Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII THE INFLUENCE OF THE HISTORICAL AND LITERARY CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE I. AS CONCERNS THE NEW TESTAMENT Of the mainly intellectual influences on theology, the most important must be that of historical criticism, for Christianity is, and claims to be, preeminently a historical religion. The general outcome of historical and literary criticism so far as it concerns the New Testament is certainly thought to be reassuring, --to have given us stronger and better reasons for our faith in Christ. Very few, probably, would question that Christianity as a historical religion is in a far more defensible position now than sixtyfive years ago It would not be at all true to say that traditional views concerning the New Testament have not changed within this period; they have changed, --greatly and on many points. Doubtless, too, the battle in the New Testament field is not done, as the determined efforts still making in many quarters to eliminate the miraculous plainly show; with this question we have already dealt. But, taking full account of all questions that in any fairness may be considered still open, it cannot be doubted that the result of the constant discussion since Strauss' Life of Jesus, in 1835, has been to make clearer than ever the solid historical basis of Christianity, and the incomparable position of Christ as the supreme person of history. And with the meaning of this latter fact for theology we shall have later to deal. The question that is just now of seeming greater concern to the Church is the application of essentially the same historical and literary criticism to the books of the Old Testament. And, if it is the business of a theologian to recognize especially the difficulties of his own times, the theologian of.