Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-28
INSPIRATION AND REVELATION.

INSPIRATION AND REVELATION.
The question of the inspiration of the
Scriptures is causing some anxiety
among some theologians, who realize
| that the belief in the common theories
| if not in the fact itself, is gradually
waning Rev. w. c. a. Wallar re-
Gently took occasion to point out some
reasons why he considers the common
| theory Inadequate, and to predict that
the future must bring forth some re-
adjustment in this regard adequate to
the needs of the churches.
Among the ancicnts both heather
and Jews, 1t was sometimes believed
| that when inspired men were under the
divine impulse, all voluntary action was
suspended and that the speakers or
writer's were passive instruments I'M
der the direction of the Almighty. The
early Christians had but little occasion
| for speculation on question of this
kind. but when In the the middle ages
the authority Of the Roman pontiff be-
came a matter of controversy and the
Bible was appealed to against Rome, the
doctrine OF inspiration had to be de-
fined Different conclusions were ar
rived at. Some contended that God
dictated the Bible word for word. while
others held that only the fundamental
truths were given by insplra.
ton. Some maintained that there
are different kinds of inspira-
tion-one providing for the
revelation of things not previously
| r1Iu ha
against errors in stating things already
known.
Rev. Wallar believes that all the
various theories are inadequate. He
looks forward to an amendment which
will reconcile the diverse opinions and
cover the conflicting views. He thinks
the eventual new theory will allow the
broadcast criticism and allow the read
ers of the Bible to judge for them
selves whether the writings are to be
accepted as historical or not; it will be
a theory which satisfactorily reconciles
, the supposition that the sacred writings
are imperfect human compositions with
, the fact that they are the word OF
God. How this is to be done is not
, even limited at, but the author seems to
, be confident that it is within the range
: of possibilities.
+ OF more Importance Is the reverent
gentleman's objections to the current
: theory of inspiration. They are CLASH
t fed as follows:
= 1T Falls to satisfy many unquestion-
( ably devout scholars within the pale of
, the evangelical church.
. 1T practically limits Gods com
los. y.
mel of Bible Interpretation. thus fore.
n ing MS into the impossible task of ar.
y irving at revealed truth by way of the
n labyrinth of criticism and history, re-
n ducing theological inquiry to the low.
d est type Of clerical drudgery, that OF
n the scribe, the lawyer, and the text.
s. monger.
= 1T requires infallible accuracy II
'e every statement made In original auto
r graph manuscripts now lost forever
is an so needlessiy wagers the success o
10 Christianity on extremely remot,
l. picket lines which we are destitute o
j. forces to defend.
,e 1T ignores the development through
t. centuries Of mans moral nature, ant
= makes God not the sufferer but tn
l. direct author OF ethical principles fa
re inferior to those of Christ; 1t leaves n,
is room for what has been called TIN
Or conflict of scripture forming will
ee scripture formed
J. 1T requires, for consistency, and 70
TO the success of Gods supposed origIna
~ plan, the inspiration of scribes. copy
n lists editors, critics, and translators
ar Lastly perhaps It's chief defect i
. that 1t makes the Bible contain an,
n support Christ and Chritianlty-the les
no contain the greater: makes Christianit,
In stand or fall with certain definite We
n disputable preconcepuons about
nj record, instead of making the Bible on
an among several means of grace confirm
in atory of 'presuppositions founded Il
h. nature and experience and history"
ne This, as will be seen. is an acknowl
~ odgement of the fact that Protestan
of theology fails to satisfy even davou
he scholars with regard to one Of Il
n fundamental principles. 1t Is declar
~ alton that system which limits God
lie communication with mankind to tn
II. written word is imposing upon me
~ and women an impossible task. be
u. cause 1t requires them to seek 70
he truth on fields inaccessible to them.
in These objections are logical an
n, strike with fatal force. But they ais
~. suggest what is the present need of tn
r. Christian world. 1t is not necessary
ed form new theories beyond what fac,
CHI warrant. If the Christian world az
,"n cepts the general truth that the sacre
A. Scriptures are of divine origin an
authority, but that in some instance
ne the books have suffered change
ee through human agencies employed
lis transcrbing, which changes may
NJ may not have divine sanction, tn
~, doctrine of inspiration is precisel
of within the limits of the sacred record
al themselves. When to this is adde
re that God always has in His Church II
~ spired men through whom He ca
on communicate with the race, all diff
n culties are removed. The obiectio,
NJ to the current theories concerning "
n inspiration of the Bible are power-l
ay arguments for the continuation of re,
y citation in the Church.