New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-01
PROFESSOR FISHERS ESSAYS.

ESSAYS ON TIE rUIERNAy URAL ORI3lN OF
CHRISTIANITY. Ply Rev. GIoEGE L. FISHER, III. A.
gvo. Up SOC. Charles Scribnrs a Co.
Although this work is given 70 tie public undo.
the modest title Of essays, it in fact contains Il
systematic discussion Of several Of the most
important topics which are now at issue between
the leading schools Of philosophy and theology.
The results Of thought and re,edrcb which it pre-
sents ore Of far richer material and more signii-
cant import than are indicated by the professions
| of the author His main design is to consider the
positions, with regard TO the origin Of the Gospels,
If the TGbngen school of historical critics repre-
scented By DR.. f. c. Daur, but he does not fail TO
present large and comprehensive yindicaton Of
the credibility Of the New Testament, from Z moro
general point Of view.
The first essay in the volume Is devoted TO the
nature Of the conflict Of Christian faith With mod.
ern skepticsm and unbelief. According to Professor
Fisher, in cOntrast with former ages, unbclief is
oftcner now infection than villful and positive
antagonism. The spirit Of the old infdelity was
coarse ard bitterly hostile to Christianity; depend
ont ON railing rather than OF reasoning; with it'll
historical knowledge and comparatively destitute
of learning and refinement. With some exceptions,
able improvement. They are more courteous aud
gentle in expression, possess greater variety o.
learning, and often betray the influence Of humane
and noble sentiments. On this account the strength
Of the nfdcl party at the present time is moderated
by many Christian teachers. They are not awake
TO tho subtler form which sEepticism has assumed.
They have failed to perceive that large number Of
the leaders of opinion ON secular subjects are cd
herents of the skeptical school in religion Pro-
lessor Fisher might have added that the most
plausible ard perhaps the most effective assaults on
the received ideas Of revelation have come not from
the ayowed enemies Of religion and the Church, but
from writers claiming to be their fficncs.
The principal question at stake in tho conflict,
Professor Fisher maintains is not tho inspiration
OF the Scriptures. The relation Of human agency
TO divine agency in the production Of the Bible Is
Of subordinate importance. TIE fact Of inspiration
has weight chiefly as presenting guaranty for the
authority Of the Scriptures. If they wero ezclu-
sively the work Of man, but attended with divine
sttesta;ion TO The truth Of their contents, the main
esd for which inspiration is thought necessary
would be attained. The rlost discerning thcolo-
gians OF the day who arc dissatisfied with the old
formulas concerning Inspiration still hold TO the
cardinal Protestant principle of the authority of the
Bible.
The nine succeeding essays are occupied with the
gcnuineness of the Gospels and other books Of the
New Testament, including critical examination
Of the theories Of Baur, Strauss, Renan, and Theo-
dore Parker. The views of Strauss are held TO be
untenable from the fact that ,hcy canno, account
fox tho belief Of me Apostles and VI Jesus himself