New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
DIR. BRIGGss BOOK ON THE BIBLE.


Charles Scribners Sons
There are two methods OF studying the Bible
Fer the most part these two methods are irrec-
oncilable with each other. those who adopt
one of them being committed to conclusions
that DENY the premises OF the other method
Simply for convenience in discussing them these
two methods may be called the extra-rational
and the rational, though It should be said that
some Of the implications of meaning in these
two words must not be too closely pressed
Many VINO accept the extra-rational view OF the
Bible accept also certain conclusions Of the
rational theory of It's origin and character; ano
many like DR.. Briggs himself. who stand for a
rational Interpretation OF the sacred books &C
cept implicitly the extra-natural elements IN II
az proving IL to be a divine revelation OF truth
TO
Nevertheless. the line Of demarcation between
the two views of the Bible is very clearly de-
fined. According to one view, the Bible IS
literally the Word Of God. He guided the pens
or controlled the words of its various authors
II contains therefore no error or mistake OF
any kind whatever Even its Obiter dicta, It's
incidental references to history. geology. astron-
omy or geography are divinely true. although
investigation may seem to prove them untrue
The Bible according to this view, is the one
tnfallf5le body Of truth in the whole world 10
doubt or deny the least Of It's statements is 10
,mnurn the revelation Of God Himself and to
challenge His avenging wrath. 1t Is true there
seem to be discrepancies or contradictions IN
the Bible But that fact does not in the least
disturb those who hold this view of it, Either
these discrepancies and contradictions crept INTO
the later manuscript copies Of the sacred books.
or they could be explained by some facts not
known. IN which case they exist in order to try
hon xr-if hon n
attempting TO explain them is godly act. 1t
follows from this that any critical examination
OF the Bible is not merely unnecessary. but is
Instantaneous The last book Of the Bible was
written many hundred years ago. after which
The Canon was closed. A sort Of sacred tradi-
tion,has handed down to the faithful certain
approved Interpretation of the books and their
teaching. It is the duty OF ell 10 accept that
interpretation as. in effect, part of the Bible
Itself But they cannot do that II they begin
any Independent investigation of the book
Such an investigation will lead TO conclusions
slIbversive of the sacred tradition in innumer-
able points 1t will disprOve the assumed dates
Of many of the books. and will throw doubts on
their reputed authorship 1t will find errors IN
the narrative that cannot be explained away.
1t is entirely logical therefore, for those VINO
accept the traditional view of the Bible to OPP
right to test its statements by investigation and
reason be once granted the whole traditional
theory OF the book will inevitably go by the
board.
On the other hand those who accept the ra-
+,onaI method of studying the Bible say that
tradition as such has no binding force. 1t Is
often founded on ignorance and misconception.
The scientific critics Of the Bible in the churches
believe implicitly that the Bible contains reve-
lation Of divine truth to men. Its teaching in
regard TO faith and morals Is infallibe. But 1t
ia not absolutely inerrant as to all matters or
history geology, astronomy and geography con-
corning which Il makes incidental statements.
It's writer's were not verbally inspired. They
did not write as machines They were inspired
simply as to the substance of the spiritual reve-
lation thew were commissioned to proclaim But
they indited that revelation under the lmita-
tons Of ignorance prejudice incident to them
as human beings. In regard TO all mundane
matters they knew no more than their con-
temporaries: sometimes not as much. Even
their moral code was often imperfect. because
II was necessarily reflection Of the moral ideals
of their time Moreover. say the critics tradi-
tion. which is the child Of credulity and igno-
rance has fastened upon the Bible great mass
OF beliefs and opinions that are wholly alien to
II. Not only is II t0e QutN OF CHIlSllduo lO-unS
TO disregard these human additions to the Bible,
but II is their farther duty TO drive them out
of the Church blasphemous conceits, tending
TO make the Word of God OF no effect, teach
ing for commandments the doctrines Of men"
1t is as an advocate Of the latter conception Of
the Bible that Dr. Briggs comes before the pub
lie IN this volume. AS all readers doubtless
know, his right to hold and teach this concep-
ton Of the book was questioned by the denom-
ination Of which he was formerly a fninirer
and is now being vehemently disputed by GER
tain persons in the denomination which he re-
Gently joined. But II needs hardly to be said
that in this place no cognzance can be taken
OF this purely ecclesiastical question. Our only
concern is to decide how DR.. Briggs. the Biblical
scholar. has acquitted himself Of the task he set
out to perform; namely, to give. without fear or
favor. the approved conclusions Of modern Bibli-
cal scholarship concerning the Bible. 1t gives
US pleasure 10 say that this American, who
stands easily among the foremost Biblical schol-
ars Of the age. has done his work thoroughly
and we'll No competent 10 pass Judgment
on the question can read this learned and illum-
mating volume without feeling that It has added
much to the stock Of knowledge concerning the
Bible It transports the reader out OF the fever
ish atmosphere of sectaran lOgOmachy. where
partisans shout shibboleths at each other in a
very frenzy Of passion. 10 the calm atmosphere
Of investigation. where the truth and the truth
alone is sought. no matter what views or tradi
tions it may controvert. DR.. Briggs is an orig.
inal scholar in his chosen department of study
But like every true scholar, he has assimilated
the work of others. who have worked along the
same lines so that in this volume may fnd
a comprehensive summary of the whole field Of
modern Biblical criticism.
But far more important than the specific con
clusions OF modern Biblical criticism en-
bodied in DR.. Briggss book is the scientific
method adopted by Biblical critics. That meth
Cd in brief is to study the Bible in the light o
all facts, external well as internal, that arr