BIBLICAL CRITICISM

relates to the textual examination of the Scriptures by consulting their original sources, and also their study for internal evidence to strengthen or weaken their authenticity as inspired writings. For a long time the traditions and conjectures of Hebrew tabbis and Christian monks regarding the origin, date and authority of the different books of the Bible satisfied the majority of students. Such a umptions became hallowed by age and by the continued endorsement of the Church. The Protestant Reformation stimulated a penetrating spirit of enquiry into the sources of the Scriptures, and as time went on scientific methods ef historical and literary research developed. Biblical investigation unfolded a complex problem, producing conclusions at variance with those held in an unscholarly age. The work of uprooting unfounded traditions went on ia the face of much sincere though jgnorant opposition, but enlightened modern thought has long since accepted the instructive results of biblical research as placing the Scriptures on a firmer foundation. Biblical investigators did not aim at destroying the e ential truths of Holy Writ, but sought a reconstruction of the literature, history and theology with which the expre ion of those truths were inter- ‘woven, so that their teachings could be projected into clearer relief. For examplé, they have re-examined, by the help of the oldest sources and contemporary and other data, the history of the Is rec lites, the life of Jesus, and the record of the Early Christian Church, and have re-interpreted them according to the new light obtained. Textual criticism was nece ary because of textual corruption arising from changes from the original form of the text, either deliberate or accidental. In the case of the Old Testament, original material is scanty, and much conjecture still prevails regarding the antecedents of many of its books, but there have been notable discoveries by archzeologists since the World War that may greatly augment the field for its further study. The New Testament has furnished abundant material, its chief sources being manuscripts numbering more than 3000, examination of which has yielded results of great value.