65 Testimony of Christ to the Old Testament the Old Testament. The very announcement of such a topic may not be heard without pain, but in view of theories with which Biblical students are familiar, it becomes necessary to look into the question. Can we, then, accept the utter ances of Christ on the matters referred to as having value_ as of authority—in relation to the Biblical scholarship? Can we take them at their face value, or must they be discounted ? Or again, are these words of Jesus valid for criticism on some questions, but not on others? There are two ways in which it is sought to invalidate Christ s testimony to the Old Testament. 1. IGNORANCE OF JESUS ALLEGED It is alleged that Jesus had no knowledge beyond that of His contemporaries as to the origin and literary character istics of the Scriptures. The Jews believed that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, that the narratives of the Old Testament are all authentic history, and that the words of Scripture are all inspired. Christ shared the opinions of His countrymen on these topics, even when they were in error. To hold this view-, it is maintained, does not detract from the Lord’s quali fications for His proper work, which was religious and spirit ual, not literary; for in relation to the religious value of the Old Testament and its spiritual uses and applications He may confidently be accepted as our guide. His knowledge was adequate to the delivery of the doctrines of His kingdom, but did not necessarily extend to questions of scholarship and criticism. Of these He speaks as any other man; and to seek to arrest, or direct, criticism by appeal to His authority, is procedure which can only recoil upon those who adopt . This v' e w ' s advanced', not only by critics who reject the divinity of Christ, but by many who profess to believe that doctrine. In the preface to his first volume on the Penta teuch and Joshua, Colenso thus writes: “It is perfectly consistent with the most entire and sincere belief in our
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