The Christadelphians
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.
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.
Andrew McFarland
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Last updated 11 February 2000