The Characteristics of the Bible Classes of the late Robert Boll (dated 1920)

(Taken word-for-word from a 1920 publication but put into “bullets” format)

The one endeavor in these classes is: (a direct quote; would be “was” if written today)

• To obtain a knowledge and understanding of the word and will of God.
• Being only Christians, and free from all bondage of human creeds and theories, we have unhindered access to all that God has spoken.
• No weight or recognition is given to opinions or speculations of men;
• No special effort is made to “prove” or “disprove” anything.
• Our one purpose is to hear and learn from God, and to let God speak for Himself.
• None of the students are asked to agree with anybody’s conclusions,
• But the attention of all is directed to the only source of truth, the one and only authority, the Scriptures.
• No other text-book is used.
• No religious hobbies nor peculiar views and doctrines are inculcated; no undue predominance given to any line of Bible teaching.
• The word of God will be studied with simple, honest intent and purpose, so that our faith may not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

            If only that could be the manner in which all Bible Students, Church Leaders, etc. would approach the teaching of God’s Word. Since we are each “a work in process”, why is it that we almost always insist on others coming around to our ways of thinking (or our conclusions). At age 91, I am personally still in a “learning mode” and there is rarely a day that I do not learn something new or different. (Even sometimes, the new learning changes earlier “understandings”.) (i.e. We are/were not always correct; Imagine That!)

 

submitted by Jim Rowe