New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-01
THE Bible AND THE CRITICS.

THE BIBLE AND THE CRITICS.
Professor Samuel Ives Curtlss, Of the Con
crcgationa Theological Seminary OF Chicago,
Is contributing to THE Congregatlonallst'
series of papers on the latest conclusions OF
Biblical criticism that Will attract the attention
OF Christians generally. Professor Curtss IS
mn orthodox Congrcgationalis and graduate
Of Amherst College and the Union Theological
Seminary. He studied for some years In Ger
many where he enjoyed the friendship of such
men as Christcb and Delsch. and he has
made name for himself as reyerent student
Of the Bible What such a man has TO say
about modern Biblical criticism cannot very
well he ignored by those who desire honestly
10 know the truth about that book.
Professor Curiss begins by saying that mod
orn Biblical criticism Is not modifying the
teaching Of The Bible but rather the commonly
accepted views regarding the age and author
shin Of It's books. Recent investigation. he de-
cares. has destroyed entire forests OF human
opinion about the Bible" This method OF re-
constructing the Bible by throwing new light
upon It must be met by facts. and not by
ecclesiastical ccnsurc. He adds:
1.-THE modern critical theory Of the Pentateuch
and OF Isaiah is wrong. II Will be ascertained
not hv denOuncing II injurious to the cause
O. Christ. but 10y proving It's erroneous char-
actcr through the methods Of the higher critl-
clsm-that IT, through literary Investigation
Thcse views cannot be permanently met ny cast
ing contempt on legitimate science or odum
on the higher critics. or by seeking 70 prevent
the pursuit Of criticism.
This statement Of his cnse seems candid,
and this method IS. In fact, being pursued
hy some conservative critics Ike Professor
Saycc. who are showing how certain late dis
conclusions of radical critics What plain,
average Christians most object 10 IS the conclu-
sion Of modern critics that many books OF the
Bible are a patchwork Of old documents or
traditions many Of which are inconsistent with
each other. and some Of which. therefore, are
untrue. Mr. Moody expresses that objection
very we'll when he says: God meant all lie
said. and parts Of the Bible cannot be sighted
cor CLOSED over" True. reply the critics but
the question M issue Is What did God really
Say? In other words. did He say what He Is
said - have said: The distinguished Chris
tlan scholars Of Europe and America who
made the revised version OF The English Bible
issued in lSsl'S2 believed no less than Mr..
Moody that God meant what He said But
their belief did not prevent them from emitting
ihc doxOlOgy 10 the Lords Prayer In Matthew.
and three clauses II the prayer as given In
Luke They omitted also the passage In Johns
Gospel describing the descent of the angel 10
the pool. Matthew's account Of the piercing OF
the Savlours side. rcbukc 10 the disciples
given In Luke H. 3D. and they expressed their
doubt concerning the closing passage in Marks
Gospel. and the passage In Johns Gospel about
the woman taken in adultery In other words.
these cody and dcvout men cut the Bible In
accordance with certain conclusions of modern
Biblical criticism. because in these particular
cases they did not believe that God really said
what He was alleged TO have said.
But az Professor Curtlss argues. the Bible
Itself furnishes evidence that Its writer's used
material NJ hand in n very free way. For in
stance | chronicles XVI l-i3, he thinks piece
OF patchwork. Besides quoting passages from
the books OF Samuel the chronicler puts into
the mouth of David n psalm Of thanksgiving
which is really combination OF three psalms.
written according TO scholars centuries after
Davids death. And Professor Curlss remarks:
II would be wrong for us 10 accuse the chron-
teller ~ deliberately tempting to falsfy his
tory. He had no thought OF doing such thing.
but i'm the time when he wrote t38' g. c. there
an elaborate temple service. He could not
conceive OF David as bringing up the Ark with
out such ceremonies would have bsen proper
AT his time. He therefore puts psalm into
the mouth Of David and names over those who
had the charge OF the music on this occasion.
The reverent study Of the Bible in order TO
sec what Is has to say for itself IS going on to-
day in all the churches. and doubtless 1t Will
do much to modify many of the old views
concerning II. But such study, whether in the
Church or outside Of II. will only serve to
establish more firmly what Is true In that
venerable book Thus far. certainly the
moral grandeur and elevation OF the Bible has
been strongly confirmed by the dispassIonatc
investigation Of 1t by critics and scholars
Ching ~ a sou, is