The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-01
THE BIBLE IN THE HIGH COURT OF
MODERN CRITICISM.
III.
BY ]. P. MACLEAN, PHI. d.

Baur, man possessed OF vast learn
ing, great industry and acute insight.
A characteristic of his criticism is
the doctrine of intention. Thus he
ascribes to the New Testament
writer's a special aim, which leads
them to exaggerate certain facts, and
omit or invent other. He seeks
everywhere for some party or private
purpose which colors the narrative,
and to the author of the Fourth Cos
pei he ascribes the deliberate purpose
of passing himself off as the Apostle,
in order to impose on the Church his
doctrine of the Logos.
The rejection of the Gospel of St.
John is part of the Tubingen critics
plan to attempt reconstruction Of
early Christian history. They de-
clare there was a radical difference
and hostility between the Jewish and
Gentle types of Christianity-the
one led by Peter at the head OF the
original disciples, and the other
party that adhered to Paul Several
books of the New Testament they
ascribe to the effort, made at later
day, to bridge over the gulf and the
Fourth Gospel is product of this
pacifying MISUNDERSTANDING it to
have been written about the middle
of the second century, by Christian
of Gentle birth, who assumed the
name of John in order to give an
apostolic sanction to his production.
Without particularly specifying
what truths and what dross may be
in these views, we must admit that
great value has resulted from the
labors of Baur and his successors.
They have aroused healthy nquiry
into the early condition of the Chris
tian church and called attention to
many valuable points heretofore
unnoticed. An impetus has been
aroused that has caused every part
of the New Testament to be examined
and discussed as never before.
Facts unquestionablg stand in the
way of the conclusions of Baur and
his followers. According to their
hypothesis the books of the New
Testament, with the exception of
Taui's four chief epistles, and the
Apocalypse, are fictitious productions
belonging to some period of the
second century, and having for their
object a reconciliation of the Petrine
and Pauline Christians. The nara
tives contained therein are not neces-
sarily historic facts, although they
may rest upon foundation.
AS has been noticed in the Homer
ic poems, an essential fact destroyed
the building of the critics. So here
it must be noted that the entire Chris
tan church near the close of the Sec
ond century had accepted the writ
ings now contained in the Canon,
and admittedly as coming from the
authors whose names they bear.
These books were not brought to-
gether by the edict of any church
or council, but by that law of pre-
servation which has ever guarded
them. The earliest writings since ap-
ostolic times show there were critics
and scholars from the first. In
deed, but little later, or say towards
the close of the second century, was
born the greatest scholar of that age,
and one Of the greatest of any age.
Origen, from his birth, breathed the
spirit of the Christian religion. So
great were his attainments that he
has been called "The Father of Bib
lical criticism and exegesis in Chris
tendon" He examined critically all
the books of the New Testament, and
living so near the time of their origin
he was eminently qualified to pass an
accurate judgment.
To this may be cited the early con-
troversies with the Gnostics, and
numerous condolences, which were
evidently undersigned. 1t is but fair
to note that the more recent German
criticism has essentially modified the
conclusions of Baur relative to the
book of Acts. Without specifying
names and various opinions, it may
be affirmed that instead of the book
of Acts being unhistoric, by the
freest and latest criticism it becomes
a reliable source of knowledge re-
specting the Apostle Paul.
The Tubingen school, which has
been the most prominent in criticism,
presents shifting scenes. 1t has not
been permanent, unless it is in the
doctrine of tendency. The critical
movement inaugurated by Baur sub
stituted for the mythical theory.
which had been pushed to an extreme
by Strauss, that of tendency. Baur