BIBLE MYTHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 9

BIBLE MYTHS

Startling Criticism By Scholars EPOCHAL WORK (United P.A. —By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and -V.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9 a.m. LONDON, Friday. The “Daily Mail” is featuring an epoch in Bible criticism, which is the work of some of the most learned and most devout scholars of the Anglican communion, and in which certain longaccepted Biblical stories are declared to be myths. The editor is Dr. Charles Gore, the greatest living English theologian, assisted by Canon Henry L. Goudge, with the Rev. Alfred Guillaume. The Book points out that the Bible stories such as the flood, turning Lot's wife into a pillar of salt, are declared to be simply symbols. While the Book contains few surprises to anyone acquainted with the trend of higher criticism and the views of Liberal churchmen, many of its statements are likely to shock orthodox people. Among the opinions of the contributors are that Genesis is legendary, and Isaiah largely a compilation, that the idea of the Garden of Eden is common to more than one primitive race, that Methuselah’s age was physiologically incompatible with the structure of the human body, and so forth. The evidence of Christ’s existence and resurrection is, however, regarded as overwhelming.

The Rt. Rev. Charles Gore, a man of brilliant scholarship, has been Bishop of Worcester. Bishop of Birmingham, and Bishop of Oxford. He has written many works on religious Questions. Canon Goudge has been Regius Professor of Divinity in Oxford University since 1923. Tile Rev. Alfred Guillaume lias been Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages in Durham University since 1920.