The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-21
From the Herald and Presbyter.
The New Criticism.

No action of the late General Assem-
bly, was more important or timely, and
more heartily adopted, than the fifth
resolution of the report of the Committee
on Theological Seminaries, solemnly
warning our theological teachers against
current errors in doctrine, philosophy
and exegesis. We reprint the resolution,
which is as follows
In view of the crude and dangerous utter
ances Of many of the secular and religious pa
pers, periodicals and books, and of some of the
pulplts of the land, resulting from the introduc-
tion and prevalence of German mysticism and
higher criticism, and of philosophical speculation
and so called scientific evolution, and in view
OF the alarming defections from the faith of the
gospel, both in this country and abroad. and
which seriously threaten our own beloved
Church, and in view of the fact that the re-
yealed word of God, the Holy Scripture. is the
only lntalllble rule of faith and practice and
therefore, the only hope of mankind. vour com
mlttee recommend that this Assembly, in the
name Of the great Head of the Church, solemnlv
warn all who give instruction in our theological
semlnaries against intoxicating any views or
adopting any methods which may lead to unset
tie faith IN the doctrine of the divine origin
and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures held
by our Church, or in our Presby terrain system
of doctrines, either by ignoring or depreciating
the supernatural element in divine revelation,
or by eXatlng human conjecture and specula.
ton above historical and divine facts and truths
or by applying hypothesis of evolution, unver1,
hed and incapable of verifcation to the word
of the living God
The Senior Editor had left Springfield
before this action was passed, and, in
deed, before it was reported to the AS
sembly. We knew, however, that the
brethren were generally much concerned
on the subject, and eager for a deliver
ance, and that something was expected
before adjournment. The older men, es-
pecially, were very emphatic in express,
ing their fears lest our Church, in the
near future, should have the same con-
liict that Robertson Smith had for the
last half dozen years inflicted upon Scot
land, and which led to the vacation of
his theological chair in Aberdeen.
We were pleased to notice that the
above action was passed unanimously,
and by rising vote. We were alike
surprised and delighted to be told that
Prof. Briggs, of the New Yo,k Union
Theological Seminary, not only voted for
the resolution, but before the vote, rose
in his place, and declared his full APP
proval of it. The action of the Assembly
was suggested not SO much because Of
the recent controversies over the name
of DR.. Newman Smyth, of Quincy, one
of our ministers, lately elected Professor
of Theology at Andover, as because of
certain articles in the Presbyterian Re
UielO, some of them by DIR. Briggs, which
were regarded as favoring the new criti-
cism to dangerous extent. DR.. Briggs
certainly understands the Springfield ac-
ton, and, therefore, his hearty vote for
it is guaranty that he is fully aware of
the dangers the Assembly had in view,
and will avoid them. For the time
being, the speech and vote of Prof. B.
were and are as oil on the troubled
waters.
The article Of the Presbyterian Reuie1o
that awakened most criticism, and that
has been sharply censured in four of our
Church papers, was written by Prof. II
Z. Smith, OF Lane. It's statement and
criticism of the critical theories of Julius
Wellhausen. The greater part of the
article Is devoted to a statement of what
they are, chiefly in Wellhausens words.
There are, however, many exceptions
taken to his criticism, though there are
some admissions that are unguarded and
dangerous. We venture the opinion,
however, in view Of remark made to
us by Prof S., before the meeting Of the
Assembly, that if he had been member
Of the Assembly he would also have ap-
proved the action Of the Assembly, and
would have voted for it. The remark