The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-03
THE BIBLE INFALL[BLE.
REV. DIX. CALfsCH's AMIR DEFENSE
or GODS UORD.
Not the Literal Word Of Deity Written by
Nero Copyists and Nothing More,
but a. Understood by Men.

Rabbi L. y. Calisch spoke last night
81 Beth Aahabah Synagogue on the suit
Jest "Infalibiiity OF the Bible" tak1s
his text from Deuteronomy w.. 6.
lie said IN part the he would touch
mostly upon the first chapter Of Gene
sis. because, outside perhaps OF the com
mand Of Joshua TO the sun to stand e
Gib'on. its statements tronchcC upon The
domain OF physical science. ard were de-
muntrablo OF proof or disprcof by pllp-
able and comprehensive testimore5.
The history OF the attitude Of ;he de-
Tenders OF the Bible toward those WHO.
IN their opinion were attacking %. - not
altogether pleasant reading. The zeal
Of Biblc-lovers has led them 10 mistakes.
But Bibliolatry is fast losing its mar
rowncss and much OF the "odium thcOto-
gicum.' Of former days has given way 10
The happier and more tolerant discussion
Of the present. Instead Of anathem@'iz-
ing the scientists. thcoioeidrs are trying
90 refutc their statements. or where IL
futation Is impossible 20 reconcile the
apparent contradictions Of science ard
theology.
CANNOT BE IL ERROR.
Tho necessity Of reconciliation Is forr d
in tho doctrine Of the lnfallibili'y -; the
Bible. The Bible. regarded as the word
Of God. literally revealed ana accepted.
cannot be In error. l must be true. But
the scientific conclusions are also true.
and where they vary. they must Be- ie-
conciicd. But the attempts at -ecohc.lid-
lion have brought on forced and unnatu-
raj interpretation 20 which as Dr. kyle
says. we should have no recourse" 1t
can ho readily seen that the doctrine OF
infaliibility is icing weakened, and the
Bible 90 held I'D be- like all other fruits
Of human fundamentally. liable 10 the
errors and conceptions Of the early
csc in which 10 had its birth.
All the great faiths have held true 10
the doctrine and have built the. super
structure If their theologies upon IT, Yet
n We accept the cosmogony Of the Sac
red Scriptures and give IL reverent cree
dcnce as being the revealed word Of God.
We muse DO the same thing for the cos
mOgof ss Of COntcmpOraneous people.
which are not only similar IN substance.
but which also were prior I'm existence.
and could not have been copied from the
scriptures. I'm the light OF these facts
IL difficult to resist the conclusion that
tho Biblical narrative is drawn from
the same source as these other records.
namely from the best human sources
available Thus speaks Dr. Driver. one
~ the foremost scholars and thcOlogians
OF England.
AS UNDERSTOOD BY MEN.
From the knowledge CLEANED. not only
I'm the fields of physical science but also
given by the archaeological discoveries
made in the plains Of the east. the posi-
ton must be taken that the Bible is
not the literal word Of Deity. written by
men who were mere cOpyists and nothing
more bat 80 is the word of God as under
stood by men. who. under the restless i'm
petus Of that desire for truth which IS
within us. sought then 10 know the orr
gin Of things. even as men to-day probe
the very veins OF the cosmos in order 10
know the secrets Of the world and its in
enable Creator
II II be asked II this teaching be not
dangerous 20 the peace of men and TO
their faith 10 must be remembered that
loss SIS always the accompaniment OF
progress. which however Is soon replaced
by the knowledge of the greater gain re-
ceivcd. The shadows Of errors are dy-
ing away before the morning sun Of a
truer conception and nobler theory OF
God and the universe and man. The Bible
is the word of God indeed and II Is indeed
true. but I'm "a noblcr sense than that Of
the mere rccOrdatiOn Of material Incl
dents 10 IS precious as the history of the
development of the heart and soul Of man.
disclosing the upbuilding Of his ideals
from the erotesQuc chaos Of poytheism
20 the splendid conception Of the God Of
the Hebrew prophets. which in ideality.
nobility. and sublimity has never been
surpassed. These things should make MS
revercnt and grateful and humble. make
us try to fathom the depth Of duty and
send the plummet Of pei 'ormance to its
very bottom