Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-18
The Christian Religion.

Professor George P. Fishers Article In the North American Review.
 In the February number of the NOrM American ReUteoo, Professor George P. Fisher of the Yale Divinity SC hool, whose writings on the supernatural origin of Christianity
 and or ecclesiastical history are well known, comes to the defense of the Christian religion against the attacks of modern doubt and inf dellty. No abler or more eminent advocate for the orthodox faith could be summoned into the controversy that has lately been waged on this high theme, and it is not too much to say that Professor Fisher justihes every expectation by the vigor and clearness with which he handles the subject. He dis claims, however, the position of debater, and makes no direct reference to Colonel Ingersolls assaults although he necessarily deals with the objections so brilliantly and audaciously presented by that doughty com- blatant. He proceeds in a very orderly man ner to maintain a series of positions in regard to the origin, essential character and benef- cent effects of the Christian faith, which are intended in themselves to furnish the answer to all objections and caVils. In the first place he takes advantage of the position that Christianity is no new thing whose present ! existence calls for justification or apology. It is inwrought with the very fibre and sub stance of the best part of modern institu- tions and civilization, and has contributed more than any other force to making them what they are. We are impressively invited ! to imagine what they would have been with ! m. n ! sents, some of them of 8 very perplexing | character are frankly acknowledged, and ! differences of interpretation and understand ! ing ara alluded to something Inseparable 1 from the action of the human mind in deal | ing with any system, complex in it's details and bearings, however simple in it's character \ and purpose. The idea that Christianity has ! been bane to mankind is very effectuaIly | disposed of by an appeal to history and the experience of the race. In tracing the de- i velopment of divine revelation and the grad l ual establishment of the religion of which l Christianity is the consummation, Prof. I Fisheregives very broad interpretation to I the idea of inspiration in the writings which ! contain it's record and it's precepts. Thereby 1 he is enabled to meet with skill and effect 1 some of the most telling arguments of the ! skeptic and the infdel He claims, 1 for instance, that the divine method was to select a chosen people and lead them l RTduudllJ up bO buS pldnC upOn "ulOn tuo l fullness of truth could be revealed to them with a possibility of being received and propagated. There was no sudden transfor- I nation of human nature, no violent sweep l ing away of old institutions and miraculous 1 introduction of new system, to which there l must be a sudden and complete adaptation of mankind equivalent almost to new creation 1 of the race; but instead of that the chosen people were dealt with as men of their own l era and those that surrounded or came in | contact with them were similarly treated | cording to the requirements of the stage of progress reached from time to time. Hence l the evils and abuses characteristic of ancient 1 days were not suddenly rooted out but were
 restrained and mitigated, while the forces l were set at work which were to effect their l final annihilation.
 1 In dealing with the facts and doctrines of 1 Christianity, Prof. Fisher displays much of l the same breadth of method. While he res l olutely maintains the genuineness and credi- bility of the miracles of the Saviour and the I divine character of the gospel record, his
 arguments regarding the authenticity sub 1 stantial harmony and essential truth as to l facts of the New Testament scriptures, are such as would be applied to any other con- | troverted writings. Considered in that light
 they are ell-nigh conclusive, but they are
 in some respects quite different from what
 we have been accustomed to in religious con- troversy. The testimony of the disciples is 1 tested as human testimony, and the records
 treated as subject to the ordinary accidents and incidents of literature. All this, of course
 does not affect the essential character of Christian revelation or the religious belief
 and practice that is founded upon it. In
 dealing with these the learned writer has a
 strong case, and presents it with much vigor
 and force. His contribution to the contro-
 versy will be regarded with great interest, as
 furnishing the latest statement of orthodox
 views in what may be regarded ss an authori-
 tative form, Taking it as such, not the least
 part of its value will be found in the evidence
 it affords of the progressive character of the
 most strictly orthodox thought of the day.