The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-02-21
For the Central Presbyterian.
The New Version.

MeSSrs. -EditorS,-I have been deeply
interested in DR.. Alexander's exegetical
and critical consideration OF the New
Version of the Testament. His scholarly
attachments give peculiar fitness for this
work, and l think all must concede that
he has displayed great research in his
discussions and impartiality in his con-
illusions. The Central of February 7th,
contains No. a. on 2 Tim. iii 16, which
is the keystone to the arch To my mind
the work of the revisers must stand or
fall upon this verse DIR. Alexander
opens this number by characterising the
1ae1O Uersiom of this verse, as the 4" dead
fly in the ointment" and winds up by
damning the whole work of the revisers
with faint praise.
1t seems clear to my mind that if the
rendition of this l6 verse of the chap
ter of 2 Timothy is to be accepted by
our Church, that it must abandon its
doctrine of the PJenary Inspiration of
the Scriptures as laid down by DR.. Hum
phrey in his very able and exhaustive
paper on this subject before the Pan-Pres-
byterian Council in Philadelphia DR..
Alexander has considered the subject
dramatically and theologically, DOW let
US look at it logically, or take plain,
common sense view of it. Old Version
All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness" etc. New Version
Every Scripture inspired of God Is also
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction which is in
righteousness, etc. The Old Version,
affirming, categorically, that oil Scripture
Is given by inspiration of God, by which
the Church has been taught to believe
that all the holy writings contained in
the Old and New Testament, as they
have been handed down by the ancient
prophets and apostles, are inspired. This
is the foundation stone upon which the
whole system rests, and is in no way af-
fected by exegetical differences of inter
probation or errors in translation. This
doctrine is plainly laid down in 2 Peter
!: 20, 81, THAT no prophecy of the
Scripture is of any private Interpretation.
- +Nn prophecy came not in old time
but holy men of God
red by the Holy
nea0 Version, Every
.Ispired OF God, does not al
I'm categorioally, that all the Holy Scrip
lures, as we have them, are inspired of
God. On the other hand, it makes the
major premise, viz, "thot all Scripture
IS inspired Of God, the minor premise, by
asserting that every Scripture which is
inspired of God, is profitable, etc. 1t is
true that every" may be made to include
each Scripture severally, and in that view
there is no material difference, but that
10 neither the plain common sense or the
logical construction of the sentence.
Again, to say that "every Scripture in
spired of God is also profitable for teach.
ing" etc., Is to make that which is the
essence of thing one of its attributes or
qualities. In other words, the profit
ableness of Scripture for these purposes
is not an also or an adjunct or conse-
quence, but is er 71eceSSitate rel. The
fact that it is God speaking to man, and
fallen man at that, gives to the Scrip
lures character which is different from
that OF all other writings it is light
taking the place of darkness; it is wisdom
as contradistinguished from ignorance
it is truth supp PLANTING error; it is "the
way, the truth, and the life" To my
AliAhN phO uSW udS OD6u6u WlQe
the door to the in6del and the sceptic.
Who will decide what is inspired and
what is not2 Does the new Version lean
to the progressive theology 2--this new
theology which is breaking the bands of
darkness which have shrouded the Church
for the past three hundred years? The
difference in exegesis, which has given
rise to the different sects and denomina-
tions of Christians, is distinct question.
Any exegesis which will harmonic and
unitise these upon one common platform,
which will wipe out non-essentials and
annihilate bigotry and sectarianism, will
be theological progression in the right
direction but if "all Scripture is not
given by inspiration Of God, and is not
profitable" where will we find rest for
the soles OF our feet? LAYMAN.
For the Central Presbyterian