Bible were partially inspired, or inspired to such a limited extent that discrepancies, inaccuracies, and con- tradictions to the facts of science and history, must be expected and do exist in their writings. I utterly repu- diate such a theory. I consider that it practically destroys the whole value of God's Word, puts a sword in the hand of infidels and sceptics, and raises far more serious difficulties than it pretends to solve.
I grant freely that^Pe theory of " plenary verbal inspiration," involves some difficulties. I do not pretend to answer all the objections brought against it, or to defend all that has been written by its supporters.* I am content to remember that all inspiration is a miracu- lous operation of the Holy Ghost, and, like every opera- tion of the Holy Ghost, must needs be mysterious. It is an operation of which not forty men in the world have been made the subjects, and the manner of which not one of the forty has described. It stands to reason that the whole question of inspiration, like everytliing else supernatural, m.ust necessarily contain much that is mysterious, and much that we cannot explain. — But the difficulties of the " plenary vebal " theory appear to me mere trifles, compared with those which surround the counter theory of "partial inspiration." Once admit the principle that the writers of the Bible could mal^e
* When I speak of "plenary verbal inspiration," I do not for a moment admit the absurd, theory that all parts of the Bible are equally important. I should never dream of saying that the catalogues in Chro- nicles are of as much value to the Church as the Gospel of St. John. But I do maintain that all parts of the Bible are equally " given by inspiration of God," and that all are to be regarded as " God's Word." If we do not see the Divine character of any particular part, it is because we have at present no eyes to see it. The humblest moss is as much Ihe handiwork of God's creative power as the cedar of Lebanon. Yet it would bo foolish to say it was an equally important part of creation. The least verse in the Bible is just as truly " given by inspiration " 9« the greatest. But it does not follow that it is equally valuable.