“The Bible of the Twentieth Century is a new book.”
“Myth and legend are related (in the Bible) as though they were actual occurrences.” ... “As we have no means of getting at the facts except through this record, does not the new view of the Bible land us in a state of uncertainty from which there is no escape? The answer to this question must be frankly, Yes, as regards many of the details.”
“The Pentateuch... embodies traditions of immemorial antiquity, and its authors shape to their own conceptions elements of ancient Babylonian lore.”
“The Creation: It is probable, in spite of the striking differences, that the Biblical account of the creation has its ultimate origin in Babylonian mythology. The priestly narrative of Creation is devised from a frankly mythical story, still known to us in the Babylonian form... the same applies to the story of the deluge.”
Abraham: “Even if the historicity of Abraham is accepted, no certainty can be felt with reference to his date.”
The Offering of Isaac: “Concerning the record of the offering of Isaac, probably behind the tale, as we have it there was an earlier legend, explaining why rams were offered at the sanctuary where the tale was told.”
Moses: We cannot identify any composition of Moses in the Pentateuch.”
The Pillar of Fire and Cloud: “Possibly some practice like the carrying of a brazier, with its smoke and flame, at the head of a Greek and Persian army or Arab caravan was the outward and visible source of the symbolic expressions.”
The Delivery of the Law at Sinai: “Realizing its importance, tradition surrounded it with terrifying phenomena such as would be suggested by a thunderstorm, or a volcanic eruption―a fitting framework to a theophany. Moses had led the mixed band of loosely connected tribes and clans to the mountain abode of Yarweh whom his family and the Kenites worshipped.”
These quotations from Peake’s Commentary so far are only a few of those which might be chosen, just as infidel as those which follow.
The Psalms: “We set out to prove that there are no Psalms certainly or even probably Davidic.”
“The Old Testament knows nothing of a suffering Messiah.”
Isaiah: Referring to Isaiah 7:14 verse, “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel, the Commentary says:” Isaiah has no particular woman in view. Any young woman who gives birth to son may call him Immanuel.”
One writer, speaking of the Commentary, says: “It is impossible to exaggerate the mischief that is being wrought by the issue of a Commentary of this kind under cover of suitability for Sunday School teachers, and Christian teachers generally.... It scorches the fingers; one cannot hold it.”
New Testament concerning Christ: “We cannot claim infallibility for Him on questions of history, such as the authorship of the ‘Old Testament’ books or on problems of science. He was One who knew little, if anything of Greek philosophy or Roman law, and nothing of the vast accumulation of knowledge which has been garnered and systematized since His day.”
The Authority of Jesus: “The authority of Jesus in religion must be more carefully defined than by our forefathers.”
The Life of Jesus: “We are still far from having any proof that we have the very words of Jesus, or any guarantee that the events of His life are related with absolute accuracy in the Gospels.”... “It cannot be claimed that all stories of miracles recorded in the Gospels are equally well attested. Suspicion and doubt of varying kinds attach to many of them.”
Could blasphemy go further than this: ―
The denial of all the claims of Christ. A book, so-called Christian, seen on the book-shelves in Christian homes! A book that refers to the resurrection as a “fascinating speculation,” “one of Paul’s most daring pieces of speculation.” From the above quotations it may be asked what is left of any authority of Scripture, or any foundation for an absolute belief of any kind?