Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-08
THE OLD TESTAMENT.
An Estimate Of It's Value According to
the Gospels.

From the Literary Digest
After the higher criticism has had its say.
after we have readjusted our thought of
the Bible in accordance with the fullest
knowledge Of today. what place shall be
assigned to the Old Testament in its rela-
tion to Christian beliefs? This question is
a vital one in religious circles today. It Is
occupying the minds Of eminent German
theological scholars. and forms the subject
OF much Of the most debatable matter in
Dr. Cheynes newly published "Encyclope-
dta Biblica." A notable address on this
question was recently made by Prof. Fran
CTS Brown OF the Union Theological Sem
mary, New York. and is now published, to-
gether with addresses by two Of his COL
leagues, In book form under the title. 1.-The
Christian Point Of View" Prof Brown en-
deayors to estimate 1.-THE Religious Value
OF the Old Testament'-not so much by the
usual critical methods as by the application
to the Old Testament of New Testament
standards. He writes:
What is the test OF the Old Testament as
religious authority? It can surely be no
other than the universal Christian test.
II Jesus Christ Is the supreme reve-
!ation OF God. SO that all doctrines, opfn-
Ions. rules and practices which claim to he
OF God must conform to His teachings, life
and spirit In order to establish the claim,
then the teachings. life and spirit Of Jesus
Christ are the only tombstone by which we
Yah fecoeui1e the rel1gf0uS value OF the Old
Testament, among the rest. Whatever ac-
cords with the teachings. purpose and spirit
of Jesus Christ has religious value for ia
whatever does not accord with these lacks
religious value for us. whether It stands In
the Old Testament or in day before yester-
days sermon.
Prof. Brown proceeds to q practical Inns
trati0n Of this principle:
In the field of doctrine we may illustrate
the matter by the character OF Cod as
SHOWN In the Old Testament When we
sum up the impressions and teachinrs
ABOUT the God of the ancient Hebrews the
general result Is very definite. We find a
personal Being. of great majesty dignity
and power. the Creator and Ruler Of men.
a Being OF holiness and transcendence. q
Being OF Righteousness who promotes
righteousness in others and Furnishes every
preach OF 1t, whose government is a moral
there Is no appeal; a Being Of kindness. ten.
derness and heipfulness. with gracious care
for those who confide in Him, whose plans
are at length to be worked out and His de-
slres realized In the unity of men under His
benevolent sway. amid the exhibition of the
divine giories of righteousness and unfver-
sal peace. With each stroke of this draw
Ing the New Testament picture Is in accord
To this extent the spirit and teaching OF
Jesus Christ indorse the older revelation
But when we study certain portions Of
the Old Testament by themselves the I'm
precision is somewhat different We fnd
that. over large area of history, God APP
pears to care for one small people alone.
The region of His power II simply the re-
gson OF that peoples communal and ma
tiOnal life. Elsewhere other gods are ruliag.
Moreover. for a time. the function Of YAH
web Is not so much to secure his peoples
righteou6ueSS as to give them sl1cceaa In