, 1875-05-09
INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE.

- the EdtfsT ef Ths Chicago TRIBUNE:
With all ths books which haye been written
about the Bible. there seems tn be no definite
5ea in the mind Of most believers to rhat is
meant BY its inspiration. There are mountains
OF commentaries treating Of occult meanings, Of
separate passages but great lack OF smp}i6sd
and general views Of the whole collection, OF tbs
books contained ia it.; and, by calling the atsan-
ton Of Biblical scholars ia some OF the difficult
ties which have presented themselves Ia one
earnest seeker after truth. I. shall hope to
bring cut. for the benefit Of the unlea1ned, the
hot thought Of some Of those diyinss who do not
hesitats to avail themselves Of the seoular press
TO spread knowledge Of the truth
Ttks, ffst, the question Of wealth, OF worldly
protperity, aud note tha teachings OF the Bible
On this head. Is not the central idea OF the
rbole Jewish system "oorn and wins z
Through ali tho books Of the Pentateuch, the
leading dogma is, that wealth and power are the
rewards Of righteousness. The man who obeys
God is to be rich, and great, and powerful, ~
reward OF his obedience while the sinner tB to
be punished for his Gin bJ poverty and tbs loss
Ut liberty and children. The entire Law OF
Moses, from beginning to end, ID founded on
this central idea Of reward and punishment ID
this life and in this life alone. ThHre is no hint
Of 4 herenfter. HeaEen aud He'll vera alike M
twenty centuries, this central doctrine OF Uha.
ne hare been taught to believe vas then tbs
only Church on earth was that d mans accept
auce with God could be accurately measured by
the e1tent OF his lands, number OF bus children,
wives, servants, cattle, and silver coins and the
height OF his honors. True, there we're doubt
era Of whom David seems to have been the
first. He vas = philosopher, and. looking on
sons Of tho prosperous men Of his dsE, pro
nonnced them ' wicked eVen though they
0doufished * like green bay tree" The discov-
erT seems to have unsettled his faith !; for be
SAYS, My feet had we'll nigh slipped.' He
doubted his standing ground. and not until he
swant into the house Of God" and got pew
revelation, was he able to - vinuicata the Ways
matter how prosperous, :" stood on slippery
places :" but, even then, he seems to hare felt
that their punishment was to come IN thus llte
OF all the 01d-Testament writer's. the author
OF ap1anueneis OF Job alone seems to nave had
def}nite idea Of what we now regard IA truth. df
what Christ taught as such. viz: That ca1ami-
.ties are no eyidence Of Gods displeasure. The
eighteen upon whom tho tower of Sloan fell
we're not sinners above others who dwell IN
.JerneAien, and Christ, ID teaching this. wss M
aid dogma. Which bore to the Mosaic system the
name relation that salvation by faith alons now
bears to tho teschipgs of Paul
Not. the God that made this universe ia ono
f4nH Even regarded as 4 l11nltJS u6 10 D pHI-
feet Unity. There is, and can be, no daacord BE-
tween Father, Son, and Spirit, anF more than
between In6uite Power, Love, and Justice and
how docs it come that He whose indisputable
works arc 80 full Of harmony should havs re-
yeaiel . system Of religion 1T one time 80 con-
tradictory to that which was to follow it !? T."
How can it be that tbs same God shonld, Tor
centuries and centuries, teach as truth that
which He occupies al tho succeeding centuries
IN contradictinE
How is it possible that tbe same God taught
that wealth WAS the sign OF His favor, and thRs
alt is easier for g camel to 60 through the eys
OF needle than for rich man to enter into tho
Kingdom OF Heaven
Let any one compare the theology OF Moses |
With that of Christ On this one point, the signif
cance at wealth, and attempt to reconcile !
them as the work Of the same author. the or |
spring Of the same spirit. To mo the taak has |
long been hopeless on any other hypothesis than |
anhlhilation Of the great mass Of the people who
lived in Ill the ages preceding the coming Of !
Christ. cannot believe that the Creator who |
endowed tho smallest anl1ns,cule with al the |
faculties necessary to lts welfare, and who ac- !
complshes the most sublime results BY tho SIM
plest means, did ever make the parade we read /
Of in the Old TeataZueat IN order 10 teaoh I'm /
mortal beings that He would give them plenty to !
eat If they kept all His commandments, but |
would Tlsit them With famine il they dtsobeSe3 |
!: OF what consequence uas sheir entn md Ntn4 |