Bible is still the most popular book.
Although an ever increasing number continue to disregard
Two erroneous ideas.
1. Believe all
· Authority
· Authentic
· Supernatural
· Infallible
2. Believe Nothing
· Specially written to delude
· Capitalistic Production
3. Latter position forced by the Believe all
· If Galileo then no Bible
· If Copernicus then no Bible
· If Darwin then no Bible
· If Higher Criticism then no Bible
Have been taken at word.
a) Unreal and false conception
b) Unwarrantable method of application
Texts.
New England Minister.
“It was a chance that did it”
(against Calvinism)
Pagan priest’s estimate of a pestilence which a Jewish prophet regarded as Divine Visitation.
Supreme Court Judge, New York.
In a judicial opinion: --
“We have the highest authority for saying - A skin for a skin, yea all man hath will he give for his life.”
Devil.
“Lord, Watch between me and Thee when we are absent one from another”
Old creeds built on such a foundation as this
Work of Higher and Lower Critics.
Opposed by the church.
Christians are responsible for the Atheists. (Struggle against Science Geology - Genesis.)
Modern Criticism has reestablished the Bible.

1) Something of How it Came.
1. Did not drop from the clouds.
Sixty six different books
Many different writers.
2. Spread over 1400 years.
3. Written in three different languages: -- Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
4. Was not all canonized at once among the Hebrews
a) Law
b) Prophets
c) Hagiography (writings)
5. That the authority and authenticity ascribed to it does not exist.

In England - Translated by Wickliff and Tyndall then by Bishops, and finally authorized.
The authority of this work is not secured by canonizing.

2) Classification of Literature
We must settle whether this is a book or a library
If you cannot believe some outlandish thing or other, you must disregard all.
Illustrate with library.
1. History. How written.
No quotation marks or foot notes.
2. Law. Ecclesiastical and Civic. How made.
3. Fiction. (Historical Novels). Ruth. Esther.
4. Drama. Love Drama. - Song of Songs. Drama. Job.
5. Hymns - poetry - Psalms.
6. Wisdom - Ethical Culture. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
7. Prophecy - Writings of speakers. Reformers. And statesman.
8. Biography - Gospels.
9. Epistles.
10. Philosophy in Allegory - Revelations.
a) This view removes the perplexities brought about by considering all of equal authority and value. (False in one False in all.)
b) The Unity and Permanence more strongly established by virtue of many and varied witnesses.
c) This is a Library written
· At different times
· At different places
· By different men
· For different purposes.
d) The unity—the interpretation of the religious life of a great people as given by man in many capacities.

Its Permanent Value
Can never estimate all
The best of our civilization is the translation of the ethical principles of the ages as expressed therein.
Splendid record of Human experiences.
as varied as experience.
We perceive and feel the same Life—truths as they felt, and saw.
They all speak of One God.
Feel the Divine Quest for Truth and longing for righteousness.
Tell us that God is on the side of righteousness
An unveiling of God in Human experience , that all human experience may be full of God.