74
(.. controversy it created within fundamental circles. Actually, the Biola Board of Directors could not escape their respons- -~---.ibili ty in the matter, because they had voted unanimously to approve the . manuscript and to print two thousand copies at Biola's expense. Dr . .Macinnii: had prepared the manuscript from a series of lectures given at Bible Con- ferences and on special occasions. Much of the material had appeared in serial form in the King ' s Business, Biola's official publication in 1913- 1914. Naturally, it was assumed that a book written by the Dean of Biola and published by the School would follow the general patrern of the average fund- amental publication emphasizing the doctrines of fundamentalism in contrast - to modernism. Unfortunately, this was not the case. In his opening state- ment, the author stated the book was "A study in Higher fundamentalism," which was the sub-title of the book. This statement was to rise up and haunt the author later. According to him, the book was "not intended as a theo- ligical treatise, nor a devotional book." Rather, it was a presentation of "the philosophy of Peter the Fisherman." He was convinced of the need for such a book which could be used in secular universities to counter the teach- ing of Modernism. However, there were three basic faults found in the author's expressed intention in the book: (1) his presentation of "Peter's Philosophy" to many, was tantamount to placing Peter's Epistle on the level of human naturalistic inspiration, rather than in the realm of the inspired message of God to man through Peter; (2) the fundamentalists' adverse reaction to his attempts to make the message of the book acceptable to the liberal mind in secular schools to them, an impossibility without watering down the message of the book; (3) the author's attempt to blend modern philosophy with Christianity and his complete failure to substantiate the fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures. No sooner was the book off the press than the storm of criticisms struck with hurricane force. So intense was the situation that the Dean requested
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter