The Fundamentals - Torrey - IX - Chapter 8 commenced (The tabernacle in the wilderness: did it exist?)

Required reading
The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 8 (The tabernacle in the wilderness: did it exist?) by reading up to the paragraph beginning with the heading, 'VIII. Positive Biblical evidences'.

My summary
This week we begin an interesting chapter looking at the evidence for the existence of the tabernacle.

Firstly Heagle states the two positions on the existence of the tabernacle: 'Thus we have presented to us two widely different and opposing views respecting the Tabernacle's existence. One of them, which is the view of at least most higher critics is that this old structure never existed at all; while, on the other hand, the orthodox and Biblical conception is that not only in the days of Moses but long afterwards this fabric had a most interesting and important history. Which, then, of these two so widely different doctrines are we pleased to accept?'

Heagle then outlines the importance of the discussion and some presumptions of the high critics.

Then Heagle goes on the attack by providing some external evidence for the existence of the tabernacle.

What grabbed me
I continue to enjoy the point that when the higher critics undermine the Old Testament, they also undermine the New Testament: 'And here, if we choose to go farther, it might be shown that, if this peculiar doctrine is true, then the Savior and all of his Apostles were mistaken. For certainly Christ (see Matt. 12:3, 4) and perhaps all the Apostles without exception, did believe in the Tabernacle as a real existence ; and one of the Apostles, or at least an apostolic writer, went so far, in the Book of Hebrews, as to compose what may be termed an extensive and inspired commentary on that sacred structure on its apartments, furniture, priesthood and services; bringing out particularly, from a Christian point of view, the rich typical significance of all those matters. Now that all these inspired men and the Savior Himself should either have been themselves deceived or should try to deceive others with regard to an important matter of Old Testament history is surely incredible.'

If the tabernacle didn't exist, then you definitely have to delete the book of Hebrews from your New Testament.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 8 (The tabernacle in the wilderness: did it exist?) by reading up to the paragraph beginning with the heading, 'XI. Objections of the higher critics'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.