Inspiration and Inerrancy; A History and a Defense

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. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...CHAPTER VIII. CHARGES BROUGHT. The Committee on Erroneous Teaching had no doubts as to its own mission. The purpose in the minds of the members was probably strengthened by the action of the General Assembly (May, 1892), at Portland, Oregon. This Assembly sustained the appeal of the Prosecuting Committee of the Presbytery of New York from the action of that body in dismissing the case against Dr. Briggs, and the Presbytery was ordered to permit amendment of the charges, so that the case may be brought to issue and tried on the merits thereof, as speedily as may be practicable. The Assembly also adopted the following deliverance: The General Assembly would remind all under its care that it is a fundamental doctrine that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired and infallible Word of God. Our Church holds that the inspired Word as it came from God is without error. The assertion of the contrary can not but shake the confidence of the people in the sacred books. All who enter office in our Church solemnly profess to receive them as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. If they change their belief on this point, Christian honor demands that they should withdraw from our ministry. They have no right to use the pulpit or the chair of the professor for the dissemination of their errors until they are dealt with by the slow process of discipline. But if any do so act, their Presbyteries should speedily interpose, and deal with them for violation of ordination vows. The vow taken at the beginning is obligatory until the party taking it is honorably and properly released. The General Assembly enjoins upon all ministers, elders and Presbyteries, .to be faithful to the duty here imposed. The duty here imposed .is evidently the duty of...