“Higher Criticism” Run Mad
THOSE scholars whose writings directly tend to lower the people’s regard for the Bible, and yet who are, strangely enough, called the “Higher Critics,” have seemed to vie with one another of late in their haste to repudiate those revealed truths which distinguish Christianity from a merely human philosophy. Each writer appears to crave the distinction of being considered more “liberal” in his views than any of his predecessors. The open expression of infidel sentiments by one who professes to accept Christianity is an easy way to gain a brief notoriety. In view of the character of the teaching found in some recently published books, we wonder what doctrine of any importance the next sensation-seeker will find still left for him to reject. About the only remaining step to be taken is to denounce the whole Bible as a forgery, and all the leading persons of historical Christianity, including Jesus himself, as mythical beings — probably astral myths. And yet there are so-called leaders of religious thought and publications of a wide influence ready to indorse the latest, and to us blasphemous, vagaries of these destroyers of the Christian faith. For example: in a recent issue of the Independent (New York) there is printed a review of a book entitled “The Prophet of Nazareth,” of which it is said that “the book will certainly find international recognition as an important contribution to the criticism of the Gospels, and indeed of the entire New Testament.” In giving the conclusions of the author, Nathaniel Schmidt, concerning some commonly accepted teachings of the Gospels, the Independent says:— He rejects the miracles imputed to Jesus, except cases of exorcism, as legendary and unhistorical. He thinks that Jesus was the son of Joseph and Mary, born in ordinary wedlock. He holds that the Nazarene instituted no sacraments, claimed no special authority over the Sabbath or over the beliefs of his brother men, and no privilege beyond that of any man, even in the forgiveness of sin. He rejects the account of the triumphal entry, argues that Jesus was crucified by the Jews, not by the Romans, and treats the resurrection as an appendix. In closing the review of this book, the Independent says:— For those thoughtful men who have been led by a process they could not prevent to put aside the value of miracles as evidence to faith, there is now Professor Schmidt’s strong assertion of the fitness of Jesus unto spiritual leadership, and for this we can not be too grateful. Thus after we have been asked to reject the combined testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John concerning the life and work of Jesus, the Independent thinks that “we can not be too grateful” to Professor Schmidt for permitting us to believe on his authority that Jesus was a good spiritual leader. We prefer to reserve our gratitude for more worthy uses. Another book which aims to destroy belief in the old-fashioned truths of Christianity has been written by a professor in the Chicago University. It is entitled “The Finality of the Christian Religion.” If the statements in the press concerning the teaching of this book can be relied upon, we must be near the finality of Christianity. “It denies the inspiration of the Bible; it shatters the belief in miracles; it ridicules the prophetic and revealed books; it says proof of the resurrection is lacking; it denies the truth of its historical basis.” If there is any other important doctrine which this critic does not deny, it must be because he overlooked it. When questioned by an interviewer concerning his belief in the personality of God, he said that “it seems advisable for most people to think of God in terms of personality.” We refer to these two books that our readers may know to what lengths “Higher Criticism” has gone in its attempt to undermine faith in the Word of God. It is a good example of the foolishness of human reason when it assumes the judgment-seat, and decides upon the credibility of revealed truth. How much more satisfying, both for time and for eternity, is the inspired assurance: “All scripture is given by inspiration4of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” We choose the Word of God rather than the opinions of men.