Exploring God's Oracles

If this book seems to be a collection of a variety of subjects which are not particularly related to the other elements in it, you are correct. It was planned that way. This enables an individual or a group to study a specific section without feeling the entire book must be reviewed to get the significance of the chapter being considered.

After preaching for over 15 years, and then teaching in a Bible College for over 15 years, there should be a degree of maturing in a variety of ways. Ideas that were once hazy tend to assume definite form as they are considered again and again. As one’s research gains breadth as well as depth, his ability to grapple with technical problems should be enhanced. And as parishioners and students confront one with the same problems over and over again, a person gets the idea that many people are bothered by these same problems.

Over and over again the author has been asked to explain about Christ going to hades. Others ask, “What is the sin against the Holy Ghost?” Many are concerned about marriage and divorce. Those who are dealing with Calvinists desire help regarding the relationship of good works to one’s salvation. Others wonder about petting. All the questions a professor or pastor is asked repeatedly could not be answered adequately in a single volume, but several of the more important and oft repeated ones are contained in this book.

It is anticipated that pastors will use this as a resource book to clarify their own thinking in certain areas. They should keep a copy or two in their library to lend to persons who are seeking help on questions that are answered in this book. The sermon outlines can be studied in group situations, or used as bases for your own sermon or sermons. A Wednesday night study on marriage and divorce should be profitable to any congregation. Every Christian should study the chapter on the sin against the Holy Ghost. One never knows when he may have to deal with one who has not committed this sin, but has been led to believe he has through Satan or erroneous teaching. Every pastor and church leader who is not already knowledgeable regarding Masonry should read the chapter which deals with that institution. Many Masons are unaware of the pagan foundations on which Masonry is built, hence it is no wonder that the public at large are without adequate information about this body. One must know Masonry thoroughly to be able to deal successfully with Masons.

There is reason to believe that many people reject two works of grace, or the removal of the adamic nature in the second work, because of the tendency to confuse the adamic nature with the natural instincts and drives of the physical organism. Especially is this true regarding anger and sex desire. Anyone who does not have a clear concept of the differences between pure, sinless human nature and the carnal nature should study chapter 10 until these distinctions become clear to him. In sanctification carnality is removed but the human nature remains.

A copy or two of this book should be in every church library, both as a resource book and as a source of knowledge for the inquirer. It is hoped that our youth will be directed to the chapter on marriage and divorce as well as the one on the dynamics of family life. Too many enter marriage rather casually. Courtship is fraught with dangers. These dangers often are not spelled out to our youth. Too many do not have the information they ought to have. Married couples should also profit by these chapters, especially if there is tension between them, or if they are considering divorce.

This book has been copyrighted to protect against improper use of its contents. But this is not intended to completely prohibit the duplication of portions of it for congregational use. Should a pastor wish to mimeograph one of the sermon outlines so the congregation could follow as he preaches and then study more meaningfully afterwards, the author will be more than pleased to grant such permission. Or possibly the chapter on the nature of carnality, or regarding divorce and remarriage, might serve well as a guide for Wednesday night study. Address communications to the author’s Year Book address or to the address on the flyleaf of this book.

Many people have assisted in one way or another in bringing this volume into existence. Dr. Gene Miller and Rev. Walter M. Doty were most helpful in reading the material and offering valuable suggestions, many of which were incorporated into the text. Expressions of appreciation are also due Dr. Donald Smith for helpful suggestions, and to Dr. Max R. Gaulke for reading several chapters and offering suggestions regarding them.

This book has been written from a desire to please God and benefit man. It is felt that the urge to write this volume came from God. Now that it is in print, it is sincerely hoped that God will use it for the purposes he had in mind. It is hoped that each reader will read it prayerfully and meditatively, in order that God may get the message to you that he desires you to receive.

Earnestly and prayerfully yours,

Everett I. Carver.