The higher critic acknowledges the “perceived harmony," "it may be compared to the effect of some natural scene in which we suddenly perceive a harmony or picture, or to the imperfect appearance of design which suggests itself in looking at the surface of the globe." The philosopher, the scientific materialist, or the religious higher critic may give evidence of much ability and ingenuity in building ships, but it must be remembered a further capacity is needed for guiding them in the waters, and when they themselves run their own ships ashore and leave them high and dry, he must be forgiven, who, while honoring them for all the talents they possess, can but consider them lacking in that capacity upon which the safety of the ship depends.
The Two-Fold Witness.
Thus in the Scriptures as in the works of nature we have presented to us the clearest and most undeniable testimony to a divine wisdom and power.
The wisdom and power may be confounding and wholly inexplicable to reason, but what the Scriptures prove themselves to be as a fact allows only of one explanation. A living God has proved. His grace and power sufficient to work His own will in and through this world's history in order to give His word, which should reveal Himself and His purposes; in the fulfillment of which purposes, creatures, once so fallen and degraded as to believe blessing was to be found in the fulfillment of their own purposes, are to be blessed in learning to know Him as the Author and Accomplisher of all their good.
The character of this evidence is rational. That is, it cannot with reason be denied. If it is rejected, the cause can only be found in the subjective state of man, who is a stranger to Him whose word and work render their two-fold witness to grace, glory mid power wholly divine.