man cannot by searching find out God; he can onlyexplore a very small portion of the universe which Godhas created, much less can he come to comprehend Godwho created all. God can and does reveal Himself to man,together with His will for man. Man needs this revelationof God's will for in a great many instances the way whichseems right to man turns out to be the way of death. It isonly when man follows the light of God's revelation thatman can keep on the right path, and when man uses therevelation as a lamp to his feet, he can keep from stumblingas he follows that light.It Is a Tried FaithIt has been tried in all ages and under all circumstancesand it has never failed. It has been demonstratedover and over that it is superior to all other faiths.History gives us many illustrations of people who haveturned from it to their hurt. Those moderns who suggestthat we discard it would do well to refresh their memoriesas to what happened to Israel when Israel said this "Faithof our Fathers" is no longer relevant to our times, andboasted that they could get along very well without it. Orwhat happened in the Dark Ages when the light of "theFaith of our Fathers" was almost extinguished. If theywould just look around them and see what is happening tothe churches which have forsaken "the Faith of ourFathers" and see the tremenduous increase in crime andlawlessness they would know how necessary" "the Faith ofpur Fathers" really is. Truly those who turn from that faithforsake the fountains of living water and hew out forthemselves cisterns, broken cisterns which hold no water.It Changes LifeIt is the power of God unto salvation. From the very•beginning that faith has transformed men. Abram wascalled to a new kind of life, a life of faith, and he was givenMAY 12, 1971What Is It? Where Is It?Rev. R. W. Caskey, D.D.Pastor of Superior, Nebraska R. P. Churcha new name of Abraham. Old things are to pass away; allthings are to become new. Man's plans to change theworld without God all fail, because they cannot changehuman nature, and that is the real problem of mankind.Through the "Faith of our Fathers" men are led to JesusChrist where they can receive the power to become thechildren of God. There can be no saving faith which doesnot transform people.Where Is It?The second part of my subject deals with thequestion where is the "Faith of our Fathers"? We differ asto whereit is. Some would sayit has been left behind; theymay admit it played a useful part in man's developmentbut is no longer needed. Some have castit aside and put inits stead a faith which is more acceptable to men, whichrequires less sacrifice on man's part and allows man to dowhatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it.It certainly is not held in high esteem in many of ourseminaries and liberal churches. There is nothing newabout "the Faith of our Fathers" not being appreciated bymen. Esau sold his portion in the faith of his fathers for amess of pottage. Judas sold his part for thirty pieces ofsilver. Demas loved the present world and did not havetime to bother about "the Faith of our Fathers." In the dayof the early church it was everywhere spoken against.Throughout history its fortunes have risen and fallen so wedo not need to be surprised ifit is not held in high honorby everyone today.We do need to know that "the Faith of our Fathers"is not on trial today. Since it is God-given we do not needto worry about its future. Since it has stood the test of theages it is not going to fail now. Man is on trial, for manneedsit desperately;it is man's only hope for today andfor eternity. One generation may reject it, but since mancannot make progress without it, man will always return to"the Faith of our Fathers."We can be sure that "the Faith of our Fathers" isheld in high esteem by Almighty God. The words of Godare true words; they are like silver tried in the furnaceseven times; there is not a particle of dross in them. SinceGod says it is the power of God unto salvation, it makeslittle difference what the world may say about it.If "the Faith of our Fathers" is in our hearts andhomes and churches, ifit is held in high esteem in ourland, we do not need to worry about the future. Ifit is not,if we have been beguiled into watering it down, or acceptingsome substitute which we are told is just as good,or mavbe a little better, we should los-Ano time in gettingback to "The Faith of our Fathers" as it was oncedelivered unto the saints.S