The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-07
Tho Controversy Over! tho Bible

The Controversy Over tho Bible.
Tho New York Presbyteryh has done prop
erlyi In deciding to proceed with tho trial Of
the Rev. DR.. BRIoos for heresy. Tho effort
that was made to compromise tho matter
and Avoid the Issue was unjust to both ac-
cpsed, and accusers.' .g ~
The ground on which 80 many Of
the theologians, would :, have, STAYED of
the trial was that Dr., BRIGGS. in an
swer to certain categorical questions had
declared his belief in the Bible and ortho-
doxy generally. But these answers amount
ed to nothing. He took back nothing that
he had taught. recanted nothing. and. re-
stunned his chair In the theological seminary
to teach the aame as before. His views.
too. were formally and specifically sustain
ed and proclaimed by the Rev: DR.. VINCENT.
ono Of his fellow professors. In an address
delivered at the recent opening Of the school,
Dr.. JOHN HALL would have relieved the
Preebytery from the embarrassment of pro-
ceeding with the trial by accepting these
answers as disclaimers Of distinct errors"
and by mildly telling DR.. BRIoas not to do
90 again. When the question Of a compro-
mise came to q vote the. majority Of the
ministers were In favor OF avoiding trial.
but with the laity the decision was the
other way. the clerical vote being 30 for. to
A against. and the lay 10 to 20. It was q
very close vote. and. moreover. 63 Of the
clergy and Is Of the elders In the Presby-
tory were not present to commit themselves
or did not vote. ....
This disposition OF the laity to be more
severe In their orthodoxy than the clergy Is
h~o
throughout the present theological contro-
versy. The Presbyterian elders knew
nothing about the new Biblical criticism
until their attention was called to 1t by
DR.. BR1aos's celebrated inaugural address.
They have believed always that the Bible Is
nll true. Their understanding OF inspire
ton is that 1t means that the whole came
from GoD through the pens Of the men
whose names appear as the authors
OF the Scriptural books. They have be-
lieved that the Bible is ss much the Word
Of Cop and as absolute in Its infallibility as
II 1t had beeHwritten with His own hand.
Every word and every letter Is inspired. 40
cording to their faith. Therefore when DR..
BRIaas denied this infallibility. declaring
that there was error as well as truth In the
Bible. and that many Of the books were not
written by the authors to whom they are
ascribed. these good Presbyterians were
amazed and terrified. For many years
theologlans apd learned Biblical students
had themselves been familiar with the re-
suits OF this method Of criticism. but they
had not talked about the subject In the pull
pit. Even II. convinced themselves. they
were disposed TO keep quiet about 1t.
saying that the time was not ripe for letting
the people into the secret. Hence to many
OF the clergy the declarations Of DR.. BRIoas
did not come with the shock of novelty
which was 30 painful to the laity almost
universally. His scholarly conclusions were
no news to them. though they trembled
because he had exposed the results of scien-
tific research so publicly. They also un-
derstood how difficult 1t is to resist his
teachings. for they are not speculative
views. but the results OF learned his
torical and literary Investigation. They
may BIO contrary to the Presbyterian stand
ards. and yet they may not be opposed TO
the truth obtainable by mankind.
Undoubtedlyit Is entirely possible to con-
viot DR.. BaIoas under . strict intsrprsta-