The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-26
The Presbytcrians and DR.. Briggs.

Inc presOytcr1anS ana Dr. Briggs.
Evidently the Union Theological Semi
nary is determined to stand or fall with DR..
BRIGGS. When he is put on trial for hercsy
it will he on trial with him. II he is driven
from the Presbyterian Church. 1t will go
with him. His views OF Scripture are the
views which will be taught at the seminary.
and if they are condemned as heretical. Pres
byterianism can be responsible no longer
for that school Of divinity.
The conviction Of DR.. BRIGGS by the
New York Presbytery is almost a foregone
conclusion. His teachings conflict with the
Westminster Confession 80 decidedly and
SO manifestly that there seems no escape
for him. They arc also opposed to the be-
lief OF the great mass of Presbyterians and
OF orthodox Protestants generally. II
agree with my friend, DR.. BRIGGS" said
Prof. VINCENT in his address at the opening
Of the seminary on Thursday. that the
Scriptures must be interpreted as other
human writings. and that that interpreta-
ton must be entered upon in n spirit Of
sympathy with the Divine element OF the
Book" The Divine element is it's truth.
the human element is the error which both
Prof. BRIGGS and Prof. VINCENT find in the
Bible They declare that its absolute in
ialliblity cannot stand up against scholarly
investigation. 1t is book marked by
human imperfcctions. they say. and be-
lief in verbal and literal inspiration Is a
mere superstition. Hence however much
they may talk about " a spirit Of sympathy
with the Divine element" they treat the
Scriptures as the production Of men and
not OF GOD. except as He is the author Of
all truth as expressed by men. The Bible.
according to their view. does not stand
apart from all other literature; it takes its
place along with other religious books, to
be tested and criticised on its merits and
not as the only Word Of Cop, perfect and
| infallible in its truth.
or course, this teaching is opposed to the
belief Of all orthodox Professionalism. 1t
| strikes at the very basis Of Professionalism.
which rests on the theory aud the doctrine
that the Bible is the Word of GOD. absolute
in its truth. and the solo rulc of faith and
practice. Professionalism turns to the
Scriptures as the law. and whatever casts
| doubt on their infallibility destroys their
authority rs Divine command. II they
are partly true and partly false. il they can
| not be- sustained as perfect in their Divine
revelation, Professionalism is founded on SUI
perstition merely: it must give up the Bible
us its law and fall back on the reason. In
other words. it must go over into asnosti-
clsm. or to the rejection OF all attempts to
base religion on any supernatural authority
to which mon must yield. The Scriptures. I"
to- repeat the words OF DR.. VINCENT. must
be interpreted as other human writings"
The Union Theological Seminary. there
fore. Is leading In tho greatest theological
revolution in the history OF Christianity.
and In order to proceed on It's course. it
must cut aloof from tho Prcsbyterlunism
which it was established to teach and de-
fcnd. The Prcsbyterles must refuse to send
to 1t candidates for the ministry unless
they arc prepared to abandon the old Pres,
byterianism and build up a new. 1t must
transform itself into an Independent school
of divinity. or the Presbyterian Church,
must DO divided to secure for 1t the support
of Il party In the denomination.
The issue Is squarcly Joined. The posi-
ton OF the seminaryis unmistakable. and 1t
now remains to be seen what the Presby.
terians will do In tho premises. They are
challenged to battle. and they must fight or
allow DR.. BRIGGS to DO their leader. The
controversy will bc long continued. for he
will have his appeal to the Synod aud tho
General Assembly. and he has back of him
the richest of tho Presbyterian seminarics
and many of tho most powerful Of the clergy
1t seems probable that the result will be q
split In the Presbyterian ranks. II it docs
not lead to actual and complete disntegra
ton.