Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-25
DOES THE BIBLE CONTRADICT
ITSELF?

/
That 1t does Is confidently and persist
emily asserted by infdtls. That IL dott
not, Is not at first so easy to prove on the
/ plrt Of the b, lever. To one not fully rooted
aud grounded in the faith, an array Of texts
apparently contradictory, Is sometimes
presented calculated to weaken confidence
In the reliability OF the Scriptures. Many
OF these yield to moments careful inspec-
ton, while for the recorcilement o. Others
an understanding OF the manners, times
and customs OF the ancient people oi
whom the Bible treats Is needed. Some
times more comprehensive understands
ing OF the original Greek or Hebrew
Phrase than that conveyed In the common
English version, throws a food OF light
upon the dark passages. Hence the use
of commentaries Is very helpful to the So
luton OF doubts. Patience and thought
fulnes, will ultimately. believe. solve all
these difficulties and speedily show us
that they do not affect the general teach
inss OF the Bible. As most OF the alleged
dis ,repancies rclstc to numbers, dates and
m nor details. Not to be thoughtful and
patient In considering the claims OF the
Bible is recklessness in the extreme Con-
sidering its antiquity and its ella Inns, II is
entitled TO an important hearing. The
trouble with most skepiics Is that they
look at only one side. Skep.ical writings
are more TO their liking and they turn
from the writings Of believers as dry.
Archbishop Whately says that the SEEM
ing discrcp'n les OF the Bible are so nu.
.rJus that Ia y must b: the result or de :
sign.
They are calculated to awaken curiosity,
arouse the intellect, stimulate energy aud
try our faith and patience. They also
show that there Was no collision among
the sacred writer's. The books OF the b.
be show substantial agreement with
circumstantial variation" This Is just
what court of justice requires in regard
W Tue tcslillpu| VI Witucsscs.
These seeming discrepancies also show
a harmony between nature and revelation.
Nature has its "selfcontradictlous" as
well as the Bible. II furnishes proof texts
on both sides of many subjects. Its ap-
parently contradictory answers TO the
question lis God good?" are hard to rec
oncIle. There Is an analogy between the
difficulties OF nature ani the Scriptures
that suggests that they are both alike
wide and deep and both come from the
same God. Were the Bible free from diill-
cuties it would be an argument against
its divinity.
Neandcr justly says "God reveals him
self in his word as he does In his works.
In both We see q self-revealing, self-con.
cealing God, who makes himself known
only 10 those who earnestly seek him. In
both we find stimulsnts to filth and occa.
sions for unbe.ief; in both We find contra
dlctions whose higher harmony Is hidden
except from Linn who gives up his whole
mind in reverence; in both, in a word, 1t
is a law OF revelation that the heart OF
man should be tested In receiving 1t; and
that in the spiritual life as well as In the
body man must eat his bread in the sweat
OF his brow"
To any one troubled by these apparent
contradictions, or who wishes to become
wise defender OF the Holy Scriptures
against those who attack them on this
ground | recommend alleged Discrep-
ancies Of the Bible" By Rev John w.
Haley, published by Warren Draper
Andoyer, Mass. Price $500. II Is with
out rival in this department.