The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-25
WORLD OF
RELIGION
Higher Criticism in the
Schools.
LETTER TO A CARDINAL
Oldest Missionary Society in the
World--Two Views of the De-
cline Of theology.

DDS and results, there has been consider
able discussion as TO whether these
should be regarded as a sort of esoteric
teachings of the colleges and schools.
While this subject has been under dis
cussion, some have already acted in the
premises. and in some of the gymaasia
or colleges Of Germany, where religion
constitutes as fixed part of the curri-
crlum as do the classics and mathematics,
the higher criticism has already found it's
way. The Neue- Kircnen Zeitung (Cott-
bus, No. 12), publishes, the editor as
sures US, almost verbatim from the ex-
animation papers of Berlin gymnasium
the following popularization of the teach
ings of the new criticism in catechetical
form:
Question. What can you tell me about
the history of the old covenant in gem
eIal?
Answer. The history OF the people of
Israel begins with Moses. All the So
called patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, down to Joshua, are legendary
characters. Their history is to be under
stood allegorically. The POLITICALLY inclin-
ed people of the Orient We're accustomed
tic clothe their religious. ideas in such per-
isonal forms. Moses delivered the Israel
litish tribes from Egyptian bondage and
gave them new religion.
20. But what are We to think of the
manner in which Paul makes use of the
history of the Patriarchs? Does he not
icor slider them historical persons?
"a Certainly; but in this matter he
shared the prejudices of his age.
| %. What can you tell me about the
Mosaic religion?
"A. This consisted in the worship of
Jehovah, spiritual being whose funda-
mental character was justice, and who
hat. no associates Altar, sacrifices, and
priests We're remnants of heathendom.
Everybody was allowed to sacrifice. The
order of priests and their privileges were
developed in a later age The priestly
families as a rule belonged to the tribe
iof Levi. The Tabernacle and the high
priest were legendary, as far as the pre-
exile period is concerned, but the ark
was an old institution and originally was
found in Shilo. The so-called religious
festivals We're really agricultural celebra-
Itions.
20. What do you know of the HeXa-
lterch?
"A. This collection of books was writ
ten in the centuries from 400 to 400 B. c.
lit contains nothing written by Moses, and
lccrsists of three law books and two books
lof legendary histories. The earliest laws
are found in Deuteronomy, introduced
GIL b. c. for the Jews. The second is
lfound in Exodus and Levitcus, introduc-
ed by Ezra in 44i for the Jewish congre-
gation in Jerusalem. The three historical
lbCcks inclusive of Joshua, We're complet-
; ed about 400 p. c.
20. What can you say further con-
corning the history of Israel?
"A The various tribes conquered Pal
estine. each tribe Independently. Joshua
, is a legendary parsonage. The leaders of
Israel We're the so-called judges. Jeptha
sacrificed his own daughter. Samson is a
: myth representing the sun-god. David
was an energetic warrior. hero and poet;
for which reason the Psalms are ascribed
10 him.
60 What are we to think of Solomon
"a Solomon was noted as fratricide,
: was devoted to extreme luxury and to
his harem, and by his oppression of the
people was the type Of an Oriental despot
2 He erected for himself a palace and a
temple.
. % What were the relations between
, the divided kingdom of Israel and Judea
"A In the northern kingdom, Samaria,
the capital city, was the seat of two
powerful royal houses. The southern
kingdom, consisting only of judah and the
{ city of Jerusalem and number of vii
Elaees, was an entirely insignificant coun-
. try In the northern kingdom Elijah and
Elisha We're the leaders of a rebellion
lagainst the native kings. Jerusalem was
> lbesieged in 701 by Sennacherib. Only by
: accident was he compelled to retire. In
t the year 621 the temple becomes the only
T Legitimate shrine of worship. After the
, iexile the law is introduced by Ezra. The
Fundamental principle of Israers religion
is this that the righteous man will al
: ways be happy. How it happens that a
= righteous man is not always blessed Is a
n riddle that is left rrsolved by the book
$ of Job.
Sc IF hook q
iel?
"A This work dates from the year 16
z. 3. c., and is an appeal for battle against
e the Greek rule, the Seleucides, Antiochu;
It anc his successors. The book claims tina
. the Messianic kingdom is to be inaugur
. ated in a little more than year.
:, 20. And how about the New Cove
= nant?
e "A Christs activity took place in Cali
: lee. but John pictures it in Judea. Jesus
e with the conviction that he is the Mes
n lsiab, starts out to Jerusalem in order t
n overthrow Judaism. He dies the death o
la traitor. In His resurrection the disci
tples see the proof that he is the Messiah
u tanc expect his speedy return TO Judg
l. lnaent This is the gospel proclaimed o.
n the first apostles. They teach that imme
N diately after his death he arose again AM
IT assembled to heaven, ana they cohsldere'
- themselves as witnesses OF his resufrec
. ticn. From that time on they regar'
~ Jesus as their Lord.
- 20. How We 10 regard the gospels
W "A The first three, or the Synoptcs
are founded on two elements, namely, IN
sayings of the Lord, and the origina
!, Mark The gospel of John represent
~ Christ as the revealer of God. This booi
Is is full of allegories and was written II
m alexandria by Jewish Christian, prop
l. lably about loo A. d. The author know
tie nothing of Christ's being born in Bethie
> hem The gospel of John is the prodne
- of philosophical speculation, ana eve
=, such narratives as the story of the mar
~ rfage at Cana are to be understood allie
. gcrica1ly.
of 20. What are we 10 think of the boo
p of Acts2
Id "a 1t is claimed TO be the product Q
n Likes pen.
= 20. What is TO DE thought of the Lord
Supper? "A. 1t is an'historicai reminis
e lcence. The other mystical ideas whic
no are connected with it by Christians ar
% contrary to the spirit OF the Gospel
to 20. What do you know of the hrs
h persecution of the Christians under Nero
- "A. The Christians We're not persecu
- led ON account of their religion. but be
&c earse they were regarded as incendiai