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We can well understand the fears of "orthodoxy" if an enquirer should turn to
Appendix 13 of "The Companion Bible". There the 754 occurrences of the Hebrew word
nephesh are tabulated and analysed. In an introduction of this list Dr. Bullinger says:
"This Appendix will exhibit all the varieties of translation; and while it is not
intended to teach either Theology or Psychology, it will give such information as will
enable every Bible reader to form his own views and come to his own conclusions on an
important subject, about which there is such great controversy."
It is such an exhibition of the facts that "orthodoxy" would smother with pious
warnings.
Orthodoxy has put many a saint of God to death, and those whose opinions we have
cited would necessarily be obliged to class Tyndale among the heretics, for he says:
"I marvel that Paul did not comfort the Thessalonians with that doctrine if he had wist
it, that the souls of their dead had been in joy; as he did with the resurrection that their
dead should rise again. If the souls be in heaven in as great glory as the angels, show me
what cause be of the resurrection" (Tyndale).
Inasmuch as both the A.V. and the R.V., together with all translations and versions
since the days of Tyndale, bear the impress of that man of God, the "orthodox" would be
well advised to warn any but those who are "grounded in the faith" against reading the
Bible at all.
May the Lord ever keep us free from the blinding power of tradition, and ever lead us
in our intentions to base all our doctrine squarely upon what is "written", leaving
"orthodoxy" to its inglorious emulation of the Scribes and Pharisees who made void the
Word of God that they might keep the traditions of the elders.