Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-24

Rev DR.. Weidner gave the secor a
lecture OF the bible series at the Y. NJ. q.
a rooms yesterday afternoon. The su ..
)ect was Inspiration OF the Scriptures !"
Inc subject. he said, is especially i'm
portant at this time when so many fale
theories are held. If the bible is not ia
spired 1t has no authority The soul of
man Graves for something upon which it
can rest and know its absolute truth. srd
some power outside of self which shall
overcome sin. But one book ever claimed
70 give these things. In studying The
SUBJECT 1t is necessary to clearly distin-
guish between three things, viz: rey,,la.
ton, inspiration and illumination. I'll csc
words are often judged to mean so me-
thing not known before. Inspiration is
That supernatural guidance OF the E.oly
Spirit by which those who were the sinh
lects of 1t wrote or preached with ALSO
lutte correctness and truth what God de
sired. II does away entirely with any
OF the Holy Spirit, still working, by
which We understand the word. DR..
Weidner explained these terms at length.
giving many instances illustrating the
| distinctions, and said there are five false
theories of inspiration that must be AIKEN
up and disposed of so that the way may
be clear to understand the truth of this
| subject. They are:
First. Natural inspiration, ide ntical
with genius; its advocates claim ins pira,
ton for Milton aud Shakespeare of same
kind as for prophets and apostles.
Second. Universal christian inspir alton,
identical with illumiastio its advocates
claim inspiration for all christians.
Third. Partial inspiration. The popu-
lar theory of the day. Its advocate s say
the bible contains the word OF God; not
| is. but contains. Each claims the right
to decide what is true; incesssnt quar-.
reling results.
Fourth. Illumination theory. Its ad-
vecates claim degrees of inspiration. as
that in some parts the spirit simply super
intended the work, in others guided, in
Others suggested the act.
Fifth Mechanical inspiration. Ac-
cording 10 this the writer was mere ma
chine. just as flute; you blow and the
flute plays
The true theory may be called dyna-
mic. meaning power or plenary meaning
true. Its truly human; its truly divine.
Absolute truth, that's divine; language,
individuality, that's, human The
differences of the language Of Isaish and
Amos, of Luke and Paul. are the differ.
ences of the men. but that written by
each was absolute truth. | never think
OF this without my Saviour coming to
mind The word is like Christ human
aud divine. As the son Of God became
incarnate. so in the book the holy spirit is
| incsrnate. Now these are theories, but
what we want is facts, we find those in
the word itself. The claims of The word
for itself were then taken no. John
15:28>27. 1912 Is; l Cor. 1874 II. Ro-
4 mans and Ephesisns, Gal 1I1-12; 1
Thes. 2:l3. we're cited as proofs. Tie
arguments TO be drawn from story are
also conclusive. DIR. Weidner closed his
address by stating his own positive con-
viction, that the bible is an absnlue guide,
telling all that is necessary for happiness
and peace on earth, revealing he truth OF
the future, of death and judg nent and
resurrection, the good news of salvation,
all need Much time foilowi lg the lec>
ture was given to questions.
| DIR. Weidner lectures neat Sunday
again. the subject to be annou need later
The room was full yesterday. taxing the
ability of the association 10 afford &C
commodatioDs.