Unity of the Bible to Its Inspiration 67 Cuvier has framed in scientific statement this law of unity. Organized being in every case forms a whole— a complete system—all parts of which mutually correspond; none of these parts can change without the other also changing; and con- sequently each taken separately indicates and gives all the others. For instance, the sharp-pointed tooth of the lion re- quires a strong jaw; these demand a skull fitted for the attach- ment of powerful muscles, both for moving the jaw and raising the head; a broad, well developed shoulder-blade must accom- pany such a head; and there must be an arrangement of bones of the leg which admits of the leg-paw being rotated and turned upward, in order to be used as an instrument to seize and tear the prey; and of course there must be strong claws arming the paw. Hence from one tooth, the animal could be modeled though the species had perished. Thus the Four Gospels are necessary to each other and to the whole Bible. Each presents the subject from a different point of view, and the combination gives us a Divine Per- son reflected, projected before us, like an object with pro- portions and dimensions. Matthew wrote for the Jew, and shows Jesus as the King of the Jews, the Royal Lawgiver. Mark wrote for the Roman, and shows Him as the Power of God, the Mighty Worker. Luke wrote for the Greek, arid shows Him as the Wisdom of God, the human Teacher and Friend. John, writing to supplement and complement the other Gospels, shows Him as Son of God, as well as Son of man, having and giving eternal life. These are not Gospels of Matthew, etc., but one Gospel o f Christ, according to Matthew, Mark , Luke and John. The first three present the person and work of Christ from the outward, earthly side; the last, from the inward and heavenly. In the beginning of each Gospel we find emphasized: in Matthew, Christ’s genealogy, in Mark His majesty, in Luke His humanity, in John His divinity. So, in the close of each:
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker