Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-16
SOME HIGHER
CRITICISM
HOLDS MIRACLES AND SUPER.
NATURAL ELEMENT IN CHRST'S
LIFE PROOFLESS.

Chicago, Feb. 12.-Biblical teach
ings embracing the range of orthodox
Christian doctrines are attacked with
the weapns of higher criticism" and
liberalism by George B. Foster, pro.
fessor OF the philosophy of religion at
the University of Chicago. in book
on THE Finally of the Christian Re-
llgion" published today
Accepted belief in the Bible as an
inspired document and in Christianity
as an historical religion is declared
fa'se by DR.. Foster. Other Christian
tenets held to be without proof are
the biblical miracles. the immaculate
conception of Christ, the bodily resur-
rection of Christ and the mass of
supernatural elements ascribed to the
scriptures.
The volume which was issued by
the University of Chicago Press. rep.
resents the latest contribution to the
deCennial publications. and is design.
ed as an arraignment of authority
religion which. according to the au-
thor, us in full force in all our de
nominations in some parts of the
country and in some of our denomina-
tons in all parts of the country"
inspiration Denied.
''Insprration of the book is untrue
historically and psychologically."
writes DR.. Foster in refutaton of the
claim that the scriptures were COM
posed under immediate divine guild
anCe THE watchword. christianity
is a historical religion is superficial
ly true, but fundamentally false. 1t
means that Christianity is a religion
OF historical facts-not so very many
and not so very certain. neither so
many nor so certain as they used to
be-whereas it is at bottom a religion
of spirit and personality
The evidential value of miracles is
the mainstay of authority religion.
Miraculous narratives. like the bibii
cal, originating from no observer who
possessed sufficient knowledge Of the
relations and laws of nature to have
right to pronounce upon such mat
tiers, have no scientific importance
And the orthodox exaction of faith in
stories out of religion with everything
we know must forever be no less an
tagonistic to the high activities OF
true faith than it is stultifying to
science and common sense. An ntel
llgent man who now affirms his faith
i'll such stories as actual facts can
hardly know what intellectual hon
esty means.
Doubts Christ's Birth.
In questioning the common theory OF
the imma culate conception. Dr. Foster
calls attention to the scientific eXpla
nations which have been advanced
but declares them unsatisfactory.
The Importance attached to the
bodily resurrection is far out of pro
prtion to the evidence therefor" he
continues. "The narratives yielding
fiuctuating image which alludes al
assured evaluation. Shall We base
oul highest and hottest. our whole
religious lie, on an occurrence Of
which no oen can make a perfectly
distinct picture? 1t is. indeed. nee
essary that We build our salvation OF
this occurrence?
THUS the untentablity and imprac
ticability of the scriptures as {
whole become apparent. And if thu
valuation of the normal be sough
by assuming the miraculous inspira
ton of the scriptures. the futility o
such a makeshift has been alread,
sufficiently considered in forme
connection"
III his Introduction, Professor Eos
ter raises a doubt as to whether O.
not Christianity will continue as tn,
| highest form of religion