world, publish it to all the nations, send it to every creature under heaven, as the only foundation of hope to man; and that they take it as their high calling on earth, to labor by all appropriate means in order to enforce and establish its authority over all the kingdoms of the world. 14. God hath also magnified his Word, by his dispensations of judgment and mercy-of judgment to the despisers and neglecters of the Bible; of mercy to those who appreciate and honor it. Let the history of God's ways be studied; his ways with nations, with churches, with families, with individuals with wonderful uniformity, they will be found to take their manner and character from the mode in which the Bible is treated. They are honored who honor the Bible; and they lightly esteemed, yea condemned and cursed, and sooner or later overtaken with everlasting destruction, who neglect and make light of the Word of God. 15. God hath magnified his Word, by causing it to become great in honor among mankind. All do not honor the Bible, but it has received honor from man. No other book, no other object in the world is equally honored. All true churches are founded upon it, take it for their constitution, follow its instructions, subsist upon it, draw from it all their hopes and their very life, glory in it as their inheritance, in all their assemblies make it their meditation, their only theme; teach it to their children, and are devoted to the work of publishing, and spreading it among men. This Book is the glory and the boast of all the great and good among mankind. What a great cloud of worthies from all civilized lands and all times, have paid their best honors to the Bible. The greatest luminaries of genius and learning are among those who bear witness to the divinity of the Scriptures. How immense the labors of literature and science, as well as piety, in doing homage to the Bible. How many thousands of the greatest and most gifted of human minds, are day and night poring over the pages of this book with prayer for illumination from above, that they may be able to comprehend its profound secrets of wisdom. What associations have been formed-what works are going on, to multiply the Scriptures in all the languages of men, and replenish the earth with them, to its utmost bounds. In all this is to be seen God's hand magnifying His Word. ARTICLE XI. LITERARY AND CRITICAL NOTICES OF BOOKS, BY THE EDITOR. 1. Theophany, or the Manifestation of God in Jesus Christ, with a Supplement touching the Theories of the Rev. Dr. Bushnell. BY REV. ROBERT TURNBULL. Second Edition. Hartford Brockett, Fuller & Co. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1849. In the January number of the Repository, we gave a brief notice of this work, in advance of its actual publication, at which time we expressed a favorable opinion of it, both as it respects its doctrinal soundness and its literary merit. The discussion of the subject of Christ's incarnation and atonement, caused by Dr. Bushnell's "God in Christ," the manner in which that subject is treated of in "Theophany," and the obvious fact that these and other cardinal doctrines of our Faith, are to be subjected, in this country, to a new and most searching re-examination with a view to a re-modification of our Theological Systems, from the infusion of Germanism into our philosophy and theological literature, warrant us in referring again and somewhat at length, to this book. Some years ago, while a pastor in Boston, Mr. Turnbull published a little volume, entitled "Claims of Jesus," the object of which was to vindicate the incarnation and atonement of Jesus Christ, and bring these great truths home to the hearts of thoughtful inquirers. Theodore Parker had just published his celebrated discourse on "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity," while Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mr. Ripley, and others, were laboring to bring into contempt the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel. That little popular and highly useful treatise was the germ, we believe, of Mr. Turnbull's Theophany. Having served well its day, it was suffered to go out of print, using such portions of it only as were deemed of permanent value and general interest in the preparation of a larger work. The attention of the public having been called afresh to the Divinity and Atonement of Christ by the speculations of Dr. Bushnell and others, Mr. T. rightly judged it a fitting opportunity to issue the work in its present enlarged and re-adjusted form. The speedy appearance of a second edition, is proof that it has already found many readers, although it has not the novelty and mysticism, nor the peculiar ability of Dr. B's work to commend it. The form of the work is rather literary than theological; that is to say, it is not written in the ordinary technical style of the theological and religious works, but in a language somewhat freer and more natural, and possessing, as we think, a fresher and deeper interest. Indeed one aim of Mr. Turnbull seems to have been to avoid the deadening influence of hackneyed ideas and modes of expression-the formal and scientific method of the schools for one more congenial to the heart of Christian piety. It is entirely evangelical in its matter and spirit, but has the cast and appearance rather of a literary than of a theological treatise. It may be stated, also, that the Author claims for it rather a practical than a polemical character; still is it true that while it sedulously avoids a dogmatical and denunciatory spirit, it fearlessly and ably exposes various popular errors, and enters with some thoroughness into the discussion of those great truths which lie at the foundation of all religious life. It meets, not only the errors of Strauss, Parker, and others, but those of the semi-orthodox and speculative school of Schleiermacher, Neander, and Bushnell. He evinces no little knowledge of German Theology, and while he treats it with fairness and with liberality, he is no slave to it, no servile imitator, but escapes the virus of world, publish it to all the nations, send it to every creature under heaven, as the only foundation of hope to man; and that they take it as their high calling on earth, to labor by all appropriate means in order to enforce and establish its authority over all the kingdoms of the world. 14. God hath also magnified his Word, by his dispensations of judgment and mercy-of judgment to the despisers and neglecters of the Bible; of mercy to those who appreciate and honor it. Let the history of God's ways be studied; his ways with nations, with churches, with families, with individuals: with wonderful uniformity, they will be found to take their manner and character from the mode in which the Bible is treated. They are honored who honor the Bible; and they lightly esteemed, yea condemned and cursed, and sooner or later overtaken with everlasting destruction, who neglect and make light of the Word of God. 15. God hath magnified his Word, by causing it to become great in honor among mankind. All do not honor the Bible, but it has received honor from man. No other book, no other object in the world is equally honored. All true churches are founded upon it, take it for their constitution, follow its instructions, subsist upon it, draw from it all their hopes and their very life, glory in it as their inheritance, in all their assemblies make it their meditation, their only theme; teach it to their children, and are devoted to the work of publishing, and spreading it among men. This Book is the glory and the boast of all the great and good among mankind. What a great cloud of worthies from all civilized lands and all times, have paid their best honors to the Bible. The greatest luminaries of genius and learning are among those who bear witness to the divinity of the Scriptures. How immense the labors of literature and science, as well as piety, in doing homage to the Bible. How many thousands of the greatest and most gifted of human minds, are day and night poring over the pages of this book with prayer for illumination from above, that they may be able to comprehend its profound secrets of wisdom. What associations have been formed-what works are going on, to multiply the Scriptures in all the languages of men, and replenish the earth with them, to its utmost bounds. In all this is to be seen God's hand magnifying His Word. ARTICLE XI. LITERARY AND CRITICAL NOTICES OF BOOKS, BY THE EDITOR. 1. Theophany, or the Manifestation of God in Jesus Christ, with a Supplement touching the Theories of the Rev. Dr. Bushnell. BY REV. ROBERT TURNBULL. Second Edition. Hartford Brockett, Fuller & Co. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1849. IN the January number of the Repository, we gave a brief notice of this work, in advance of its actual publication, at which time we expressed a favorable opinion of it, both as it respects its doctrinal soundness and its literary merit. The discussion of the subject of Christ's incarnation and atonement, caused by Dr. Bushnell's "God in Christ," the manner in which that subject is treated of in "Theophany," and the obvious fact that these and other cardinal doctrines of our Faith, are to be subjected, in this country, to a new and most searching re-examination with a view to a re-modification of our Theological Systems, from the infusion of Germanism into our philosophy and theological literature, warrant us in referring again and somewhat at length, to this book. 66 Some years ago, while a pastor in Boston, Mr. Turnbull published a little volume, entitled Claims of Jesus," the object of which was to vindicate the incarnation and atonement of Jesus Christ, and bring these great truths home to the hearts of thoughtful inquirers. Theodore Parker had just published his celebrated discourse on "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity," while Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mr. Ripley, and others, were laboring to bring into contempt the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel. That little popular and highly useful treatise was the germ, we believe, of Mr. Turnbull's Theophany. Having served well its day, it was suffered to go out of print, using such portions of it only as were deemed of permanent value and general interest in the preparation of a larger work. The attention of the public having been called afresh to the Divinity and Atonement of Christ by the speculations of Dr. Bushnell and others, Mr. T. rightly judged it a fitting opportunity to issue the work in its present enlarged and re-adjusted form. The speedy appearance of a second edition, is proof that it has already found many readers, although it has not the novelty and mysticism, nor the peculiar ability of Dr. B's work to commend it. The form of the work is rather literary than theological; that is to say, it is not written in the ordinary technical style of the theological and religious works, but in a language somewhat freer and more natural, and possessing, as we think, a fresher and deeper interest. Indeed one aim of Mr. Turnbull seems to have been to avoid the deadening influence of hackneyed ideas and modes of expression-the formal and scientific method of the schools for one more congenial to the heart of Christian piety. It is entirely evangelical in its matter and spirit, but has the cast and appearance rather of a literary than of a theological treatise. It may be stated, also, that the Author claims for it rather a practical than a polemical character; still is it true that while it sedulously avoids a dogmatical and denunciatory spirit, it fearlessly and ably exposes various popular errors, and enters with some thoroughness into the discussion of those great truths which lie at the foundation of all religious life. It meets, not only the errors of Strauss, Parker, and others, but those of the semi-orthodox and speculative school of Schleiermacher, Neander, and Bushnell. He evinces no little knowledge of German Theology, and while he treats it with fairness and with liberality, he is no slave to it, no servile imitator, but escapes the virus of German neology, and retains the freedom of thought, and the integrity of the truth. He has gone also somewhat into the literature of the subject of which he treats, and given a comprehensive account of the various opinions and theories of the Incarnation, particularly on what may be termed the metaphysical and imaginative side of theologoical speculation. Some curious and interesting quotations may be found in the fourth chapter, from Plato, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Bossuet, and others. Mr. Turnbull says: "Our views of the Incarnation and Atonement of Christ may be found in some features, peculiar, though not differing in any essential particular from those usually styled orthodox. It has been our aim to clear away from the subject some popular misconceptions and misstatements, and to place it, if possible, upon a scriptural and defensible basis."-Preface. We know not that the Author's views upon these high subjects are at all peculiar; for they are the views which have been held by the church universal, and defended with consummate ability by such men as Taylor, Hooker and Howe, Robert Hall, and Tholuck. If peculiar, it is only in the form of the argument and mode of expression. Evidently Mr. T. is familiar with the works of the old divines, and sympathizes with the more ancient as well as the simpler and profounder theology of the early church. Though neither Armenian nor a hyperCalvinist, he has vindicated Irenæus and Calvin from the misrepresentations of Muenscher and Bushnell, and spoken respectfully, at least, of the theology of the "Princeton Divines." If there is any one peculiarity in the views of the Author which stands out with greater prominence than others, it is, that the whole subject of the Incarnation, lying within the region of mystery, and known therefore only in part, is no subject for philosophical speculation. Upon this point he has endeavored to ascertain the limits of human inquiry, and while he vindicates the mystery by a reference to its natural and moral aspects, its relations both to the finite and the infinite, he insists that it is rather a subject for adoration than discussion. We fully concur in this view and commend his chapter on "The Incarnation as a Mystery," to the special consideration of our readers. We quote a few paragraphs from it: 6 As a manifestation of the Godhead, as a Being at once human and Divine, as the connecting link between Heaven and earth, the nature and mission of Jesus would naturally be a subject of difficulty to the reason and philosophy of this world. On this ground, adds the Apostle, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition (teaching) of men, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power.1 "In these expressions is discovered to us the grand peculiarity of the Christian Faith. It proposes to unite the soul to God, the great end of all religion, by uniting it to Christ. For this purpose it presents Christ to us, as the sum and essence of all goodness, the source and fountain of all wisdom and grace, and thence made unto those who believe, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; as a Being, therefore, to be loved, revered and adored. This we call a mystery; but not a mystery entirely unknown or unnatural in any way. Nay, it is precisely what we might expect. It is, certainly, what we need. For religion, in its true sense, is not so much a doctrine as a life. Moreover, it is a life in the infinite and eternal; in other words, a life in God. Hence we cannot be saved by bare beliefs, traditions, or externalities of any kind. No 1 Coloss. ii. 8. 2 Doubtless it is both. The doctrine or the truth, apprehended by the mind, and received by the heart, produces the life, and the life sustains the doctrine. They act and react upon each other. The doctrine, indeed, may exist without the life, but not the life without the doctrine. To have light and heat, you need the sun. To have spiritual life, which is holy love, you must have the truth, which is the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. "Faith worketh by love.", |