Question: Your December [1997] article contained a false statement that could lead many astray: ...

Question [composite of several]: Your December [1997] article contained a false statement that could lead many astray: “For [Israel] eternal life came through keeping the Law....” It might be well to publish a correction as this statement could cause confusion.

Response: My statement was, unfortunately, badly worded. Rather, it should have said that eternal life was offered to Israel for keeping the Law. Of course, no one ever attained to it on that basis because no one could keep the Law: “All have sinned.” In fact, the Law itself contained the provision for sin in the priesthood and sacrificial system of the tabernacle and temple, all of which looked forward to Christ, “the Lamb of God,” and His sacrifice for sin. My article went on to make that clear and to state that “salvation has always been and still is the same for both Jews and Gentiles....” Therefore, as poorly worded as was that one clause, those who read the entire article would not have been led astray.