IN YOUR SEARCH FOR ANSWERS . . .
These are troublesome, but quickening, times. There is fear, but there is also the faith. There is uncertainty, but there is, as an old song says, “an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll.”
There are questions that remain unanswered and everyone, it seems, is talking about it. Even a sportswriter in the local newspaper made the following comment: “The more I talk with folks about the ongoing implosion of American society and the continued pandemic, there doesn’t appear to be a lot of answers currently available.” Of course, at times it may be the case that some of us are asking the wrong questions. In his little book on grief C. S. Lewis says “half the questions we ask—half our great theological and metaphysical problems” are what Lewis called “nonsense questions.”
Could it be the case that the true answers to the most important questions are available, but many do not know where to go to find the available answers? Nearly fifty years ago I saw a brief message on a bulletin board in the reception/waiting area of a doctor’s office. It was a powerful message then, and it remains powerful. Some may think the message is out of place in our politically correct culture, especially in a doctor’s office.
IN YOUR SEARCH FOR
ANSWERS TO GUIDE YOUR LIFE
CHECK OUT THE YELLOWED PAGES
OF GOD’S WORD
Was this message actually posted in a medical doctor’s office? Yes! And, it was hand printed and initialed (W. B. B.) by the physician himself.
The doctor, W. Bernard Bice, M. D., opened his family medical practice at 1019 Garfield Avenue, Parkersburg, WV, on 6 February 1976. Prior to this, he had practiced elsewhere upon graduation in 1968 from West Virginia University School of Medicine. In 1991, a second physician, Terry W. Capel, M.D., having graduated from the same medical school in 1984, joined Dr. Bice, and the two physicians partnered in the practice of family medicine under the guidance of the great physician, Jesus Christ. Bice and Capel have a combined licensed medical experience in excess of 80 years. They are two of West Virginia’s finest. They are a tribute to their families, their community, their noble occupation, and their high calling as Christian servants.
The above message remained publicly displayed on the bulletin board of the medical office occupied by these two doctors until the office officially closed December 2019. Through parts of five decades, I have read and reread this message and given much thought to it. It is a reminder of the greatness of the Bible—the eternal relevance which it possesses. I wonder how many hundreds of people have read the above message as they waited to see these two doctors. Perhaps as the patients read the message, they were deeply concerned about their own physical condition, or the condition of a loved one with whom they were waiting anxiously; perhaps even facing the news of a terminal disease or some other life threatening situation. Only God knows all the details in the lives of the countless number of people who may have read this message. The Bible says, “When the cares of my heart are many, your comforts cheer my soul” (Psalm 94:19, ESV).
I heard of a university professor who was telling an audience about a book in whose preface were written these words: “The purpose of this book is that, being read, it may read you.” Of all books, the Bible does this in exclusive fashion. As one reads the Bible, and thinks deeply about it, he will see how the Bible reads him. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Such describes the living power of the written (inscripturated) word of God. It is the powerful handbook of life. It is the instruction manual from the Creator. It is divine authority (cf. John 10:35). It has its origin in God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:14-17). It possesses properties that prove this is the case. It probes, pricks, prognosticates, prescribes, preserves, and promises.
Science generally, and medical science in particular, bless us in so many ways. Surely, we are reminded of this as we observe the doctors, nurses, and all health care workers on the front lines of battle in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic. These medical science warriors are great heroes. However, science does not have the answers for the deep problems of the human spirit. Science cannot remove the sin and guilt that stain the soul of man, nor bind up a broken heart, soul, and life. Science cannot take the gloom out of the grave or provide hope that is steadfast and sure.
One must go to the Bible to learn the answers to life's most important questions. These answers are found ultimately and exclusively in the written revelation of "Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
Charles C. Pugh III
Executive Director