The Origin and Permanent Value of the Old Testament
Kent, Charles Foster, 1867-1925
English
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THE ORIGIN AND PERMANENT VALUE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
BY
CHARLES FOSTER KENT, PH.D.
WOOLSEY PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE IN YALE UNIVERSITY
"Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free"
PREFACE
During the past generation the Old Testament has commanded equally with
the New the enthusiastic and devoted study of the great body of biblical
scholars throughout the world. Two out of every three graduate students
in our universities who specialize in the general field of biblical
literature choose the Old as the special centre of their work. At the
same time the tendency of the rank and file of the Christian church
within the past decade has undoubtedly been to neglect the older
Testament. Preachers as a rule select less than a fourth of their texts
from it; the prevailing courses of Bible study devote proportionately
less time to it; and teachers and scholars in the great majority of
cases turn to the Old Testament with much less enthusiasm than they
do to the New. Why are these two great currents setting in opposite
directions, and what are the causes of the present popular neglect of
the Old Testament? If the Old Testament should be relegated to a second
place in our working canon of the Bible, let us frankly and carefully
define our reasons. If, on the other hand, the prevailing apathy and
neglect are due to ignorance of the real character and value of the Old
Testament, let as lose no time in setting ourselves right.
The present volume has been suggested by repeated calls from ministerial
bodies, popular assemblies, and groups of college students for addresses
on the themes here treated. The aim has been to give in concise, popular
form answers to some of the many questions thus raised, with the
conviction that they are in the mind of every thoughtful man and woman
to-day, and especially on the lips of earnest pastors, missionaries,
and Sunday-school teachers. There are indications on every side of
a deepening and far more intelligent interest in the needs and
possibilities of religious education. Its vital importance to the life
of the Church and the nation is being understood as never before.
Earnest and fruitful efforts are being put forth to improve the methods
and courses of instruction. The first essential, however, is a true
understanding and appreciation of that Book of Books, which will
forever continue to be the chief manual "for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction, in righteousness, that the man of God
may be perfect, completely fitted for every good work." The supreme
importance and practical value of the New Testament are recognized by
all, but we usually forget when we quote the familiar words of Paul that
he had in mind simply the Scriptures of the Old Testament.
In divine Providence mighty forces have been quietly at work during the
past century removing false rabbinical traditions and misconceptions
that had gathered about these ancient Scriptures, while from other
sources has come new light to illumine their pages. The result is that
in the Old Testament the Christian world is discerning a new heritage,
the beauty and value of which is still only half suspected even by
intelligent people. This fact is so significant and yet so little
recognized that one feels impelled to go out and proclaim it on the
housetops. The Old Testament can never be properly presented from the
pulpit or in the class-room while the attitude of preacher and teacher
is apathetic and the motive a sense of duty rather than an intelligent
acquaintance with its real character and genuine admiration and
enthusiasm for its vital truths. The irresistible fascination which has
drawn many of the most brilliant scholars into the Old Testament field
is a proof that it has lost nothing, of its power and attractiveness.
Already the circle of those who have rediscovered the Old Testament is
rapidly broadening. Observation and experience confirm the conviction
that all that is lacking to make that devotion universal is a right
attitude toward it and an intelligent familiarity with its real origin,
contents, and teachings. The sooner this is realized the sooner some of
the most difficult problems of the Church, of the Sunday-school, and of
popular religious education will be solved.
As the repository of a great and varied literature, as a record of
many of the most important events in human history, and as a concrete
revelation of God's character and will through the life and experiences
of a race and the hearts of inspired men, the Old Testament has a vital
message marvellously adapted to the intellectual, moral, social, and
spiritual needs of to-day and supremely fitted to appeal to the thought
and imagination of the present age.
This little volume is intended to be simply a very informal introduction
to it. Since of the two Testaments the New is by far the more easily
understood and the better known, it is made the point of departure in
the approach to the more complex field represented by the Old. Many
unexpected analogies will aid in understanding the intricate literary
history of the older Scriptures. The point of view assumed throughout is
that of the busy pastor, missionary, Sunday-school teacher, and scholar,
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