General Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures

THE present work is the outcome of lectures on General Introduction, delivered during several years in St. John's Boston Ecclesiastical Seminary, and is chiefly intended as a text-book for similar institutions. As such it deals with the questions which it behooves theological students most to be acquainted with before they enter on the scientific interpretation of the sacred text, and which fall under the three general heads of the Canon, Text and Versions, and Hermeneutics of the Holy Scriptures. In works of this kind it is customary to join to the study of these leading topics that of Biblical Inspiration, and in consequence, a concise treatment of the history, proofs, nature and extent of the inspiration of Holy Writ will be found in an appendix to the present volume. The method which the writer has pursued in the study of these important and difficult questions is the one which was inaugurated towards the end of the seventeenth century by the French Oratorian, Richard Simon, and which is almost universally adopted by leading contemporary scholars. It is the historico-critical method, called thus from the general purpose it has in view, viz., to give as genuine facts or as valid inferences from facts, only those which, in the light of historical knowledge and sound criticism, are entitled to be considered as such. It is in virtue of this truly scientific method that each part of the volume is mainly devoted to a historical account of the facts or theories connected with its respective topic, and will be found to embody an application of the generally acknowledged Canons of scriptural criticism. Thus it is hoped that the student of Biblical Introduction will not only secure a certain amount of positive information, but also acquire gradually personal habits of reflection and accuracy. Although the writer has felt obliged to be brief in his treatment of the various topics, yet he is not without confidence that at least every important question has received its fair share of attention and development. Moreover he has been careful to supply the reader with constant references to the best books from which further information can easily be gathered. The facsimiles of MSS, inscriptions. etc., which are found at the end of the volume. will also render its use more profitable to the student. Finally, it will be noticed that the present volume deals only with the questions appertaining to General Introduction; but the writer hopes to be soon able to add as a sequel to the work now offered to the public, two volumes of Special Introduction to the Old and New Testaments.