La Junta tribune., 1909-11-27
No Doctrine Held by Any Branch of the Christian
Chtrch But What Has Been Defended
By ScriDture
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST
By Scripture.


a changed point of view. The Uni.
tartan view is not essentially differ
ent from the view put forth by evan
gelical leaders. All of them practic-
ally have given up the idea OF infal-
libility as regards the Bible. In
spite of the teaching OF the leaders.
however, there are many who still
cling TO the idea that the Bible is
infallible in its statements. and that
1t states in every sentence truth
which is infallibly true and of eter-
nal benefit to man. There are those
who feel that the BIZ le is above
criticism: that We have no righ, to
try to trace its origin or question its
truth.
No InfalIibie Bible.
Now. as unitarians. We have Civ.
en- over for good the idea Of an in
fallible Bible. We do not think the
books or the verses OF the Bible are
all equally true or equally valuable
We do not think the Bible itself
makes any such claim. II does not
teach or assert its own freedom from
error. The very nature of the Bi.
BILE. a collection of books. written at
different times and for different pur-
poses and by different persons. makes
infallibility improbable II not impos-
sible. The books are colored by
the times and the character OF the
writers.
Professor Pearson was not long
ago forced out of the fellowship OF
the Methodist church. and out OF the
professorship in Northwestern Uni
versity. because he taught so direct
ly against the doctrine of infallibil.
ity. He said. In the address which
caused his withdrawal, that II the
church and theologians wished to
hold leadership on the thoughtful
part Of the community they must
throw aside the dogma OF an infal.
lible Bi lie as completely and frank
ly as Protestants have thrown aside
the dogma OF an infallible pope"
1t Is not held that there are infal-
lible declarations OF scientific. his
torical. literary, mechanical or other
knowledge OF principles. Nowhere
N n yAt oil 10 .ls.t ttyt.a h.g
infallible information and directions
have been given for mans benefit.
In every other attainment man has
grown by seeking to find the truth
by using imperfect knowledge. Is
there any reason why the method
OF human growth and welfare should
be reversed In reli sion?
II 1t be true that an infallible
standard Of historical and religious
truth has been gwen to man In the
Bible. II was given so blindly and
imperfectly that men could not read
(; alike, or could not learn the same
lessons from IT, II II must be infal-
lible II ought at least to be so clear
that II can be understood. The fact
is. however, that In religion as In
everything else. man has to use his
own faculties to find out the truth.
and that he expresses truth In the
terms and with the coloring Of his
own nature and conditions In the
Bible We have = large collection OF
expressions. interpretations. thoughts.
ideas-growing out OF the spiritual
consciousness OF men. Men spoke
as they were moved. AS they were
conditioned In regard to these deep
est and most mysterious relations OF
life. They were inspired men. In
spired by n desire for knowledge. for
power. for truth. inspired TO quick
and vital thought and understanding.
men with minds alert. prepared to
see certain things. lut though In.
spired. not. therefore. infsllible.
The inspired mind Is not infallible.
As Professor Pearson says. Every
message from heaven comes to TN
coiored and shaped and limited by
some mans personality. and must be