SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE

 

Extracted text from the image " THE NEW SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE WITH CONCORDANCE
By C. E. Carlson

The French author Alexis de Tocqueville wrote Democracy in America when he traveled to the United States in the early 19th century. In this work, he praised America's invulnerable strength and spirit, attributing its greatness to the moral sense of its citizens. Even with the abundant church attendance he observed, De Tocqueville credited America's greatness to its goodness, famously stating, "America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."

De Tocqueville recognized the power of America, but he could not have foreseen in 1830 that she would soon be under an attack aimed at her churches and the very sense of morality that he extolled.

First, there was the War Between the States, which scarred the powerful young nation in its strapping youth. A worse attack on America was to commence near the turn of the 20th century. This was the onset of an attack on American Christianity that continues unabated against the traditional, Christ-following church. This attack, which author Gordon Ginn calls "The Final Apostasy," began with a small, very wealthy, and determined European political movement. It had a dream, and the American churches stood in its way.

The World Zionist movement, as its Jewish founders called themselves, had plans to acquire a homeland for all Jews worldwide, even though most were far from homeless, and many did not want another home. Not just any land would do. World Zionists wanted a specific property that American Christians called "the Holy Land." But if these Zionists read Democracy in America or any of the journals of America's churches, which they no doubt did, they could not help but know that Jerusalem was not theirs to have. As self-proclaimed Jews, they were, according to the Christian New Testament, the persecutors of Christ and most of his early followers, and the engineers of his crucifixion. America's traditional churches in the 19th century would never stand for a Jewish occupation of Jesus' homeland.

World Zionist leaders initiated a program to change America and its religious orientation. One of the tools used to accomplish this goal was an obscure and malleable Civil War veteran named Cyrus I. Scofield. A much larger tool was a venerable, world-respected European book publisher—The Oxford University Press.

The scheme was to alter the Christian view of Zionism by creating and promoting a pro-Zionist subculture within Christianity. Scofield's role was to rewrite the King James Version of the Bible by inserting Zionist-friendly notes in the margins, between verses and chapters, and at the bottoms of the pages. The Oxford University Press used Scofield, a pastor by then, as the editor, probably because it needed such a man for a front. The revised Bible was called the Scofield Reference Bible, and with limitless advertising and promotion, it became a best-selling "Bible" in America and has remained so for 90 years.

The Scofield Reference Bible was not just another translation, subverting minor passages a little at a time. No, Scofield produced a revolutionary book that radically changed the context of the King James Version. It was designed to create a subculture around a new worship icon, the modern State of Israel, a state that did not yet exist, but which was already on the drawing boards of the committed, well-funded authors of World Zionism"

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For more study on John Nelson Darby & Scofiled Bible . 

 

 

The Scofield Reference Bible, published in 1909 by Oxford University Press, was indeed a significant and controversial work within Christian theology. The author, Cyrus I. Scofield, a former lawyer and Civil War veteran, became a minister and created this reference Bible with extensive footnotes and cross-references. These notes reflected a dispensationalist theology—a framework popularized by John Nelson Darby, a key figure in the Plymouth Brethren movement.

 

Authorship and Publication:

1. Cyrus I. Scofield: Scofield was influenced by the teachings of John Nelson Darby, a prominent figure in the Plymouth Brethren movement, and his theological views are evident in the Scofield Reference Bible.
2. Oxford University Press: The first edition of the Scofield Reference Bible was published in 1909. It has since gone through several editions, with the 1917 edition being particularly influential.

Opposition to J.N. Darby and the Scofield Bible:

1. John Nelson Darby: As a leader in the Plymouth Brethren, Darby is often credited with developing dispensationalism, a theological framework that divides history into different periods (dispensations) in which God interacts with humanity in different ways. His translation of the Bible and teachings were controversial and not universally accepted among Christians.
   
2. Opposition: Prominent Christian leaders, both within and outside the Plymouth Brethren, opposed Darby’s teachings. Figures like Charles Spurgeon, a well-known Baptist preacher, and others criticized Darby’s dispensationalism and the resulting interpretations of scripture.
3.  Charles Spurgeon was particularly vocal against the divisiveness of Darby’s teachings and the influence they had on congregations.
4.  Other non-Brethren leaders, such as B.B. Warfield, a prominent Presbyterian theologian, also criticized dispensationalism, especially its eschatological implications (beliefs about the end times).

Criticism of the Scofield Bible:

Theological Concerns:

1.  The Scofield Reference Bible has been criticized for promoting a dispensationalist view that  distorts the teachings of the New Testament. It emphasizes a literal interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies, particularly regarding the Jews' return to Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple, which is misaligns with the New Testament's teachings on the Church and the fulfillment of these prophecies in Christ.
2.  Some evangelical scholars argue that the Scofield Bible introduces a form of Christian Zionism that was not consistent with traditional Christian teachings. This form of Zionism is said to focus too heavily on the physical restoration of Israel, sometimes at the expense of spiritual teachings.

Misinterpretations:

1.  Scofield’s notes promote a dual covenant theology, implying that Jews are saved through adherence to the Old Covenant, while Christians are saved through the New Covenant, which is considered a misinterpretation of the New Testament.
2.  The emphasis on the Jews’ return to the Holy Land and the rebuilding of the Temple is seen as a misreading of Old Testament prophecies, which some believe should be understood as fulfilled in Christ rather than as future political events.

Why the Scofield Bible is Controversial Among Evangelicals:

1. Doctrinal Divides: The Scofield Reference Bible helped popularize dispensationalism in the United States, leading to significant doctrinal divides within evangelicalism. Some evangelicals argue that this focus on dispensationalism diverts from core Christian teachings and places undue emphasis on end-times prophecy and Israel.
2. Impact on American Evangelicalism: The Bible's influence has been profound, leading to the widespread adoption of dispensationalist ideas among American evangelicals. However, this has also led to significant theological disagreements, particularly regarding eschatology (the study of the end times) and the role of Israel in God's plan.

 

Given these controversies, many theologians, and pastors caution against the use of the Scofield Reference Bible, particularly if one is seeking a more traditional or mainstream evangelical understanding of scripture. They recommend careful study and discernment when approaching the notes and interpretations presented in it.

 

 More reading :
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
 The Scofield Bible—The Book That Made Zionists of America’s Evangelical Christians By Maidhc Ó Cathail

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