The Fundamentals - Torrey - XXI - Chapter 19 (My experience with higher criticism)

Required reading
The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 19 (My experience with higher criticism).

My summary
This week Reeve gives us an overview of his own personal experience of higher criticism and subsequent rejection of it.

Firstly he shows us that the presuppostions of higher criticism are the determining elements in the entire movement.  And the presupposition that dominates is the hypothesis of evolution: 'The vision of a cosmos developing from the lowest types and stages upward through beast and man to higher and better man is enchanting and almost overwhelming.'

Secondly Reeve discusses the methods of higher criticism, particularly their constant appeal to the 'Redactor' to explain all Biblical difficulties.

Thirdly Reeve explains that the spirit of the movement is philosophical rather than religious, and therefore essentially scholastic and rationalistic.

Fourthly Reeve shows that the results of higher criticism speak for itself: 'Ten or twenty years ago these scholars believed their views would immensely advance the cause of Christianity and true religion. They are by no means so sure of that now. It is not meeting with the universal acceptance they anticipated.'

What grabbed me
I really warmed to this chapter.  So many parts of it were immensely quotable.

Here is just one great quote: 'I found that the critics' claim to possess the only really scientific method was slightly true but largely false. His' results were scientific because they fitted his hypothesis. The Christan scholar with his broader presuppositions was peremptorily ruled out of court. Anything savoring of the miraculous, etc., could not be scientific to the critic, and hence it could not be true, therefore, it must be discarded or branded as Myth, Legend, Poesy, Saga, etc. Such narrowness of view is scarcely credible on the part of scholars who claim to be so broad and liberal.'

Higher criticism does not practice true science.  It is simply not open to all hypotheses.

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 1 of Volume II (The inspiration of the Bible-Definition extent and proof) by reading up to the heading 'III. Proof of inspiration'.

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