Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 589

Chap. Ill]

WHAT

§ 87.

ITS PRINCIPIUM

DEMANDS

565

popular, and that this grotesque representation of the Holy

Scripture found acceptance with the less thoughtful Scripture-proof seemed to

simple believers.

them

among

to be pre-

sented only by the quotation of some Bible verse that literally and fully expressed the given assertion. This is a severe

demand, which, on the other hand, excuses one from all further and, provided you but quote Scripture, does not inquire whether your citation is borrowed from the Old Testament or the New, whether it was spoken by Job or by his friends, or whether it occurs absolutely, or in application This makes the Bible your code, a concordto a given case. ance your register, and with the help of that register you quote from that code as occasion requires. investigation

It

;

needs scarcely be said that this

method

is

utterly

were the true method, the Holy Scripture would have to be an entirely differently compiled book from what it is. As to its facts, it should present an objectionable.

If

this

made up in notarial form. program of things to come with the indication of persons, place, time and succession of the several acts in the drama still to be performed. With respect to truth, it ought to present this in the form of a precisely formulated and systematically constructed dogmatic. And as for the rules of practice, you ought to find in the Holy Scripture a regular codification of a series of general and concretely applied directions, indicating what you should do and leave undone. This is no exaggeration. The question of the Holy accurate, precise, singular story

It

would have

to give the

Scripture involves nothing short of the question of a Divine

which imposes faith in facts and teachings, and subjection to rules and commandments. Hence your demonstration must be unimpeachable. And the method that is autJiority,

applicable only to an authenticated official report, a carefully

formulated confession and an accurately recorded law, must be objected to as long as it is not shown that the Scripture, from which the quotation is made, exhibits the character asserted.

contrary

If such, it is

however,

is

not the case, and

if

on the

certain that the whole disposition, nature

and

character of the Holy Scripture resemble in no particular

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