The Errors of Modern Infidelity

IN the following pages, the author has endeavored to render a small contribution to the Evidences of Christianity. In the first part, he has labored to show that the former existence of a distinguished man in the literary world, may be as easily disproved, as infidels have labored to disprove the existence of an eminent person in the religious world. The principal arguments which have been employed to overturn the former actual existence of Christ, as a great teacher and historical actor, have been interwoven into this discussion and applied to Shakspeare. It will be seen, we think, that if those arguments and sophisms have any weight when applied to Christ, they possess equal conclusiveness mutatis mutandis, when applied to Shakspeare; hence, if any one is willing to doubt on their authority, the history and existence of Christ, he must, in order to be consistent, be willing to doubt on the same grounds, the history and existence of Shakspeare. The reasoning which is conclusive in one case, is so in both, and applies indeed to any similar instance, which might be selected as the basis of the discussion.

Whoever has observed the progress of Religion and Theology during the last few years, will easily see, that no one method of opposing Christianity, has proved more successful, and been more injurious to the interests of truth, than that of denying the former existence of Christ in the world, as the real teacher and savior of men, as revealed in the New Testament. Most other forms of doubt and infidelity have passed away, having crumbled into dust from their own inherent shallowness and emptiness, But philosophical doubt has of late years assumed another form, and assaulted the citadel of truth, from another point of attack. It had been discovered, that as long as the unbeliever granted some general principles and fundamental positions to his opponent, so long a foothold had been given, which could never afterward be overcome; that, planting himself firmly on these primitive and immovable supports, the advocate of the Gospel inevitably gained upon his foe, and eventually overpowered and exploded him. It became apparent, that it was necessary to dispute the first positions, to begin at the very borders of the contested territory, and make a thorough and complete conquest from the beginning. This exploit has been attempted by different champions of Infidelity; but by none with greater labor, learning and ingenuity than Dr. D. F. Strauss, in his "Life of Jesus." He labors to prove, that the writings and narratives of the Evangelists are myths; not recording truly what actually occurred, but what the fancy of later dreamers would have desired and approved. He disputes those different narratives, and endeavors to show how inconsistent, improbable and incredible they are at every point. In a word, while he admits that

such a man as Jesus may have lived, he contends, that his recorded history, teachings, doings and sufferings, are false, and therefore wholly unworthy of credit.

Aware of the great importance of this point in a system of Apologetics, every resource which could possibly aid in rendering their position impregnable, has been employed by those who have engaged in this contest. The work of Strauss has been translated in England, and is now also for sale in this country. The spirit which animates him has been imbibed to some extent, by some in our own midst. For instance, the translation of De Wette's Introduction to the Old Testament, which has been made at Boston, is a bold advance accomplished in the same direction. Though not as irreverent an infidel as Strauss, though not as daring in his assaults, nor as successful in his attempts, as he; the effect produced by De Wette's work, will be highly injurious. Thus the spirit of learned doubt gains among us, and one after another of the venerable strongholds of the truth will be deserted, as unreasonable, antiquated, superstitious, and behind the requirements of the cultivated age in which we live. We expect soon to hear of the establishment of an association of Illuminati, similar to those of Germany in a former day, who will resist and deride the simple Christianity which has prevailed here, ever since the Pilgrim fathers hallowed these Western climes with their presence and their principles. We expect soon to hear of the organiza tion of a "Young America" among us, in imitation of similar youthful and sapient associations in the old world; who will oppose the truth, not with the coolness, the experience and the power of age, but with the impetuosity, the arrogance and the absurdity of youth.

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The Errors of Modern Infidelity: Illustrated and Refuted