The Fundamentals - Torrey - XXX - Chapter 7 (Life in the word) commenced

Required reading
The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 7 (Life in the word) by reading up to the heading 'VII. The Bible is a discerner of hearts'.

My summary
Today we begin a chapter by Mauro.  He sums up the purpose of the chapter with the words: '...it is manifestly of the very highest importance to insist unceasingly upon the sufficiency, finality and completeness of the Revelation given by God in His Word. With the desire to serve this purpose, even though it be in a very small degree, these pages are written.'

Mauro achieves his purpose by beginning to prove that the word of God is living. 

Initially he shows that the Bible is alive from a collection of Scriptural quotes.

Then after defining 'life', Mauro starts outlining characteristics of the Word that demonstrate it is alive, such as the Word's:
(i) perennial freshness;
(ii) resistance to become obsolete;
(iii) indestructible nature.

What grabbed me
Mauro gave a a good discussion on why people hate the Bible: 'Again, the Bible is hated because it claims the right to exercise, and assumes to exercise, authority over man. It speaks as one having authority. It issues commands to all. It says, "Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not." It does not simply advise or commend one course of action rather than another, as one would address an equal, but it directs men imperatively what they shall do, and what they shall not do. In this manner it addresses all ranks and conditions of men kings and governors, parents and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants, rich and poor, high and low, free and bond. In this, too, we have a characteristic of the Bible which distinguishes it from all other books. It is no respecter of persons. But for this cause also it is hated ; for men are becoming more and more impatient of all external authority. The principles of democracy, the essence of which is the supremacy (virtually the divinity) of man, has thoroughly leavened, all society in the progressive nations of the earth. There is a sentiment abroad, which finds frequent expression and meets always with a sympathetic reception, to the effect that man has been shackled through the ages by narrow theological ideas whereof the Bible is the source, and that the time has arrived for him to throw off this bondage, to arise in his true might and majesty, and to do great things for himself.'

No one likes authority - including authoritative books.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 7 (Life in the word) by reading up to the heading 'X. A life-giving word'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.