El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-17
METHODIsTS HAVE HIGHER
CRITICISM TEMPEST ON HAN


MethOdists have on hand a higher
criticism tempest that is altogether too
large and too fierce for the traditional
teapot. An attack has been made upon
publications Of the Methodist BOOB
Concern. which has headquarters in
New York and Cincinnati and branch
concerns in Chicago and some other
cities. Incidentally a book issued last
year by the Rev DIT. George P Mains,
one of the agents. is attacked. This
book sets forth higher criticism of the
bible to date, and indOrses to the limit
the findings Of the German critics.
who lead everybody else to date IN
biblical criticism The book concern
attacks some members Of district con-
ferences. one Of which has named a
committee to look into the character
OF concern publications
Starting % years ago in Germany,
and reaching America q little later IN
the famous Briggs controversy in the
Pres byterian church, there has ragged
a biblical controversy that at times has
attracted marked notice, and at other
times has been reported to be dead.
Now it is claimed by the Rev. Dr..
Mains and men of his way of thinking
that the higher critics have fought and
won their battle It is admitted that
much remains to be done, but the
Methodist Book concern agent COM
pares all who do not know what has
become Of the bible in these modern
times to theological Rip Van Wrinkles
Naturally the conservatives resent the
classification. and hence the disturb
auce.
The Rev. Dr. Mains sets down
achievements OF higher criticism to
date. For the incredible dOgmas Ct
verbal Inspiration says he, higher
criticism has substituted a credible
conception Of the bible as the sublime
record Of the divine education OF the
human race. It has traced the devel-
opment Of the religious conceptions
and Institutions OF Israel in a rational
order. Moving the old testament's cen
ter Of gravity from the law to tne
prophets. IL has proved that the his
tory Of Israel is really 4 history OF
prophecy. Tt has made a sharp and
clear distinction between historical
and imaginative writing and so en-
HANGED the value OF both 1t has eX-
planned the moral and theological cru
dities Of the bible as the early phases
OF a gradual religious evolution It has
denuded the desert pilgrims Of literary
glory only TO enrich the exile. For Il
religious history that looked like an
inverted pyramid il has given US one
which is comparable to an ever broad
eninE stream
'Tu the new testament criticism has
thrown a flood Of light on Paul, Sc
cured the canOnicity of Jude, second
Peter and second and third John. but
has not vet solved the question Of the
identity of the author Of the, fourth
gospel. the DOOk OF TeFeLaLlolS ana LAit
first epistIe Of St. John. It Is absurd
to make a DOGGY of this criticism. and
call it bible mutilatiOn. These results
are accepted by the leading chairs IN
all Methodist seminarics. and in uni
versities in which Methodist influence
is largest. Wherever there is broad
scholarship there is acceptance OF
these findings The bible is coming
into its own"
In Methodism it is stated that Drew
seminary. which has just secured a
new president in the Rev. Dr. F. s
Triple, is the leader in this modern
thought. together with most Of the
younger Methodist ministers coming
from all seminaries. Conservatives,
those who stand for the bible as it is,
are preparing replies. to be issued next
week They are disputing the state
ment that higher criticism has Won
out. sunday school literature in the
Methodist and most other churches IS
involved to some extent. Predictions
are heard in many quarters that BID
lical criticism controversy Is imme-
diately ahead; one that may involve
more than MethOdists.