The Bible and Men of Learning; In a Course of Lectures (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt: ... The Prejudice that extensive Learning is hostile to the Spirit of true Piety, Mark, viii. 24. "And he looked up and said, I see men, as trees, walking." At the dawn of day every thing is seen indistinctly. The forms and relations of objects, great and small, are not fully perceived; and the imagination, acting on the shadowy outlines before it, often creates needless alarms at that which as yet is dimly comprehended. It is not easy to conceive the confusion and mischief that must ensue were men to act, through the day, on the visions thus obtained, and were they not to allow their misconceptions to be corrected by the clear light of the sun, as it brightens into perfect day. So it is in the worlds of Science and Religion. When religious truth began to emerge from the darkness that had covered it for ages; not a few of the learned at first resisted its claims, from mistaken and unjust views of what the Scriptures teach. And in like manner, while the truths of Science Were as yet but partially brought to light, they have often been suspected and opposed by Christians, as subversive of revelation; while a more perfect acquaintance with thein has shown their great value in developing new beauties and a richer meaning-in the sacred volume. The error with both parties arises from a want of knowledge, from imperfect vision. Like the man described in the text, who " saw men, as trees, walking," they have no adequate comprehension of the true form and the mutual relations of what lies before them. It is to be lamented that much of this misconception and injustice still prevails with many devout men, who look upon science and philosophy as antagonistic to the Bible, who seem to: tremble for the safety of the ark of God when it is touched by the hands of the learned...