London: John Murray, Albemarle Street 1892.
1894 32 It is late to notice a work which is already in its sixth edition, the expansion of lectures delivered in the divinity school of the University of Dublin. Renan's Histoire des Origines du Christianisme was then in course of publication; which gave it perhaps a greater place in the lecturer's notice than would have been due a little later. Baur too, notwithstanding his extravagance and the time which has sufficed to make it manifest even to many daringly speculative, seems to have rather too much honour paid him, though it be in the shape of refutation.
There are six and twenty lectures, the first three introductory; (i.) the principles of the investigation, (ii.) Baur's theory of early church history, (iii.) the Anti-Paulinism of the Apocalypse. The next four are on the reception of the Gospels in the early church. Lectures viii. and ix. discuss the Synoptic Gospels; x. the original of St. Matthew; xi. Apocryphal and Heretical Gospels. No less than six are devoted to the Johannine books. Lectures xviii. and xix. deal with the Acts, and Apocryphal Acts; only one (xx.) with the Pauline Epistles, that to the Hebrews being handled apart in xxi. Lecture xxii. treats of 1 Peter; xxiii. of James; xxiv. of Jude; xxv. of 2 Peter; and xxvi. of non-canonical books.
Some of our readers are familiar with Westcott's elaborate History of the New Testament Canon. Others will prefer the vigorous common sense of Dr. S. in this compact, closely and correctly printed, volume of more than 600 pages (including preface and contents). It is really the genuineness of the several N. T. writings historically defended, and a refutation of the spurious books issued in comparatively early times: both with the known learning and ability of the present Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. For helps in studying those books critically and exegetically, which the christian reader most values, the latter in particular, he must search elsewhere. Dr. S. here argues all out on a ground which makes irrelevant inspiration itself, with all its holy and grand issues, though believing it.
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1894 86 The "body" and the "house" differ manifestly. The church is the house of God, and the body of Christ glorified. God's body it never is nor could be called. "My dead bodies" in Isa. 26:19 simply expresses Jehovah's affection for the Jews when restored after so long a death.
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Thoughts on Faith and Scepticism by Thomas Andrews, F.R.S. London: James Nisbet & Co., 21, Berners Street. 1894.
1894 96 This little volume devotes part i. to remarks on Christian faith, part ii. to observations on Hyper-Biblical criticism, part iii. to thoughts on modern scepticism, and part iv. to spiritualism and theosophy. There is an appendix also on atheistic teaching in French schools, on auricular confession in certain English schools, on the progress of Romanism and Ritualism in this country, and on the present attitude of the Romish body towards Protestants. May it be used of God to help unwary souls! The need is great and growing.
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1894 107 In Proverbs it is always "Jehovah"; once only is "Elohim" used (Prov. 25:2), and (in Prov. 2:17) "Elohey-ha," her God. In Ecclesiastes "Jehovah" is never used, always "Elohim"; and, where it is not "a man," "ha-Adam" is regularly used. This falls in with the different objects of the books.
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'The Love of Christ for His Own, Etc.'*
1894 192 Here are four booklets by Mr. Burbidge, consisting of addresses on John 13 — 16 respectively. No reader of the B.T. will need a word of commendation; especially as the themes here treated are of near and undying interest to the Christian. These addresses have not appeared before.
{*No. 1, The love of Christ for His own, John 13; No. 2, The Secret of true Peace and Power, John 14; No. 3, The Blessedness of Obedience, John 4; and No. 4, the Presence and Mission of the Holy Spirit, John 16. Price 1d. each, in a neat vol., cloth antique 6d. London, Holness; Glasgow, Allan.}