The Failure of the Higher Criticism of the Bible.
By Emil Reich, Doctor Juris. Cloth, 204 pages; price, $1.00 net. Jennings and Graham, Cincinnati, Ohio; Eaton and Mains, New York. Doctor Reich is well qualified to discuss the subject upon which this book treats. He is the author of “Græco-Roman Institutions,” “Atlas of English History,” “Select Documents Illustrating Mediaeval and Modern History,” “Imperialism,” “Success among Nations,” “General History,” etc. But it may be safely said that none of his works is of more importance than his last, which is the outgrowth of two articles which appeared in the Contemporary Review in 1905, and three lectures given in Edinburgh, London, and elsewhere. The entire book is the result of a historic study of Higher Criticism extending over a period of many years. He tells us that he is not a clergyman, and has no intention of becoming one. He writes to serve the ends of no ecclesiastic party. Many years ago he fully believed in the “scientific character” of “Higher Criticism”; but in his deeper, wider researches he has come to the conclusion that Higher Criticism is bankrupt as a method of research, and pernicious as a teaching of religious truth.” He discusses the subject under five heads, as follows: “The Argument from the Masai Legends;” “The Argument from the Border Nations;” “The Argument from the Method. The Inquisitorial Principle;” “The Argument from the Theory of Names, of the Foreigner, and of the Myths;” “The Argument from the Prophets and the Theory of Personality.” All that we need to say is that Dr. Reich has done his work thoroughly and well. His arguments are learned, trenchant, conclusive. He has certainly in this little work demonstrated that “Higher Criticism stands condemned by history fully as much as by true religion. It is neither true nor helpful. It is the distortion of historic truth, as well as the desecration of true religion.” We advise all clergymen among our readers to purchase and read the book.