Christian Evidences: Fulfilled Bible Prophecy

The study of prophecy is of perennial interest. Some contemporary readers of prophetic books, however, are so concerned about future events that they lose sight of the evidential value of fulfilled Bible prophecy. However, as the late William Foxwell Albright once remarked: Fulfillment of prophecies was only one important element in the validation of a "true" prophet. More important still was the moral and religious content of the prophet's message. Among the great men of the past who have invested untold hours in researching fulfilled Bible prophecy, there stands Dr. Alexander Keith (1791-1880). Born in Aberdeenshire, Keith entered the University of Aberdeen in 1805 and graduated with his Baccalaureate degree in 1809. By 1833, he fulfilled the requirements for and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Following his ordination to the ministry, Keith spent his remaining years as a pastor. He served the Church of Scotland faithfully and made several trips to the Holy Land while serving as a member of the Commission of Inquiry into the State of the Jews. Dr. Keith joined other loyal evangelicals in seceding from the Church of Scotland and in founding the Free Church, and on June 20, 1843, his name was removed from the role of the ministers of the established church. Dr. Keith's notable work on fulfilled Bible prophecy has been the standard treatise on the evidences of Christianity since its first appearance. "It is recognized," Dr. Chalmers said, "in our halls of theology as holding a high place in sacred literature, and it is found in almost every home and known as a household word throughout the land. "..... It is ironic that with such words of praise having been uttered by a great theologian like Thomas Chalmers, Keith's book on Christian evidences should have been almost completely forgotten. That which Dr. Keith felt led to write down for posterity, however, has been preserved. Cyril J. Barber