GENERAL BIBLICAL INTRODUCTION FROM GOD TO US by REV. H. S. MILLER, M. A. Second Edition, Revised 1940

[CHM edition w/ notes.]

PREFACE Webster says, .... Reasons.   There are good reasons for writing this book.   It is not simply an addition of one more book to the many; there are no "many."   The writer has taught the subject of General Biblical In- troduction for years, and he does not know of.... Scope.   From the beginning to the present day (1937), from GOD, giving His Word through the Holy Spirit through men to men (Inspiration), through the extensive subject of Canoncity and the Apocrypha, then through the subject of Genuineness, Authenticity, and Authority, embracing languages, writing, materials, original manuscripts, manuscript copies, catalogues, ancient versions, quota- tions from the fathers, mediaeval and modern versions to the great Authorized King James Verion (1769), to US, and beyond, through the private and [other] versions to the last one (1937). Need.   A knowledge of the subject is imperative.   The study is sadly neglected.   A few lectures in Bible Institutes, and not even this in church classes.   ....

.... But the Trouble is not all from the Outside.   Atheists and infidels are taking something of a rest now, while the preacher and the professor are carrying on their work, even more successfully.   The modern student, often from Christian homes and Christian churches, with faith in God and in the Bible, is placed at the mercy of these faith-wreckers who delight in... The Theme of Inspiration is often treated as a part of the- ology, and taught in that department.   .... Brevity.   We have made little attempt to be brief, aiming at completeness rather than brevity.   There are Outlines and Manuals which are useful if one does not want very much, but there is plenty to be said, and it takes time and space to say it.   When one does not have access to a large library, or does not have time for extensive re- search, it is....

Repetitions occur, and seem to be necessary in a work of this kind, where the same statement should be repeated in another con- nection.   Then, too, every teacher knows the value of repetition in fixing facts in the mind. Bible Study.   It is hoped that the book will not only furnish a comprehensive and somewhat complete view About the Bible, but that it will also contribute something to definite Bible study.   ... History.   Historical backgrounds are essential, and an- cient, mediaeval, modern, and church history as well as archaeologi- cal discoveries down to the present day, are well represented. Definitions, do not be afraid of them.   Learn them.   In this lazy and superficial age, people and even textbooks are avoiding definitions.   It seems now to be almost an.... Dates.   The two eyes of history are geography and chro- nology.   Dates are important to locate persons and events.   They are hooks to hang things on systematically.   ... Numbers.   Each paragraph is numbered with black type, and in the text each black type number refers to the main paragraph, figures in common type referring to subpoints.   Dates are in common type.

14.   Thanks.   I desire to thank my choice friend and colleague, Prof. A. B. Fow. of the N. Bible I., N. Y., for .... H. S. MILLER. January 1, 1937. .... H. S. MILLER. October 1, 1940.

CONTENTS PREFACE - - - - - - III-VI CONTENTS - - - - - - VII-XIV ...

PART ONE The Inspiration of the Scriptures

Chapter I GOD SPEAKING God Has Spoken.--He spoke in Old Testament times by (in) the prophets, His ancient spokesmen and writers (see 52), and in the New Testament times by (in) His Son and by them who heard: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Heb. 1:1, 2).   This message was "..." (Heb. 2:3, 4).   "..." (Luke 1:70).   "..." (Acts 3:21; see verse 18).   "the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)" (Rom. 1:1, 2). The Bible is God Speaking.--The Bible is not God, but it is God speaking.   He has spoken, and the Bible is the reuslt.   The entire Bible is God speaking, as will be shown.   He has spoken through the Holy Spirit through men to men.   "..." (2 Peter 1:21).   God has spoken "..." and unto the world through us.   Hence it is of the highest im- portance that we know whether or not we have the real Bible today, and if so, how it has come down to us. The Bible is a Revelation from God to Man.--Divine Revela- tion, in this sense, is the communication, by God to man, of those truths concerning Himself, His plans, and His will, and concerning man and his redemption, which could not have been known through nature, nor by intuition, nor by any process of reasoning, apart from supernatural aid.   ....

Theological Differences.--Just here lies the difference be- tween the atheist, the deist, and the theist; and the differences be- tween natural religion and revealed religion.   The... God has given to Man a Special Supernatural Revelation, a revelation of who and what God is, who and what man is, and what God has done for man.   This is a fact because A revelation is possible.   With God... A revelation is necessary.   (1) Although sinful man might, to a certain extent, realize, from....

A revelation is probable. A revelation is credible. A revelation is reasonable. A revelation is certain.   This we have in our wonderful Bible, which claims to be a revelation from God and whose claims are fully substantiated by its miracles, its fulfilled prophecy, the propagation of Christianity, the fruits of Christianity, and the satisfaction it brings to the human heart the world over.

Chapter II THE BIBLE THE MEANING OF THE NAME The English word "Bible" is derived from the Greek word biblion, which means a scroll, little book.   Biblion is derived from biblos, which means (1) the inner bark of the papyrus plant, a kind of reed which grew in warm countries, especially in Egypt, and from which the ancients made writing material.   From this, .... Names.--The word "Bible" is used to designate the collection of books of the Old and New Testament Scriptures recognized by and used in the Christian churches.   During the first....

THE GREAT DIVISIONS Two Divisions.--The Bible is divided into two great parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.   These names have been in common use since the.... The Term "Testament."-- THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT The Old Testament contains 39 books, divided according to

the nature of their contents into four divisions, with the 4th sub- divided into two: The Pentateuch, or Law (5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviti- cus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Historical (12 books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Poetical (5 books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Prophetical (17 books): 1. Major Prophets (5 books): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamenta- tions, Ezekiel, Daniel. 2. Minor Prophets (12 books): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Commonly, instead of four divisions and a subdivision, five great divisions are given: .... Strictly speaking, there are.... THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT The New Testament contains 27 books, which may be di- vided into three main divisions and several subdivisions.   The names of these divisions are helpful in indicating the character of the con- tents of the books. Historical (5 books): 1. Biographical: the Life of Christ (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

2. Church History (1 book): The Acts. Doctrinal and Practical (21 books): 1. Pauline Epistles (14 books): (1) Ecclesiastical--to the churches (9 books): Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colos- sians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians. (2) Pastoral--to pastors (3 books): 1 Timothy, 2 Timo- thy, Titus. (3) Personal (1 book): Philemon. (4) To Hebrew Christians (1 book): Hebrew.3 2. General Epistles (7 books): (1) To the Hebrew Christians (3 books): James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter. (2) John's Epistles (3 books): 1. General: 1 John. 2. Personal: 2 John, 3 John. (3) Jude's General Epistle. Prophetical (1 book): Revelation. BIBLE CHARACTERISTICS One Book.--While in a certain sense it is true that the Bible is "a library of books," a "divine library," and the like, yet in another and important sense it is one Book.   The 66 books, written by differ- ent human authors, are, in a real sense, 66 great chapters in the one great Book. One Subject.--The one great subject of this Book is Re- demption.   This subject is begun in Gen. 2:4, where the name LORD (Jehovah) God appears.   "LORD," in capital letters, refers to God as the Old Testament Redeemer and Blesser.   The subject is discussed and illustrated from various standpoints in the 66 "chapters," but the story of Redemption is not finished until the entire volume is com- pleted.   It includes the need of redemption, (the sin question), re- demption itself, full, complete, and final, and its results.   The unity and harmony of the book, written during the space of more than 1,500 years (from 1450 B. C. to 100 A. D.) are remarkable.   Law, history, poetry, prophecy, doctrine, worship, and practical exhortations, with the characters, illustrations, and arguments which they contain, all unite in making the story of Redemption the most fascinating and up-to-date story of all literature.    3The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not named, and its Pauline authorship is [not] questioned by [us].

One Author.--This Author is the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Sam. 23:1, 2; Acts 1:16; 28:25; etc.   (see 106- 108). Many Writers.--There were probably about 35 writers.   .... BIBLICAL LANGUAGES, TRANSLATIONS The Old Testament.--The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language, except parts of Ezra (4:8 to 6:12 and 7:12-26), about six chapters of Daniel (2:4 to 7:28), one verse in Jeremiah (10: 11), and two words in Genesis (31:47), which were written in Arama- ic (see 286, 288). The New Testament.--The New Testament was written in the Greek language, the common Greek of the day, the koinē (koinay; see 295, 296). Translations.--The Bible, as a whole or in parts, has been translated into [many] (in 2021) languages and dialects, ancient and mod- ern, and the work of translation still continues.   Wherever the Gospel goes, sinners are saved, and churches are formed, there spiritual food is required and the Word of God must be translated into the language of the people.   The Bibles which we use are translations. TEXT DIVISIONS Chapter and Verse.--The books which compose our Bible were, when written, not broken up into chapters and verses, as they are today.   The modern Chapter Divisions were probably made by Ste. Lan., ....   The modern Verse Divisions were first made by Robert Stephanus (Stephens) of Paris, a printer, for his Greek New Testament, published in 1551.   The first entire Bible in which these chapter and verse divisions were used was Stephen's edi- tion of the Latin Vulgate (1555).   The first English New Testament to have both chapter and verse divisions was the Geneva Bible (1560). Value.--These divisions are convenient for reference and quotation purposes; how could we do without them?   ...

.... Paragraphs.-- ITALICS, MARGINAL NOTES, AND REFERENCES Italics.--The use of italics, which first appeared in the Geneva New Testament and Bible (1557-60), has come down to us in the King James' Version[.] These italics, that is, words in italic letters, are not used for emphasis but to indicate words which [may] not [be] found in the original, but which are supplied by the translators.   These words are often im- portant in making clear the meaning and force of the original and the sense of the passage.   ....

Marginal Notes.--These valuable marginal notes (1) explain the meaning of proper names and other Greek and Hebrew words re- tained in the text; (2) explain words relating to money, weights, and measures; (3) suggest other good renderings of the same Hebrew and Greek words; (4) suggest a more literal or exact meaning for a word than an English idiom would permit in the text; (5) explain some obscure idiom or custom[.] Such notes are found, to some extent, in the King James' reference Bibles[.] References.--These are chapter and verse references to paral- lel passages, illustrative passages, similar teaching, topics, words, and explanations of various kinds found in other parts of the Bible.

Chapter III PRELIMINARY DEFINITIONS    27.   Biblical Introduction is the science which treats of the litera- ture of the Bible; its text, language, inspiration, canonicity, genuine- ness, authenticity, authority, and contents.   It is the science which treats of the critical questions concerning the Bible.    28.   Biblical Introduction has two branches: General Introduc- tion and Special Introduction.    29.   General Introduction deals with the Bible as a whole, and shows (1) how it came into existence, (2) how it has come down to us. It discusses (1) the inspiration of the Bible; whether it is from God or from man; (2) its canonicity; the origin, extent, and preservation of the canon; (3) its languages and text; (4) its genuineness and integrity; the manuscripts, versions, quotations from the [Believ]ers, and the [good] editions of its text; (5) its authenticity and credibility; (6) its authority.    30.   Special Introduction deals with the individual books of the Bible, and discusses their canonicity, integrity, authorship, time and place of composition, contents, purpose, and peculiarities.    31.   Criticism (Greek krinō, to judge) is the process of judging, testing, sifting, proving; the result being that of establishing, of modi- fying, or of reversing former teaching.    32.   Biblical Criticism is the science which seeks, by careful and detailed inquiry, to secure the exact words of the original manuscripts of the Bible from the external evidence of manuscripts, versions, and quotations, and to determine the composition, date, authorship, and historical value as judged by internal evidence.    33.   Biblical Criticism has two branches: Historical Criticism and Textual Criticism.    34.   Historical Criticism seeks to determine the age (date), au- thorship, composition, sources[?], character, and historical value of the documents, as judged by internal evidence.   This is done chiefly by a study of the documents themselves, although it does not hesitate to make use of the sciences of history, geography, ethnology, and ar- chaeology.   It deals with the contents of the Scriptures, and is con-

cerned with the questions of canonicity, genuineness, authenticity, and credibility of the books of the Bible.   It is sometimes called Hig. Criticism.    35.   Textual Criticism seeks to determine the exact and correct text of the Scriptures as it existed in the original documents, when ...it during the long process of copying and recopying.   It deals with the text.   It is sometimes called Lower Criticism.    36.   Destructive Higher Criticism.--Both....    37.   Text.--The term text, as used here, denotes a body of words which make up an edition of a document or work; it is the very words themselves.   ....    38.   A Critic is (1) one who examines and judges the qualities of a thing by a certain standard, or criterion; (2) a fault finder.   In the important science of Biblical Criticism the work of the critic, in the first sense of the term, is a legitimate, honorable, and necessary one. He has done his work honestly and well, has been faithful to his evidence, and has, as far as possible, given us an accurate reproduc- tion of the original; thereby giving to us a Bible which exalts Christ and satisfies the human heart.   The modern destructive higher critic may almost be classed as a fault finder.   ....

....    39.   The Subject of Biblical Introduction is important and fasci- nating.   It narrates the history of God's revelation to man.   It spans the distance from God in eternity to us at the present time.   The steps are: GOD--The Holy Spirit--human writers--original manuscripts-- manuscript copies--ancient versions--quotations from the [Believ]ers-- printed editons of the text--[good] versions--US.   From God to us.    40.   Divisions.--General Biblical Introduction may be divided into five great sections: Inspiration, Canonicity, Genuineness, Integri- ty, Authenticity and Credibility, the last two being considered togeth- er.    41.   Authority is the right to command and enforce obedience.    42.   Bible Authority is the right that the Bible has to command and enforce obedience because it is the infallible Word of God upon whom man is dependent and to whom he owes obedience.   Bible Au- thority is based upon the fact that the Bible is genuine, authentic, and inspired.

Chapter IV INSPIRATION, OR DIVINE AUTHORSHIP DEFINITIONS Inspiration, in general, is the act of breathing in.   The word is derived from two Latin words, "in" and "spiro," which mean to blow or breathe in or into.   It occurs.... Inspiration, as applied to the Bible, is the inbreathing of God into men, thus qualifying them to receive and communicate divine truth.   .... The Scriptures are not only inspired; they are God-inspired; the product of the all-powerful creative Breath of God, the same pow- er that created all the hosts of heaven (Ps. 33:6).   The writers of the Bible were God-inspired men (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Sam. 23:2) in order that they might give to us a God-inspired Book (2 Tim. 3:16). The Inspiration of the Scriptures is their divine origin and authority as they were originally given by God through the Spirit through men. Two Kinds of Matter.--Inspiration extends to the whole of the Scriptures, .... Revelation is the work of God by which He communicates facts and truths which were not known before.   This extends to his- tory, poetry, prophecy, and doctrine.   The first chapters of Genesis, the death of Moses, etc., are, .... Known Facts may come either (1) from personal observa- tion, or (2) from existing documents.   Ezra and Nehemiah, for ex- ample, used.... Revelation discovers new truth to men (see 1 Cor. 2:10, 11); Inspiration guides and controls the giving out of the truth (see 1 Cor. 2:13).   ....

Prophecy is the message from God through a prophet.   It does.... A Prophet was a person who spoke for God; he was a forth- teller, and some of them were also foretellers.   He had insight as well as foresight; he was an inspired, infallible, authoritative teacher of God's will.   He was essentially a preacher and a teacher.   .... Spiritual Illumination is the light upon and the insight into the Word of God which every Christian may have, and should have, from the Holy Spirit.   It is not inspiration.   Neither are ....

The Difference between Statements and Records of State- ments.--The Bible does not lie....

Chapter V THEORIES OF INSPIRATION FALSE THEORIES Many people say that they believe in the Inspiration of the Scriptures, but there are so many.... (1) Genius, or Natural Ins.--This is the theory that the Bible was.... Objections.--This dangerous theory (56) has....

(2) Degrees of Ins.-- Objections.--This theory (58) is.... (3) Ill., or Universal Christian Ins. (see 53).--This theory teaches that the writers of the Bible were.... (4) Inspired Concepts.--What the advocates of this popular theory are supposed to mean by this....

Objections.--This theory (61) makes the infallible God en- trust His infallible truth to.... (5) Partial Ins.--This theory teaches that the Bible is inspired in.... Objections.--This dangerous theory (63) is totally in con- flict with 2 Timothy 3:16, ....

(6) Occasional Ins.--This is a phase of Partial In- spiration.   It teaches that... (7) Verbal Dictation.--This theory teaches that every word of Scripture, in the original languages, was dictated by God to the writers just as the business or professional man would dictate to his stenographer.   It is sometimes called "Mechanical Inspiration."   It is often confused with Verbal Inspiration, .... Objections.--The Verbal Dictation theory practically denies the inspiration of the writers, and holds the....

THE TRUE DOCTRINE OF INSPIRATION Two Phases.--There are two phases of inspiration which, taken together, express the true Scripture teaching on the subject: Plenary Inspiration and Verbal Inspiration, or Plenary Verbal In- spiration. Plenary Inspiration.--The word "plenary" means full, com- plete, entire, extending to every part.   .... Verbal Inspiration.--"Verbal" means pertaining to words. .... Plenary, Verbal Inspiration means that every word in every part of the original manuscripts of the Bible is given by inspiration of God, or given by God through the Spirit.   .... God-given Words.--That God gave the Bible to man in words as well as thoughts can be abundantly proven.   A few sam- ples will suffice here.   His message to Moses was, ....

.... Sources of Bible Composition.--Remember that Plenary

Verbal Inspiration covers the selecting and accurate recording of the subject matter of the entire Bible, ....

Summary.--1. The Bible is not only a revelation from God; it is also the record of that revelation.   ....

Note the following valuable words from Dr. William Evans: "...."5 5Evans, The Book of Books, pages 35-37.

Chapter VI INSPIRATION IN GENERAL General Texts.--Among the many, there are six strong and important texts on the subject of Inspiration in general: .... (1) HEBREWS 1:1, 2; 2:3, 4 God Speaking.--"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Heb. 1:1, 2). These tremendous statements (Heb. 1:1, 2; 2:3, 4) cover the entire.... God has spoken to men in at least four....

.... (2) 2 TIMOTHY 3:16, 17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- eousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). This passage occurs at the end of a chapter which deals with the perils and warnings of the last days, when men shall fall away from truth and godliness.   .... The passage, when written, referred to the Old Testament Scriptures, but it later applied also to the New Testament which, as will be shown, came to be a recognized part of the whole Scriptures and included in the word "all."   It contains a subject, two statements, and a purpose clause. The subject: All Scripture. The statements:

The purpose: .... This valuable passage teaches in the plainest possible man- ner (1) The plenary inspiration of the Bible: "All."   (2) Its contents: "Scriptures," the entire Old Testament; then the New Testament. (3) Its divine authorship: "Given by inspiration of God."   The Greek word translated by these.... The Revised Version.--.... (7) The translation of the Revised Version is refuted by every other version, ancient and modern.   (8) ....   (9) Several members of the re- vision committee, such as Archbishop Trench, Bishops Moberly and Wordsworth, Dr. Tregelles, and others, condemned the translation and refused any responsibility in connection with it.   Dean Burgon pronounced it "the most astonishing as well as calamitous literary blunder of the age."   The great English scholar, Dr. Scrivener, called it a "blunder such as makes itself hopelessly condemned."   (10) It is condemned by many of the leading scholars today.

.... How much of our Bible is "Scripture"?   "All of it."   The proof of this statement will come later (96-122, 149-157). (3) 2 Peter 1:19-21 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpreta- tion.   For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [Spirit]" (2 Pet. 1:19-21). Value.--This passage represents.... Explanation.--Peter is here saying (verses 16-21) that his teaching concerning....

.... Importance.-- (4) JOHN 10:34-36 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?   If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God" (John 10:34-36)? It is not the strong argument of Jesus for His deity that con- cerns us here, but the fact that He appeals to the Scriptures under the word "law[.]"   He quotes from the Book of Psalms (82:6), which is not

in the law section of the Old Testament, and which does not contain .... (5) 1 PETER 1:10-12. "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost [Spirit] sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet. 1:10-12). These verses declare (1) that the theme of the Old Testa- ment prophets is salvation; (2) that they spoke and wrote beforehand concerning the grace that should come, in the sufferings of Christ and the glory after these sufferings, or concerning the cross, followed by the crown (see Luke 24:25-27); (3) that this salvation and grace would be....

.... (6) 2 SAMUEL 23:1, 2. "these be the last words of David.   David...the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD [Jehovah] spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:1, 2). Here is an Old Testament statement on the subject of in- spiration, a direct testimony of one of the inspired writers.   Nothing could be stronger than David's deathbed testimony as to the manner in which he received his messages.   ....

Chapter VII THE INSPIRATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT The Hebrew Classification.-- The Main Divisions, with the books in order, are three: Inspiration.--Each of these three divisions stands for itself, and the proof of the inspiration of any section of a division proves the inspiration of that division.   Yet we are not limited to the proof of any one section, but we are able to show the inspiration of each section, or subdivision; in fact, we can also prove.... Remember that the Bible is (1) God speaking, (2) God speaking through men, (3) God speaking through men to men, (4) God speaking through the Holy Spirit, (5) God speaking through the Holy Spirit through men, (6) God speaking through the Holy Spirit through men to men (see 1-3, 44). Equivalent Expressions.-- Proofs of Old Testament Inspiration.--The inspiration of the Old Testament may be proven in at least 12 different ways: (1) The general texts on the subject; (2) The divine origin of the writer's words, or the writer's words are God's words; (3) The work of the Holy Spirit in Inspiration; (4) The use of the Word .... 1. GENERAL TEXTS ON THE SUBJECT These texts, besides others, are: .... 2. THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE WRITERS' WORDS The Testimony of the Old Testament.--God spoke through the writers. The Law.--- The Prophets.--- The Writings.--- The Testimony of the New Testament. 1. God spoke through Old Testament writers whose names are mentioned: (1) Moses.   .... Summary.-- 3. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN INSPIRATION The Holy Spirit.-- General Texts.-- Individual Writers.-- 4. THE USE OF THE WORD "SCRIPTURE" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The words "Scripture" and "Scriptures" (Greek graphay and graphai) occur aa times (aa, with parallels) in the New Testa- ment.   Adding the word.... Summary.-- 5. THE EXPRESSION "IT IS WRITTEN" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT "It is Written" Summary.-- The Combined Expression.-- Scripture.--Under the terms... 6. OTHER NEW TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT In addition to Designated.-- Undesignated.-- The Sum of the General Summary.-- Books Used.-- Non-quotation References.-- Conclusion.--

Chapter VIII THE INSPIRATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, CONTINUED 7. THE AUTHORITY AND TESTIMONY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST His Authority.--The Lord Jesus Christ was a teacher, sent from God, representing God, speaking God's words with God's au- thority and power (John 3:2, 14-18, 34; 6:29, 38-40; 7:17, 29; 8:18, 28, 29, 42; 17:8).   His works were His credentials; they proved His mis- sion (John ...). His Testimony.-- Jesus recognized certain books as Scripture under the expressions "Scripture" and "it is written" (aa times). Jesus made use of many more Old Testament Scriptures,

mostly designated; some undesignated.   .... Jesus recognized the historicity of several Old Testament persons, places, and events, such as the creation Summary.--Jesus began His earthly ministry with... 8. THE AUTHORITY AND TESTIMONY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS Authority.--The writers of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, not only recorded the... The Gospels.-- The Acts.-- The Pauline Epistles.--Romans is built... Hebrews.-- The General Epistles.--James has The Revelation.-- 9. THE ORACLES OF GOD An Oracle (from or{o-}, to speak, utter), in classical litera- ture, was (1) .... The Oracles of God.-- The Scriptures Personified.-- 10. STATEMENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Jehovah put the Holy Spirit upon the... A marked example is found... Surely if the Spirit of God could... David gave to Solomon the detailed pattern of the Temple Another striking illustration is found in Jeremiah 36. Psalm 119 contains... Jesus hung an argument upon the... 11. THE FAITH AND TESTIMONY OF THE JEW[S] Inspiration, the divine source of the writings, was, to the Jews, one of the chief evidences, if not the chief... The Apo. (226). Philo (about 20 B.C. to 50 A.D.), the Jewish philosopher and of Alex. Judaism, ... Josephus (37-100 A.D.), the Jewish historian and of Pale. Judaism, ... 12. THE FAITH AND TESTIMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH[ES] The same Old Testament books... The Early Church fathers.--A few expressions from some of the early Church fathers will....

Chapter IX THE INSPIRATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT We have seen (Chapter VIII) not only that the Old Tes- tament contains ample statement concerning its own inspiration, but also that the doctrine is.... THE TEACHING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CONCERNING ITSELF The Lord Jesus Christ.-- His Promises.-- The Gospels.-- The Acts.-- The Pauline Epistles.-- The Other Epistles.-- The Revelation.-- The Scope of 2 Timothy 3:16.--As has been stated (82), this remarkable passage refers THE TESTIMONY OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH[ES] "The [NT] Christians entertained the same respect for the writings of Moses and the Prophets that the Jews did; but they received also, by universal consent, the Scriptures of the New Testa- ment as being composed by the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   .... "The idea that the apostolic writings are Scripture, and are generally ....

Chapter X INSPIRATION TO THE PRESENT DAY To the Reformation.-- The Reformation.-- Since the Reformation.-- Decline.-- English Deism.--Deism is a system of natural religion, believing in the existence of God and the obligation to worship Him, but denying a written revelation, the deity and atoning work of Christ, and miracles.   .... France was reeking in the filth of atheism and immorality, which later plunged her into the terrible French Revolution.... In Germany things were bad enough.   Among the [professing] church people the doctrine of.... The Pietist Movement.--But God had.... German Rationalism.--Against the inroads of Deism, Pan- theism, Atheism, and Infidelity, with a rapidly declining.... Wellhausen (1844-1918).   .... England and America.-- Modernism.-- Back to Deism.--Thus Modernism may be traced back, through.... The Conservative Side.--The Conservatives, sometimes called "Fundamentalists," believe that the Plenary Inspiration and Divine Authority of the Scriptures is one of the necessary and fun- damental doctrines of Scripture.   ....

Chapter XI CONCLUSION Investigation Welcome.-- Concerning the Inspiration of the Old Testament.-- Concerning the Cri.al Hyp.es.-- Summing Up the History.-- Canonicity.-- Christian Evidences.--

PART TWO The Canonicity of the Scriptures

Chapter XII CANON AND CANONICITY General Meaning of the Word "Canon."-- The word "can- on" is of Christian origin, and is derived from the Greek word kanōn; and this, in turn, is.... The Scripture Use of the Word "Canon."--The Greek word kanōn occurs five times in the New Testament.   It means (1) "that which measures, as a rod or ruler"; a rule.   In this sense it is used in Gal. 6:16; Phil. 3:16, and is translated "rule[.]"   It means (2) "that which is measured, a fixed amount of anything."   In this sense it is used in 2 Cor. 10:13-16, and while it is translated "rule" twice and "line" once in the Authorized Version[.] The Meaning of "Canon" as Applied to the Scriptures.-- The facts given above (180, 181) will assist in understanding the meaning of the word when applied to the Scriptures.   (1) It is the

measuring-rod, the straightedge, the testing rule, or critical standard, by which each book of the Bible must be tested before it may be ad- mitted as a part of the Sacred Scriptures.   Those books which came up to the standard were admitted, while those books which did not come up to the standard were rejected.   (2) .... The Sacred Canon, or The Sacred Canon of Scripture, is the name given to those genuine, authentic, and inspired books which, taken together, form the Holy Scriptures.   Each book of this Sacred Canon must be canonical. A book or manuscript is Canonical when its contents come up to, or agree with, a certain rule, or standard, so that it may be ad- mitted into the Canon. An Uncanonical Book is one whose contents have not reached the standard, so that it cannot be admitted into the Canon: as .... Canonicity is the state or quality of being canonical. The Canonicity of any Book of the Bible is the right which that book has to a place in the Sacred Canon because its contents have reached the canonical standard.   .... The Canonicity of the Scriptures, as a whole, is the right they have to be considered canonical and authoritative because each book is canonical.   That is, their.... The Standard, or Test, of Canonicity.--In order that a book may be... of a place in the Sacred Canon, four tests are applied: Divine authorship.   Inspiration.   Is it inspired?   Was it giv- en by God through the Spirit through men; or did it come from man alone?

Human authorship.   Was it written, ..., or endorsed by a prophet, or spokesman for God? Genuineness.   Is it genuine?   Can it be traced back to the time and to the writer from whom it professes to have come?   Or, if the writer.... Authenticity.   Is it authentic?   It is true?   Is it a record of actual facts? Testimony.   .... Each of these tests should be considered separately.   The .... Basis for the Canon.--In order that there may be a collec- tion of books to form the Sacred Canon, there must be: (1) Individual books from which to make the selection.   .... The Need of the Canon of Scripture.--1. In order that the people may have a complete revelation from God.   The Bible, the Sa- cred Canon of Scripture, is, in a real sense, one Book, having one Au- thor, the Holy Spirit, and one subject, Salvation, this subject running

through the entire Book (14-16), and.... Canonization.--To canonize a book was to include it, by .... Questions Answered.--The subject of....

Chapter XIII THE THREEFOLD DIVISION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT The Hebrew Bible, the Bible used by Christ and His apos- tles, was early divided into three parts: (1) the Torah, or Law, (2) the N'bhiim, or Prophets, (3) the K'thubhim, or Writings, called in Greek the Hagiographa, or Holy Writings.   This threefold division was recognized by Christ (Luke 24:44). The Hebrew Division of the Old Testament (96, 97).-- The Hebrew Bible contains the following 24 books, in the.... Notes on the Hebrew Division.--1. .... Other Lists and Divisions.--Besides the.... Reasons for the Threefold Division.--Several.... A Conservative View.--Many.... Obj.ions to the Conservative View.--The three common ....

Chapter XIV THE FORMATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON The Guiding Principle.--The Bible does not give much ....

The Trouble with these.... The Real Tests.--(1) The Bible is a revelation from God; It is God speaking through the Holy Spirit (1-3).   This is inspiration

(46).   (2) God spoke through divinely inspired men, spokesmen, prophets (52).   This gave divinely inspired writings.   These writings are profitable for.... Three Steps.--There are, then, three steps in the complete .... The Jews received the books of the Old Testament, and no others, as canonical, and for the following reasons (see 207-216): THE PENTATEUCH Preservation.--

Jehovah and Moses.-- The Law was written by Moses at the command of Jehovah (...). The "Testimony," witnessing God's holy hatred of sin, which was the Decalogue, written on the two tablets of stone, was preserved in the Ark of the Covenant as the priceless possession of Israel .... The Book of the law possessed divine authority.   (1) It was commanded to be read publicly before all Israel at the end of each seven years, at the.... The Law to the End of the Old Testament.--It is possible to trace the Pentateuch, the Law of Moses, the Law of God by Moses, from the begin- ning of the Book of Joshua to the end of Old Testament history: (1) The ....

The Inspiration of the Pentateuch (189, 1, 204, 205).   This inspiration is clearly and abundantly taught (98, 101, 103, 1, 104, 1, 2). .... THE PROPHETS AND THE WRITINGS The Prophets, the writers of the eight historico-prophetic books (196, 197, 2), were....

oracle in the collection of.... The Inspiration of the Prophets, and of the Twelve sep- arately, is clearly taught (103, 2, 104, 1, 2, 108, 1, 3-5, 7).   The Prophets are called "Scripture" in the New Testament aa times (110, 4, 112, 3, 113). The Writings, or "Remainders," were considered inspired, authoritative, and canonical.   Their.... The Completion of the Old Testament Canon.--Here is a place where.... The Babylonian Exile (606-536 B.C.) was a period of... Ezra, the leader of... There were, near and at the close of the O. T. times, five... All the O. T. books were written before 430 or 424 B. C., ... It was generally understood that Malachi (433-430 or 425 B. C.) was the last of the "prophets," ... There existed books (see Dan. 9:2), ... Josephus, ... The Septuagint Version, begun about 280 B. C. and con- tinued for about 100 years, until about 180 B. C., is a.... The Prologue to Ecc. was written in.... Jesus swept the entire range of Old Testament Scripture, and endorsed it, in His statement, "... " (Luke 11:51, compare Matt. 23:36).   This is from Gen. 4:10, the first book of the Bible, to 2 Chron. 24:20, 21, the last book of the He- brew Bible (197, 7).

Chapter XV FOUR CLASSES OF BOOKS Four Classes.--After the close of the Old Testament Can- on, .... The Homologoumena (homologe{o-} confessed, undisputed) are those books which were not only received as canonical without dispute, but whose right to a place in the Canon was not afterwards disputed.   .... The Antilegomena (anti leg{o-}, spoken against) are those books whose right to a place in the Canon, after.... The Apocrypha (hidden, secret) are those books which were written after the canonical books were written, and which were not admitted into the Canon.   They could not have been "taken out" of the Canon, for they were never put into it. The Pseudepigrapha are those books which were written by unknown persons around the season of the birth of Christ, or be- tween 200 B. C. and 200 A. D., and were passed on a.... The Antilegomena.   Among certain Jewish teachers in the 2nd century A. D., there arose....

Chapter XVI THE ot APOCRYPHA The word "Apocrypha" (a neuter plural adjective) means (1) hidden, concealed, and refers to the works which were written for an inner circle of people, sometimes a heretical sect, and which could not be, and were not supposed to be, understood by those outside; hence it had the force of secret, mysterious, occult.   In this sense the word is.... The ot Apocrypha, or Apocryphal Books, are those books which are found in the Septuagint Greek version and in the present Latin Vulgate version, but not in Hebrew Canon.   .... The Contents of the Apocrypha.--The ot Apoc- rypha contain the following 14 books, in the order in which they stand in the English versions: .... Notes.--The Alex. manu. (358) of the .... Classification.--The Apo. may be classified, in gen- eral, .... The Writers.--The authors, or writers, of the Apo.l books are.... The Language.--All of these books exist in the Greek lan- guage, although it is thought that Ecc.icus, 1 Maccabees, part of.... The Time.--There is no way of showing the exact time of the writing of any of these books, with the possible exception of Ec- c.icus.   This is thought to have been.... Value and Importance.--Although the books of the Apocry- pha have and claim neither.... The Jews in all parts of the world accept the same Canon, and this is found without variation in all copies of the Hebrew Bible. This was unanimous from the beginning.   .... The Versions.--We do not know when the.... The Eastern Church.--In the Eastern, or Oriental, Church the almost universal verdict of.... The Western Church.--In the Western, or Latin, Church, the early.... In the Western Church, from this time, some followed the strict canon of Jerome, others.... The Council of Trent and Beyond.--Europe was.... REASONS FOR REJECTING THE APOCRYPHA FROM THE CANON In review, the following 20 reasons may be given for re- jecting the Apocrypha from the Old Testament Canon: ....

Chapter XVII THE ot PSEUDEPIGRAPHA In addition to the Apocrypha there is a collection of books, of.... Names.--These books were called.... The Pseudepigrapha (false or spurious writings; written under false names) are.... Apocalyptic Literature.--The Pseudepigrapha are some- times called "Apocalyptic Literature," because they are composed largely of.... The Pseudepigraphical Books.--The more important ones are the following 26: .... .... .... ....

Chapter XVIII THE SO-CALLED ALEXANDRIAN CANON Two Canons.--From.... One Canon.--It is.... Reasons for Rejecting the Two-Canons Theory.--1. The Sept. (Alex.) version was made.... A Possible Explanation.--When the Apo.l books were written, and when they became scattered through the....

Chapter XIX NEW TESTAMENT LITERATURE The Growth of Christian Literature.--The "Holy Bible" of the Church of the 1st century A. D. was the Old Testament, the Word of God, fully inspired, canonized, and authoritative.   This was the.... The Oral Gospel.--During the first 20 years after the As- cension of Christ (30-50 A. D.), the Glad Tidings concerning Christ, facts and teaching, were circulated and.... Fra. Gos.s.--Luke.... Written Gospels.--In the next period (50-100 A. D.) we get the.... Mark.--The present general concession is that the Gospel according to Mark was written.... Matthew.--The Gospel according to Matthew.... Luke.--The Gospel according to Luke was.... John.--Until nearly the.... The Epistles.--The Epistles were written to meet various needs, answer practical questions, exhort and comfort those in dis- tress and persecution, present doctrinal statements, and the like.   It is thought that James, the Lord's brother, wrote his epistle.... The Acts.--It has been.... The Apocalypse.--The Book of Revelation was written by John, who was doubtless the Apostle John, by the direct command of the risen Lord, and it was given to him in signs and symbols (".... Summary.--Thus during....

Chapter XX THE FORMATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON The New Testament Canon is the collection of 27 books which the Church receives as its New Testament Scriptures.   These books existed at the end of the 1st century A. D., over a wide terri- tory, probably from.... The First Century.--1. Reviewing the topic, "The Inspira- tion of the New Testament" (chapter IX), it is evident that the New Testament speakers and writers spoke and wrote under divine inspira- tion and authority.   "The New Testament is placed upon the level with the Old in every way; the same divine Author and authority are recognized; the same inspiration holds" (149).   .... The Second Century.--In this century (100-170) are the .... The Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve, is usually dated about 100 A. D. or earlier.   It is said to contain.... Polycarp (69-155), a disciple of the Apostle John, in a letter to the.... Tertullian (150-220), the great North African teacher and writer, quotes more than 1800 different passages from the New Tes- tament, making 7200 references, 3800 from the Gospels, 200 from John alone.   He uses, as.... Other names might be added, but these are sufficient. Ancient Versions.--During the 2nd century three or more translations of the Bible into other languages were made.   These of- fer important testimony, not only to the existence of the books at this early date, but also to their.... (1) The Old Latin version was made about 150 A.D. (2) The Syriac version [the great Peshitta] was made probably around 150 A.D. The Testimony of Heresy.-- The Muratorian Fragment, or the "Muratorian Canon," so called from.... The Third Century.-- The Fourth Century.-- Jerome (340-420), .... Augustine (354-430), ....   [A lost man.] Summary and Onward.--The .... Luther.--The case of Mar. Lut., the ref.er....   [Probably a lost man.]

Chapter XXI THE NEED AND TESTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON The Need of a New Testament Canon (see also 192, 1-4).-- The collection of the apostolic writings into one volume possessing the same authority as the books of the Old Testament would come in response to several needs of the times: (1) The desire of the Church for a collection of authoritative records of the work and message of their Lord and Saviour, and the inspired letters and writings of the apostles; (2) The existence of heretical leaders with their false doc- trines, in the 2nd century and onward, called for a decision to what writings were to be regarded as Scripture; (3) [Cult]s began to make changes in the apostolic writings to suit their fancies, and (4) Numerous books were being written under the forged name of the apostles; hence (5) The Church felt the necessity of knowing the ex- act scope of apostolic teaching in order to unite more effectively in the defense of it.   (6) The spread of the Gospel and the making of ver- sions into other languages, even as early as 150 A. D.   The question would be, What is Scripture?   .... The Standard, or Test, of New Testament Canonicity (see also 189, 1-5).--Since the.... Conclusion.--Thus while the New Testament writers claim for themselves the gift of the Spirit in their work, ....

Chapter XXII FOUR CLASSES OF NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS Classes.--As in the case of the Old Testament Canon .... Causes.--During the first three centuries the churches were .... The Homologoumena, or acknowledged books, those con- cerning which there was...or no dispute.   These are the four Gos- pels, the Acts, 13 Pauline Epistles, Romans to Philemon, 1 Peter, 1 John--20 in all. The Antilegomena, or dis.ed books, those concerning which certain.... The Question Settled.--Thus the question of authorship was prominent regarding each of the.... The Apocrypha, or "The Apocryphal nt," the rejected books, the "spurious books" of.... The Origin of the Apocrypha.--1. Probably some of the early.... Apocryphal Epi.s and Apo.s.--These should doubtless be called pse..   (1) The.... The Apocrypha, or Extra-Canonical Books.- -The follow- ing 15 may be mentioned: .... The Pse. (222, 242) are those.... Some Pse. Books.--Among the large number of.... Notes on the Apocrypha and Pse..--1. Some- thing of a.... Summary.   The True and the False Recognized.--The Church[es] of the 2nd century and onward recognized four Gospels, and only four.   ....

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