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THE KING’S BUSINESS
one’s life aside to a theory unattested by facts: however perfect the appearance, it may after all be only the mirage and the disappointed pilgrim may never again get back to the safe-road. Let theory first be confirmed by fact, then it may be received into the life. II. No th e o ry c o rre c t sim ply b ecau se it w orks. But a theory which meets all the known conditions of the case in hand is not by that fact proved to be true, and therefore to be received into the life. And the most alluring danger to which criticism is sub ject is the assumption of the contrary opin ion, namely, that a theory which meets all the known conditions of the case in hand is by that fact proved to be true. This is not the case. Such a theory must, in addi tion, be corroborated by independent evi dence, either the bringing to light of the expected facts or demonstration of the power of the theory to unlock mysteries. And even if mysteries be unlocked, the theory is not necessarily an entirely cor rect theory. The key that turns the lock must be something like the key that belongs to it, but may, after all, be a false key. There must be, in any case, whether of mysteries unlocked or of facts brought to light, independent, genuine evidence in addi tion to the adaptability of the theory to all the known conditions of the case in hand. Furthermore, a theory must not only be able to meet the test of some additional facts but the test of all the conditions imposed by any additional facts brought to light, and be able, also, to incorporate these new facts as naturally as those upon which the theory was originally constructed. This is the final and conclusive test, without meeting which no theory is to be received into the life. That a theory which meets all the con ditions of the case in hand is by that fact proved to be true is a mathematical dictum. Mathematics belongs to the domain of pure, absolute, and universal truth and there this dictum holds good. A theory which meets all the conditions of the case there fur-
FACTS ARE FINAL. To ask this question is to answer it. Theory must always give way to fact. In the settlement of disputes facts are final. Even so staunch a defender of the rights and functions of criticism as Dr. Driver, recognizes this principle, at least in theory. For he says: “Where the testimony of archaeology is direct, it is of the highest possible value, and, as a rule, determines the questions decisively: even where it is indirect, if it is sufficiently circumstantial and precise, it makes a settlement highly probable.” This prerogative of archaeological facts in the testing of critical theories, is evi dently far reaching in its powers and must of necessity be given wide and positive rec ognition. It is now to be scrutinized with the utmost care. The several rules, or canons, of this crit icism of criticism are inseparably linked together. I. No th eo ry to be a ccep ted u n til tested b y facts. No theory is to be finally accepted and made applicable to one’s faith and life, until it is tested and attested by facts. If it is in the field of experience, by facts of exper-' ience. If in the field of history, by the facts of history. And the Master com mends even revelation to this test when He says: “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God or whether I speak from myself.” Anything in the Bible may be discredited by theory. Everything in heaven and earth may be, indeed has been, discredited by theory. More, there can be no accepted realities in all the universe of existence, phenomena, and experience, if theory is allowed to stand unsupported by fact, per mitted, undisputed, to dominate the intel lect and faith of a man and so ultimately to direct his life. One might as safely abandon the beaten track for the most alluring but unconfirmed appearance upon the horizon of the Eastern desert, as turn
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