It is currently so pressing a distortion which afflicts Christendom, that it seems best to prepare a manual for those who seek to be established in the faith, alert to the deformities being satanically prepared, sometimes now even through denominations whose past, or whose past bodies, in the event of a union, have been sound or even outstanding, and biblically grounded. Relatively extensive, this present work is for reference, and study in areas of desire or need, or comprehensive overview. Its presentation, in doctrinal position,  is exceedingly close to what would have been expected to be said by any Minister at the outset of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, in that its untampered declaration appear excellent. However it is the Bible which is the only basis of this work, in doctrine.

Reason for the faith, which the Bible presents, is given considerable attention; since reason will admit nothing else! The previous works, The Shadow of a Mighty Rock, and That Magnificent Rock, with others, have shown this. In this work, however, Apologetics is only one phase, for instruction is here paramount. Nevertheless, this aspect is constantly kept in mind.

With this coverage of doctrine and biblical truth, there is then, a provision of reason for faith, and a trumpet call to battle for the soldiers of Christ, not with swords or atomic weapons, but with spiritual ones, while the feet are shod with the Gospel of Peace. Peace in the heart, wisdom in the mind, faithfulness in the spirit of a man: these are outstanding needs (Ephesians 6, Galatians 5, Isaiah 40:26ff., 26:1ff.). It is desirable that many escape the situation where increasingly those who are in some of the now biblically distant denominations, from whom people should have come out long ago (see Section 19A in this volume), nevertheless continue because of culture, friends or custom, where they no longer belong.

An awareness of the matrix of the faith, of its resolute rationality, its sublime spirituality, its unmitigated authority, since the book of the Lord (Isaiah 8:20, 34:16) is immediately inspired by God, of the very thrust and message of the Bible, is to be sought diligently. The fact that its words are more powerful than dynamite, more constructive where faith receives them, than an atomic bomb built not for destruction but relief: these things need intimate and resolute reception.

But where is it to be found ? In many of the erstwhile Christian Churches, the Lord is as well denied as Peter ever forecast (II Peter 2:1ff.), and the arrest of the Lord’s work as genuine as Paul foresaw (Acts 20:26-29). The teeth of pagan philosophy, irrational, irruptive, destructive, is taking many seminaries, and the sheer effrontery of false christs and false teachers, this is no longer confined even approximately to the Sects (cf.  TOAN 9,10 Epilogue, Appendix - sects, politics and philosophies, their tedious, torturous tapestries).

While this situation has been developing since the early twentieth century, and its dénouements have been numerous in different lands, it is only now that the gloves have been demitted, the ecclesiastical fraud is becoming apparent to many who did not care to concern themselves with little matters like the assault on the Old Testament, then the New, then on Christ: and all of this in the church and in the name of the church, and sometimes, even of the ‘Lord’.

It had to be; if it had not been, then the Bible would have erred for it has laid truly enormous stress on just these developments, coming to their awful culmination just as the Age comes to its consummation, and the return of the Lord draws near (cf. Answers to Questions Ch. 5). The Bible does not know error, and the counsel of God, duly proclaimed from of old, makes contemporary reading as it is fulfilled.

While, however, it is being fulfilled, work must be done, both to teach and to learn. In view of this fact, this volume is presented in the hope and expectation by faith, that it will be used to help rescue many, train others, stir many to their vast responsibilities as Act V, Scene V comes into its final spotlight. Keep the Lord in your spotlight, and know that, if you are His, His light is on your path, which moves upward to the coming day.