INTRODUCTORY
The Four Gospels are not so much books as pamphlets, slender
records of the life, work, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth,
the Christ; pamphlets which can be read attentively in from eight to
nine hours, and yet, in all the literature of the world there is nothing
of comparable value with them. This value is not primarily literary,
though in this respect the Gospels are impressive, but chiefly moral and
spiritual. There is more wisdom in their pages than in all that all the
philosophers have ever written.
There are various ways in which the Gospels can be studied, and
probably among evangelicals, the prevailing way is devotional. These read
and study the incomparable Story for spiritual illumination and refreshment,
and there their interest largely ends. On the other hand there are those
who, with less spiritual desire and purpose, perhaps, devote themselves
to a critical examination of these records, and with the results of their
study their interest largely ends.
Now these two cases represent two things of momentous importance,
and to make the second of them the first, let it be said that critical
examination of these and all Biblical Writings is not only permissible,
but absolutely necessary. Belief in the inspiration of the Gospels is not
a prerequisite for the study of them, but certainly it will be the result
of such study, if it be properly done. After all, the thing of primary
importance is not the inspiration of the Bible, but its revelation, because
but for the revelation there would be no need of inspiration.
