Some Modern Criticism by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 24, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 28.

Some Modern Criticism.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

THE apostle Paul wrote that "whatsoever things were written aforetime [referring to the Old Testament Scriptures] were written for our learning," Rom. 15:4. It would seem that the modern expositor reads it, "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our criticism." And in his case the word "criticism" means to pull to pieces, and not simply to weigh and judge. In the great struggle to make the Bible harmonize with "science," the subject of miracles has of course been much discussed. Now it happens that "science" has no place in its domain for miracles, and it has therefore occurred as a necessary consequence of the intense desire that the Bible shall not be regarded as being behind the age, that its avowed friends have quite generally set themselves to work to explain all supposed miracles in accordance with "known natural laws." The latest effort disposes of the miracle of the sun's standing still at the command of Joshua in the following manner:—

"A writer in the Church Quarterly Review maintains that what the Israelitish leader prayed for was not that the sun and moon might 'stand still,' but that they might 'be silent'—that is to say, 'cease to shine'—dom shemesh, as the Hebrew text has it. A storm of hail-stones was the principal cause of the defeat of the allied kings. Joshua, finding that the storm and darkness by which it was accompanied did more toward the overthrow of the enemy than his own troops, naturally prayed that the darkness might continue until the utter ruin of the foe was accomplished. The formidable astronomical objections to the miracle are thus removed by a simple philological discovery, which the reader may accept or not, at his pleasure."

We are glad that the Christian at Work, from which we clip the above, gives us the privilege of accepting it or not, as we choose. We choose to give such nonsense a wide berth. We are greatly surprised that that journal, and others which lay claim to great Biblical knowledge, should quote with approval a theory which is so directly contradictory to the plain Scripture narrative. It is simply a proof that there is a wide-spread desire to strip the Bible of everything which stands in the way of its acceptance by a self-sufficient, unbelieving world—in other words, to make the way of life so broad that all will find themselves in it without making any effort.

How does this explanation agree with the Bible? Let us see. Our critic says that the sun was simply darkened during the day; the Bible says, "So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hasted not to go down about a whole day." We have seen many stormy days when the sun did not shine, but the sun always set at the appointed time. In this instance the sun did not go down, according to Joshua's command; but if darkness were what he wished, he would with more propriety have prayed that the sun might hasten its going down, instead of that its course should be stayed.

Again, the sacred historian declares: "And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man," Josh. 10:14. If the answer to Joshua's prayer consisted simply in the Lord sending a storm and darkness, we cannot understand this statement, for there have been many stormy days since then; but we can well believe that never since that time has there been so extraordinary an occurrence as the sun standing still for a whole day. It will be clearly seen that if the critic had read the entire narrative carefully, his criticism could not have been made.

"But," says one, how do you explain that miracle?" We don't explain it; it is entirely beyond our capacity, and that is why we call it a miracle. There are some wonderful things that we can account for, but we do not call them miracles. We believe in a God, and therefore we believe in miracles—things entirely beyond the comprehension of human minds. The desire to find an explanation for all the recorded miracles in the Bible, arises from a growing unbelief that such things really occur; and to deny the occurrence of miracles is really the same as denying the existence of God.

Perhaps this last statement may not be self-evident to all; we think it can easily be made to appear. God is greater than man; if he were not, he would be simply a man, and therefore not an object of worship. But he is infinite. "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?" Job 11:7. This question can be answered only in the negative. God is incomprehensible. Then of course his acts must be above the comprehension of man. Paul had thought much on heavenly things, and had been admitted into close communion with the Lord, and he exclaimed, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out," Rom. 11:33. This is only in keeping with what we should expect. Finite minds cannot grasp infinity. Then of course there must be miracles, and when many things are recorded, all of which are beyond our comprehension, who shall say that some of these are possible and others impossible? Who will dare to limit the power of an infinite God?

"But," says another, do you believe that God violates the laws of nature, in performing miracles?" Again we reply, We do not know; it is impossible to tell. We are very certain that he has often done things that directly conflict with any laws known to man. But then there are many things that even scientific men do not know. So long as we cannot understand God, we cannot understand the laws of nature, for they are his laws. Things that seem impossible to us, may be in perfect harmony with laws of which we know nothing. When the Dutch ambassador told the king of Siam that in his country water sometimes assumed such a condition that men could walk upon it, the king said, "I have often thought that you were untruthful, but now I know you lie. It is impossible for men to walk upon water." Doubtless the king's scientific men would have said the same thing, and proved it by science. It is contrary to the nature of a clock for the hands to move backward, and yet a man can move them backward. The child gazes with wonder upon the steam engine, and cannot comprehend how the engineer can start, stop, or back it at pleasure; but it would be foolishness in him to assert that those things cannot be done. Well, this universe is the great machine which God has made, and which he controls. Between the mind of man and that of the great Architect, there is no more comparison than there is between the ant beside the track, and the man who drives the engine. And so, instead of denying the existence of miracles, we are lost in wonder and admiration of the power that is as infinitely beyond us.

And now a few words by way of application. Some will say, "We did not need this article, for we believe in the miracles of the Bible just as they are recorded." We are glad of that. But would not such an article as the one from which we have quoted shake your faith? "No." Why not? Because it directly contradicts the Bible." But do you profess to know more about the Bible than a learned D. D., who has spent a life-time in its study, and who understands the Hebrew and Greek? You reply, "I can understand the English language, and I know when a man is contradicting the plain statement of the Bible." Then you are willing to admit that "great men are not always wise," and that even learned men may be led by their prejudices into grievous and palpable errors? "Certainly." Well this is just what we wish to have you bear in mind. And now whenever you hear some wise man say that God did not bless and sanctify the seventh day, but only the Sabbath institution, and that he now requires men to observe the first day instead of the seventh, don't be overawed into acquiescence by the immensity of his learning, but simply ask him for his authority. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.