Dr Thomas and Bible Study
In 1849, Dr Thomas published the book Elpis Israel, around which the modern Christadelphian body formed. The Christadelphians owe a great deal to him, and many of the books he wrote are still among the finest Christadelphian books today. He once wrote six rules for Bible studies.
Rules for Bible Studies
First: In any doctrine taught by types or shadows, the anti-type must always correspond with the type, and the shadow with the substance.
Second: In studying the Scriptures, consider that the New Testament is a commentary on the Old.
Third: Never be afraid of results to which you may be driven by your investigations, as this will inevitably bias your mind and disqualify you to arrive at ultimate truth.
Fourth: Investigate everything you believe - if it is the truth it cannot be injured thereby; if error, the sooner it is correct the better.
Fifth: Pursue this course with as much independence as if you were the only one concerned.
Sixth: Rely on no authority less than divine in so momentous an undertaking.
PROVE ALL THINGS: HOLD FAST TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.
Dr John Thomas,
quoted in Christadelphian Answers, F G Jannaway (Birmingham: 1920) p256.
