The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-29

We lately pointed out that Catholic con-
tributor to tho Contemporary Reriep has
boldly accepted the principal conclusions Of
the Dutch and German Biblical critics. and
weexpressed the opinion that the Holy Office,
although IL had condemned Mr.. ST. GEORGE
MIvART's dissent from the orthodox view
OF hell. would be slow to set like seal OF
disapproval on the afflrmatons Of such
Scriptural scholars as KUENEN and WELL
HANSEN. For many reasons. but especially
because an authoritative definition OF a
dogma may safely be made, for it cannot
be tested: whereas the date or authorship
OF a pa rticular Scriptural composition Is a
question OF fact. TO be tested like other
questions OF the same kind. But can our
opinion be reconciled with the Popes re-
cent encyclical on the study Of the Bible ?
We certainly believe that IL can. provided
the tenor OF that document is. as we may
no doubt assume. correctly set forth in the
summary published by Cardinal GIBBONS.
The encyclical begins by quoting the
statement from II. Timothy: "All scripture
is given by inspiration OF GOD" This Is
fundamental allirmance OF tho Catholic
Church. as well as the Anglican Church.
the Presbyterian communion. and almost
all Protestant bodies. The sentence. how
ever. is construed very differently In differ
ent religious associations. The Presby-
terians OF the United States. for instance.
Pot upon 1t an Interpretation so vigorously
literal as virtually to deny any scope to
Biblical criticism. The Church OF England,
on the other hand. has formally refused to
condemn the results OF German Biblical
criticism embodied in the essays published
under tho title OF Lux Mundi." although
these correspond exactly with those adopt-
ed by the Catholic writer in the C6ntempO-
rGry Reriep. The theologians who now
control the Anglican Church have thus
avoided the grievous mistake made by
Canon LIDDoS. who. preaching at st. Paul's
In $780, and referring To Mr.. CORES essay
on Inspiration In LUX Mundi." declared
that it would DO difficult to maintain
CHRIsT's authority as a religious teacher
II. as Mr.. GORE said. the book OF DANIEL
were written in tho second century instead
OF the sixth. Tho position now occupied
by the Anglican Church is practically this:
that belief in the general tonet Of the in
spiration Of Scripture need not DO shaken
by changes of opinion regarding the date
or authorship OF particular compositions.
and that the authority Of Scripture with
reference to spiritual things Is not weak
ened by any mistakes OF its writer's in re-
lation to temporal matters. seeing that It
was not the aim of inspiration To teach
things unessentHl To salvation.
The Catholic Church has always allowed
more latitude In the criticism and EXPOSE
ton OF the Scriptures than have most OF
tho Protestant bodies, because Catholic
dogma is doduced not exclusively from
the text of Scripture. but also from what
Catholics consider an equally trustworthy
source of authority, to wit. tho tradition
through the continuous Catho-
lie Church. The encyclical shows that tho
present Pontin does not difIcr Ia this TO-
spect from his predecessors The sense in
which no accepts tho statement AL
is given by inspiration OF Con"
is discOyerable from his subsequent admo-
nitions and injunctions. Thus he invcighs
severely not only against the abuse. but
against tho lack Of biblical study and re-
search. large part of the space at his
disposal is allotted by the Pope 10 special
regulations and provisions for the search
Ing OF the Scriptures in the Catholic schools.
academies. and seminaries. "uccOrdiag 10
he requirements Of he times and tho i'm
portance Of this department Of study"
The writer in the Contemporary Rerier had
the necessity Of improving tho
stan OF Catholic universities from this
point Of view. aud now, In his eucychcal.
We find LEO XIII. cOunselling "a more care
iul selection in the choice of the teachers and
professors Of this important discipline"
aud laying down rules for a thorough and
scientific course Of Biblical Interpretation.
which ought TO DO both comprehensive and
profound"
As to the high place assigned to the Yul-
gate. or Latin version by 81. JEROME.
among the original authorities for the text
Of Scripture. LEO Kill scarcely goes fur
Their than did the TeyiseTs Of the English
version OF the Bible. The yulgste. We
should bear In mind. Is not made the e1clu-
siys authority. but. in addition. the Pope
expressly recommends the use aud study Of