Quotes from The Higher Criticism by Morgan P. Hayden D.D.

Morgan P. Hayden was born in 1845 and died in 1928. Graduated from Hiram College in 1872 and studied Hebrew from 1882-1886. He was also dean of the International Christian Bible College. His book The Higher Criticism was published in the 1920's. Click here for a sermon from Hayden on the deity of Christ and the object of our worship. This work, says Hayden, is a "concise treatise on an important subject, for the busy masses who want the facts in condensed form." He has some important and relevant advice for Bible students today.




"Every era has its own problems which must be faced and solved." pg. 3

"It is thus evident that Biblical criticism is an entirely legitimate realm of investigation, provided only that principles and proper methods be employed in the inquiry." pg. 6

"With the multiplication of editions, the attention of scholars was drawn to a comparison of editions, then of manuscripts,and out of this study of editions and manuscripts, Biblical criticism was born." pg. 8

"For three centuries...the work of Biblical criticism was almost wholly restricted to a correction of the text." pg. 8

"The modern rationalists are the scholastic descendants of the philosophers of Paul's day." pg. 11

"Having decided in their "inner consciousness" that the laws of nature could not be violated, that miracles are impossible, they laid down the rule that all supernatural or miraculous elements be rejected from the Bible and explained away as mythical or legendary." pg. 20

"The testimony which proves the miracles of the Bible can not be set aside without invalidating all evidence; and a rule which overthrows all evidence can not be accepted. If accepted, it would destroy the credibility of all history, and render impossible any reliable information concerning past events." pg. 21

"The rationalist...having accepted the theory of evolution as a sufficient explanation of all phenomena...rejecting a supernatural origin for the religion of the Old and the New Testaments..." pg. 21

"These rationalistic critics, not by the established laws of evidence, but by their own preconceived opinions...determine what must be fact, and what must be fiction in the record...They reject the supernatural elements in the books of the Bible because their theory requires it..." pg. 22, 23

Hayden quotes from Max Muller, "Without a constant return to its fountain head, every religions suffers from its contact with the world, as the purest air suffers from the mere fact of its being breathed." pg. 25

"'the faith' signifies the system of doctrines and precepts which constitutes the gospel of Christ...Now 'the faith' or the gospel, is the system of teaching concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of men." pg. 27

Among others Hayden lists 7 "facts concerning Christ":

"His birth of a virgin; his baptism by John; His public ministry, teaching and miracles; his betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion and burial; His resurrection, appearances to His disciples and ascension; His exaltation, coronation, and right at the right hand of God; His work through His inspired apostles, as His ambassadors, in establishing His kingdom upon earth." pg. 28

He also lists "the commands of Christ":

"The commandment to the church to preach the gospel to the whole world, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing these disciples and teaching them to observe all the commands of Christ; and The requirements to the world to hear the gospel, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, confess Christ, be baptized in the name of Christ, live a faithful Christian life in obedience to the teaching of Christ's apostles." pg. 28, 29

"The inspiration which directed and controlled the prophets, apostles, and all the writers of the books of the Bible is not merely the exalted and lofty conception which springs from human genius and insight, but it is something that comes upon men from without, and from God, a special divine illumination and superintendence. It is not the offspring of human wisdom, but of divine wisdom, and reveals to men that which never could have originated in the mind of man." pg. 32, 33

"To all believers in the living and true God it is evident that a revelation from God to man is possible." pg. 33

"The Bible purports to be a revelation from God our Creator, to be given by men who were inspired by the Spirit of God, to contain a message revealing a divine plan of redemption..." pg. 41

"Between rationalism and "the faith" or pure Bible Christianity there can be no peace." pg. 42