Speak Out
from Jan-Feb 2011 issue of COUNSEL Magazine
Warning: Avoid William Barclay's Writings
William Barclay: Are His Writings Dependable? by William MacDonald William Barclay is one of the most enigmatical writers on the religious scene today. At one moment he can delight you with his scintillating comments on the Scripture. Then in the next breath he will shock you with his unabashed heresy. He has a special gift of speaking out of both comers of his mouth. At first you are ready to welcome him warmly into the evangelical fold, but on further reading you begin to wonder if he accepts any of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. It cannot be denied that he serves up vast amounts of helpful background material for the serious Bible student. And his word studies are unforgettable. But there is death in the pot! Interspersed with all that is appealing and attractive is the poiso n of modernism and of higher criticism. If we were to use the methods of the higher critics, we could easily prove that his books were written by two or even
