The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-17

We would draw attention to one other chapter
OF this interesting volume. In which the author
examines the bearing of tho preceding facts
upon tho degree Of authority attaching to our
Christian Scriptures. At the Same time. he
considers the additional difficulties interposed
with the growth Of science and scholarship In
the way Of tho Protestant theory OF biblical in
fallibility. He points out that. although our
present scriptural canon should be proved to be
absolutely perfect. yot infallible transmits
sion would be a. essential as infalible
origin to the hypothesis for which modern CAL
vinists contend. But the fact is that the written
Hebrew in which tho larger part OF our Bible
was originally recorded was most imperfect
and indefinite instrument OF transcription. a
loose framework OF mere consonant outlines. no
vowel points having been introduced into the
text until long after Christ-probably not until
the seventh century. II we pass from copyists
to transators. from Hebrew into Greek and
Latin. and from one or another OF those tongues
into English. we cannot but concode n large
amount OF divergence from tho original sense
when we learn that the commission Of English
scholars now engaged in making new version
has already detected in tho common transla-
ton known as King Jamess" upward OF
a hundred thousand errors. Nor must
wo forget that even II we could
prove the Substantial infalibility OF one or even
u score Of the books OF the Bible. that would not
establish the claim OF the remaining works Of
the collection. There lie no way OF demonstrate
ing tue lhiallolllty OF the scriptures as whole
except ny proving the absolute trustworthiness
Oh eacn component sustained without the frac-
lure OF single INK IN all ths wo-thousand-
yearS-iong ehain OF preservation and transmits
SION moreover. IL noteworthy that there Is
no, Asihgle oook OF the Bioie wnich distinctly
claims 10 20 iniailiole. ono passage. indeed
from our popular version Is continually cited
namely All scripture Is given by Inspiration
from uod. ana Is prontaole Tor doctrine But
the original creek Is capable oil worry
oinereht translation, 10 VIII Every
Wrting whlch dlVinely inspired Is
ALSO prontaoie LOT uoculne' what IL more 20
inc purpose inc syriac' the Nuigate' nearly II
not WI tne ancient VERSIONS Clement OF Alex
"horio' lheodoret' oriRen six or seven umes
overland moeto tneOhrisuan iathers mus inter-
pFeteu the passage; ana not only does the pres
en-. roman .a.nono Dipie mus rehuer u. pu' SO
ala Wickhn Ilndai' ana the English Bible OF
1901 Inc truth Is. tnat the doctrine OF bibh-
cai lniaioility' so lar rs REGARDS the rlgid sense
IN which is suu widely heid In Protestant
countries. was unknown 70 tho early Christian
thurch. IL ala not como into existence until
the sixteenth century. ana even then was not
sanctioned by the earliest and greatest OF the
reiormers' nor mas the Catholic Church ever
adopted II.
In connection with this theme. reference ia
made 20 the testimony offered by the Bible it.
self that IL is not IN infallible record. and tho
author contrives in q few pages to condense the
piih OF Bishop Colenso's arguments. He does
not dwell on the alleged contradictions and
irreconcilable difficulties. not only in the Old
Testament but in the narrative OF Jesus life
and miniatry cxceut To nnake the ohvioua rc-
mark that these objections do not impeach the
general historical crcdibllity OF the docu.
ments. but only the relatively modern claim
OF infallibiity. The Same thing may DO
said Of tho remarkable Congregations con-
tanned in the Hebrew chronicles, as whom
a little country no larger than Wales is said to
send forth TO battle !. 100000 chosen mighty
men Of vnlor. and OF the historical mistakes
noted in the Gospel narrative. As to the scien-
tihc errors which are naturally detected in In.
creasing numbers with the progress OF ro-
search. Mr.. Sunderland thinks 1t il obvious that
disingenuous subtleties. distortions OF Ian
guage. and special pleading would not be re-
sorted to on tho part Of the so-called "har-
monizers" Of science and Scripture. but Tor the
supposed necessity Of unfolding the doctrine
of verbal iniallbiliiy in the interest. he says
OF Protestant theology. When We consider
the seli-siutiacation at which Luther would
have revoked. but which is continually prac-
tised in English and American pulpits. wo can
not but esteem it fortunate fer tho Roman
Catholic Church that IL has never planted itself
on the perfect and inyariable accuracy OF the
Bible record. To the question what is the Bible
the author holds himself justified. from this
third point OF view. in answering. with Dean
stanley that 1t is at all events not an infallible
book.
Mr.. Sunderland does not connne himself to
exhibiting the fruits Of what may DO called ag-
Rressivo scholarship and negative criticism.
His book is useful and wholesome. because
it sets forth with equal honesty and energy
both sides OF great question. After defining
the precise amount OF weight and authority as
signed by competent opinion TO the several
parts OF the Christian Scriptures. no goes on TO
mark with singular earnestness its veritabe
scope and inestimable value. He does not
deny for moment the inspiration Of
many passages in both tho Old and
the New Testament. although he is disposed
to recognize the same Divine influence. differ
ing VASTLY in degree. however. in those