No “Pious Fraud”

MODERN critics of the Bible argue that many books of the Bible are in fact pia fraus, a pious fraud; and this is a theory that is found on every hand. By this they mean, for example, that about four centuries after Moses the book of Exodus was written; a few centuries after Moses the book of Deuteronomy was written, and still later, after the return from Babylon, the book of Leviticus. These critics hold that the ones who wrote these books then attributed them to Moses for the sake of adding the weight of his name to their writings. The critics grant that such men meant well, were sincere, but just did not have sufficient understanding to realize that what they were doing was fraudulent.

What about this theory? It is just that, a theory and nothing more, spawned by the pride and ignorance of men wise in their own eyes. Three lines of testimony completely demolish their faithless theory.

First is the fact that there is absolutely no ground for this theory save in the minds of men critical of the Bible. It is not the result of having discovered certain facts and drawn empirical conclusions from them. No, it is merely a case of having devised a theory that suits one’s philosophy and then looking in vain for something to support it, and preaching it even though finding no support. In proof of this, note the testimony of the leading Palestinian archaeologist of the United States, W. F. Albright:

“The assumption that pious frauds and pseudepigraphy [spurious writing purporting to be by Bible characters—Webster] were common in Israel, is without parallel in the pre-Hellenistic Orient. What we find is just the opposite, a [religious] veneration both for the written word and for oral tradition.”—The American Scholar.

Second, there is the ancient, venerable and unequivocal testimony of Jewish tradition, which certainly carries weight in the absence of any evidence to the contrary. It leaves no room for any pia fraus theory regarding who wrote the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch.

Third, and most weighty of all, we have the testimony of other inspired Bible writers and in particular the testimony of the Son of God himself, Jesus Christ. These prophets, whenever they deal with the subject, unanimously attribute the books of Moses to Moses. And, let it be added, the same is true of other Bible books.—1 Ki. 8:53; Ps. 103:7; Mal. 4:4; Matt. 24:15; John 5:46.

The “pious fraud” theory, therefore, is an instrument or weapon formed against God’s people that is without success, even as Jehovah said by the mouth of his prophet Isaiah: “Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn. This is the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me.”—Isa. 54:17.

Questions From Readers

● The Watchtower, October 1, 1960, stated that the Christian congregation, when it began at Pentecost, “had six of the eight Jewish believers who were used to write the remaining twenty-seven books of the Holy Bible.” One of those not present, of course, was the apostle Paul. Who was the other one?—M. W., Indonesia.

From Acts 1:13, 14, it is apparent that the Christian Greek Scripture writers and apostles Matthew, John and Peter were present because it names all the faithful apostles. And since Jesus’ brothers, or half brothers, were also said to have been there, included also are James and Jude. There is twofold reason for believing that Mark was an early believer: First it appears that he was the young man, scantily clothed, who fled on the night of Jesus’ betrayal, because Mark is the only one who mentions this incident, and had it been another than he, he doubtless would have named him. Secondly, the home of his mother was used as a place of worship by the early congregation, which would seem to indicate that both she and her son Mark had become Jesus’ followers before his death.—Mark 14:51, 52; Acts 12:12.

This, then, would leave only Luke, aside from Paul. That he most likely was not present at Pentecost is clear from the introduction of his Gospel, for he speaks of “those who from the beginning became eyewitnesses and attendants of the message [and who] delivered these to us,” thus showing that he was not an eyewitness. Additionally, the earliest reference to Luke, but only by means of the personal pronoun “we,” is after the conversion of Saul, who later became the apostle Paul.—Luke 1:2; Acts 16:10.

● In instituting the memorial of his death and the covenant for the Kingdom with his followers, did Jesus partake of the bread and wine?—F. S., United States.

Regarding these emblems Jesus said: “Take, eat. This means my body.” “Drink out of it, all of you.” It therefore does not seem reasonable to conclude that Jesus would partake of the bread, which was representative of his own fleshly body, nor of the wine which represented his own blood. So while there is not a scripture that gives us definite information, it is reasonable and logical to draw this conclusion.—Matt. 26:26, 27.

● Are sisters required to wear a head covering when giving the third and fourth student talks in the theocratic ministry school?—D. H., United States.

No, it is not necessary for sisters to wear a head covering when giving these talks. They are not teaching dedicated males but only giving demonstrations of their own teaching ability for the purpose of being counseled. Since this is the purpose of their giving these talks and since the school is under male supervision, sisters are not required to wear a head covering. For similar reasons they would not be required to wear a head covering when taking part in service meeting demonstrations.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Watchfulness is necessary to direct our lives in such a way that we will engage in right works. Watchfulness will aid all servants of Jehovah God to find and make time in June to present the splendid Bible-study aid From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained with a booklet, on a 75c contribution.

UNITED WORSHIPERS DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES

The year 1961 will mark a new milestone in the unity of Jehovah’s servants on earth. Contributing in large measure will be the series of United Worshipers District Assemblies now completed as to arrangements. For rooming accommodations, five weeks before assembly date write the Watchtower Convention at the rooming address of the convention city nearest you; then join the thousands of other worshipers of Jehovah all six days at this grand assembly. Plan now!

JUNE 20-25: New York, New York, Yankee Stadium, River Ave. & E. 161st St., Bronx, N.Y. Rooming: 77 Sands St., Brooklyn 1, N.Y.

JUNE 27-JULY 2: Houston, Texas, Sam Houston Coliseum, Walker & Bagby Sts., Houston, Tex. Rooming: 2029 Harold St., Houston 6, Tex.

JULY 4-9: Vancouver, British Columbia, Empire Stadium, Exhibition Park, Vancouver, B.C. Rooming: 3280 Grandview Hwy., Vancouver, B.C.

AUGUST 8-13: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Fairgrounds Grandstand, 10th St. at May Avenue, Oklahoma City, Okla. Rooming: 5801 N. Shartel, Oklahoma City 18, Okla.

AUGUST 15-20: Omaha, Nebraska, Omaha Civic Auditorium, 18th & Capitol, Omaha, Nebr. Rooming: 2901 N. 30th St., Omaha 11, Nebr.

AUGUST 22-27: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Arena Auditorium, 5th & Kilbourn Sts., Milwaukee 3, Wis. Rooming: 1238 W. Atkinson Ave., Milwaukee 6, Wis.

AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 3: San Francisco, California, Candlestick Park Stadium, San Francisco, Calif. Rooming: 1619 Laguna St., San Francisco 15, Calif.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

July 9: Pursue Things Upbuilding to One Another, and Loving Use of What We Are Given, ¶1-3. Page 329.

July 16: Loving Use of What We Are Given, ¶4-18. Page 334.