THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3673, 2 October 1880, Page 1

THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Ste, —In testing the internal evidence of the authenticity of the scriptures, it is desirable to bear in. mind that their beautiful and rational precepts are not original. The system of morals pro* fessed in the New Testament contains no maxim which bad not previously been enunciated, in fact, some of the most beautiful passages in the Apostles' j writings are quotations from Pagan authors. Scholars well know that the brotherhood of man was taught by Aratus, Aurelius, Cicero, Seneca. The Fatherhood of God, by Cleanthes, Epectatus, Uesiod, Homer, Horace, and Philo. In the Kigveda and Talmud, doctrines of lore, in Plato goodness. The central point in Christ's teaching is the kingdom of God, and him righteousness, which put in the language of to-day means the' prevailing in man's heart and thoughts Of reverence and obedience to God by willing servants—or the reign amongst mankind of the hjgher life. According to others it is the atonement and Deity of Christ, * the doctrine of elective grace and justification, miracles, and apostolic succession which are the foundations of Christianity, the front and head of theologies, sung in hymns and spoken in sermons. The life of Christ as drawn by the Synoptics, and His sermon on the mount, His answer to Nicodimus, His parables, form the leading thought (leaving out our selfish theology) ' in the doctrine of individual salvation; ' thus neither Christianity nor Christ is understood. It was enthusiasm that animated Christ and Paul. Endless mis--1 understandings and controversies would have been avoided if persons on both sides bad clearly defined what they did or did not understand by certain words. The answer to " What is a Christian P " thousands of definitions have been given. Mr Laisbley tells us that Christianity is the miracles and doctrines of Christ, this is the most popular definition and is largely used in theological works, but affords no satisfaction, because, as I have previously shown, we have no positively correct .version of what Jesus said or did. Let us endeavour to test the authenticity of Christ's teaching by the conformity to it of professing Christians. Ist. Not to swear, " Swear not at all," and James says "Swear not, neither by the heavens '.neither by the earth, neither by any other oath, but let your communications be yea yea, nay nay." Where is the court of law that declines to administer the oath P Why even amongst the immediate followers of Christ we find Paul dealing forth his anathema maranatha; ib it not rather tbe free thinker, like the present member for Nottingham, who intelligently and conscientiously obeys this command I rather than the Christian. 2nd. " Resist j not evil but whosoever shalt strike thee j on one cheek turn to him the other." ! What set of Christians practise this? Was he practising what he preached when Jesus expelled the money-changers ? 3rd. Jesus commands us "to take no thought for the morrow," but model our habits upon the lilies which toil not; in this respect our most complete Christians are loafers and idlers. 4th. Jesus, commends the practise of eunuchism. These. Christians are so limited that I don't think one of them could be found. sth. We are told that true disciples : must hate father, mother, sister, brother, and all that he bath. Those who conform to the first part of this command will be found in all departments of life. In modern society the virtues of piety and filial lore are by no means predominant, but the class of men that hate all they have is especially small, while he who thoroughly hates his relatives is ostracised by all d.ceut people. 6th. $Ten are directed to lend hoping for nothing again ; to give to him that seeks ; from him that** would borrow to turn not away. In this life, teeming with banking institutions and " monts de pete," Christianity must be at a heavy discount. 7th. Faith is demanded of us—not having which we shall be damned, but having which, we shall cast, out devils, speak with new tongues, heal the siotr, and handle poisonous serpents without injury. These and \ many more commands show that' if ! Christianity means following or conforming to such teaching, persons of that faith are few and far between, and therefore sadly weaken the evidence of authenticity.—l am, &c, Scenic.