The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

birth. but not one OF them can be called q
Hebrew in his creed. Abstract theologi-
cal speculation is foreign 10 the general
spirit OF old Testament teaching. Inc
truth is that an abstract god Is much
the same as no god. A god who cannot
hate sin and love the penitent SINNER
who cannot reward the righteous nor pun
ish the wicked. who cannot be loved ny
his people nor dreaded by his enemies
such "a god would be OF little avail IN
controlling the conduct Of average human
beings.
We may veil insist, then that no evo-
lutionary or revolutionary sociology
can account for the God Of the Bible. and
that the theory which may possibly aC-
count for an abstract god accounts for
"a pallld abstraction that no human
being ever worshipped.
DIR. Toy candidly advertises ne at tho
outset that he means 20 criucise my
Z Bible out of existence. Ny Bible is. first
Of all q supernatural b0ok-a revelation.
and the learned Professors "Christiani-
tv'' has no relish OF the supernatural IN
n II this were sound criticism. II would
he hard 10 see why every one or us
should not follow Emerson's advice and
make his own Pibie.
AS TO JESUS CHRIST.
And. II Abraham is 10 be ruled out as
1nnbistorlcal" because his religious eN-
perience cannot be made. 10 square WIN
evolution" and the laws Of human pro-
eress." then the PLAIN Christian asks
What Is 10 become OF Jesus Christ VINO
said. Abraham reJolced 10 see my day
and no saw q. and was glad? This 'oeo
IS shorter than that man can stretch
himself on IL: and the covering narrower
than that he can wrap himseh III H.
prefer q different lodging.
Dr. Toy holds that there is no reason
10 believe that Jesus ever thought Of him
self as a sacrifice for sin. but as the
author Is utterly dependent upon the New
Testament and almost entirely upon the
four evaneelisis Tor his knowledge OF
Christ's views, X Is very remarkable that
he can cling 20 such an opinion In the
face of the following statements: This
L my blood Of the New Testament. which
is shed for many for the reT'N OF
sins. My body which IS given for you
NV blood which is shed for you; the
bread that | will give you Is my hesh'
which / will give for the lie OF the
world" Il lay down my life for the
sheep"
n work miracles. but the plain Christian
savs. III the evangellsts do not prove
that He professed 70 work miracles then
thew do not prove that He lived and
preached"
or Jesus our anthor says that the por-
trojture OF Him In the synoptics (that Is
the first three evangelsts) shows tnat
He lived and acted as other men: that
nothing was further from His mind than
the desire to be looked on as super
human being" X is noticeable and sus-
picious that the critic here quietly and
Arbitrarily rules out Johns Gosnel thoueh
ne now and then quotes it-when II suits
his purpose Is there any satifactory rea-
son for holding Johns narrative m less
esteem than the others as bstorlral au-
thoritv as to the sayings ard doings OF
Jesus7 7 have seen none whatever.
But taking DR.. Toy on his own ground
Matthew tells us that Christ forgave sins
and that He vindcated His right 70 DO ";
and that He gave men power 10 heal the
sici- cleanse Iapers raise the dead, and
cast out demons He reports Jesus 80
saving. AN shlnrs are delivered unto
me Of nv Father . neither
! tnoweth anv man the Father save the
aon and he 20 whOmsoever the son Will
reveal him" In Matthew we find Christ
claiming 10 be Lord even Of the Sab
hafh dav." 10 cost out demons by the
spirit OF God. and 10 be the hnal judge
| Of the world. In Mark and in Luke SINH
| lar claims on the part OF Christ abound,
~ Jesus was not a supernuman being,
| then the plain Christian must believe that
! Ills enemies were perfectly right in pro-
! nouncing Him a hlasphemsr.
PHYSICAL MIRACLES.
Professor Toy Is slow 20 believe that
| Paul professed to work physical miracles.