Otis Q. Sellers on “fortifying,” and then examining, one’s beliefs

Otis Q. Sellers, 1920. Whereabouts unknown to this writer. Perhaps the bench he was leaning against was in a Cincinnati park. If so, maybe the statue behind him provides a clue.

In 1940 Otis Q. Sellers reviewed the approach to Bible study he had exhibited during his early years as a believer (1920-1921). It was marked, he admitted, by the tendency to study only to validate what one already believes. Today we’d call it “confirmation bias.” He achieved victory over it, but it took about fifteen years.

The following account, first made in The Word of Truth, IV:2, March-April 1940, was essentially carried over into “Early Experiences,” a section of his The Study of Human Destiny: A Testimony and an Appeal, Los Angeles, 1955, 7-12. His reverie’s homespun air contrasts refreshingly with the academic prose I’m used to reading (and, I confess, often guilty of falling into).

The Study of Human Destiny (excerpts)

It has now been almost seven years [1934-1940] since I determined that the entire subject of the nature of man and the destiny of man should be reinvestigated, reexamined, and restudied. This determination became a powerful conviction, that in turn became a consuming passion, and this has kept me steadily engaged at the task throughout the years that have passed. . . . (25)

It is now my earnest desire to lead others over the steps that I have trod, in order that they may see for themselves the things that I have seen, and discover for themselves the things that I have discovered. My reward for doing this will be to see things again for myself, to see them more clearly, and to discover things that I had not uncovered before. . . . It troubles me to hear that those to whom I once ministered the Word of God are saying that I “have taken up with some new belief.” This is not true. The truth is that the student you knew, came as a result of his studies to a place where certain inexorable facts and all their implications had to be faced. I came to a place where a decision had to be made and the results of my own studies in the Word of God had to be embraced or rejected. (25)

. . . I had not known the Lord many months before I was busily engaged preaching on the streets, in mission halls, and in churches. Inasmuch as I went from place to place, such work did not require many messages, and the half dozen that I had developed, on as many subjects, soon became very familiar to me. I was soon able to give them with all the assurance of an experienced veteran. I had no background of Biblical knowledge, but by putting together the things I did know, condemning things that were wrong, commending things that were good, adding to this some anecdotes and illustrations, I was able to satisfy that class of people who have no thirst for knowledge, but who do like to hear a lively and interesting message. (26)

This group was predominant at that time, and it still dominates the religious world today. It is this group that the average minister keeps in mind in all his study and service. They provide the character for the church today. The hireling shepherd feels it is best to go along with them. He does not permit his messages to rise above the level of their superficial knowledge. Neither does he say anything that will disturb them or cause them spiritual exercise. He excuses his own superficiality by saying that all that his people want is just the simple gospel. I remember well how I covered up my own lack of knowledge by claiming to be a preacher of the simple gospel. (26)

As I look back upon my first year of Christian experience [1920] I am both amazed and amused at how little a man can know and yet satisfy the average audience that comes to hear a sermon. . . . [I]n those few messages I had quite a bit to say about hell fire and eternal conscious torment. No hesitation was shown in declaring these things and, since they were in harmony with what the world and religious men believed, they were usually good for some resounding “amens.” It was with some satisfaction that I felt I held men over the pit until they smelled the smoke. I fear now that it was true of me that I spoke about hell with all the assurance and knowledge of one who had recently been there. I am still wondering just where all this knowledge came from. I had never been a student of the Bible, had never sat under the ministry of a Bible teacher, yet my beliefs on the nature of future punishment had already reached finality of truth. At that time I would have readily admitted that I could learn more about my beliefs. but I would not have admitted that I could learn a thing to change my beliefs. These were fixed before I ever began to study. (26)

It took no more than a year of such trifling with the service of God and the Word of God to cause me to realize its true character and to awaken an intense desire for a knowledge of the Book that I was already preaching. So, the second year of my Christian experience [1921] found me enrolled as a student in a Bible school. [Moody Bible Institute, Chicago] . . . (27)

The teacher listened with patience as these problems were rehearsed and discussed for almost an hour. . . . He stated that some of these problems had troubled theologians for many years, and reminded us that we were only beginners without the necessary background of experience required for grappling with such great questions. He stated further that a knowledge of the original languages was essential to the study, and said that many of them would clear up in the course of future studies. As a final word he warned us that, if we tried to study out these matters, we would probably end up in some damnable heresy. (27)

. . . I had gone to that specific Bible school [Moody] because it taught what I believed. Therefore, I took the notes, studied them carefully, and thus I added to my knowledge of future punishment without making a single change in my beliefs. It is plain now that I was traveling in a circle. I wanted to believe the truth of God; I believed that what I did believe was the truth of God; therefore, I believed what I believed and was quite well satisfied. (27)

This complacent state of affairs continued for about five years [until 1925? 1926?], until I found myself trying to do the work of a teacher, and discovered that I was expected to answer some of the questions and solve some of the problems that had arisen in the Bible school classroom. . . . (27)

I felt the need of fortifying my beliefs, so I secured copies of Facts and Theories of a Future State by F. W. Grant, Human Destiny by Sir Robert Anderson, Progress in the Life to Come by James M. Gray; also a number of other books and pamphlets, all of which I knew to be in complete harmony with my own views on the subject. These were carefully studied. Once again, I learned more about my beliefs and avoided the necessity of changing anything I already believed. . . . (28)

With my beliefs thus fortified, I put from my mind the difficulties and prepared some new messages on the subject, which I gave with much assurance for a time. Most ministers are satisfied with their understanding of a subject once they have one or more good messages prepared on it. This has not been, and is not now true of me. My study of a subject does not end when I have written a pamphlet on it. Neither did my consideration of human destiny end when I had a few messages on that subject. I went on to increase my knowledge of the Word of God, and as this grew I came face to face with the realization that my beliefs and messages on human destiny were not in complete harmony with the Word of God.

The conviction grew that it was my duty to begin afresh and restudy the whole subject, using only the Word of God. The task seemed so big that I hesitated. I sought to interest several friends in undertaking the labor with me, but met with no success. For some time I postponed the beginning of the work, but gave much time to meditation upon the task that was before me, trying to comprehend the nature of the problem and to find or work out a plan of action.

The question was seldom out of my mind. I knew the price I would have to pay for any change that I made in my beliefs, but finally I felt I realized the nature of the problem and began the work with one goal before me—the truth of God’s Word whatever it might be. It has been seven years of happy labor in the Scriptures and has caused continual rejoicing. (28)

The foregoing is from my manuscript on the Christian Individualist life and Biblical thought of Otis Q. Sellers (1901-1992). Please consider reading: