FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

NEW SERIES.

VOL. V.	B E T H A N Y,   V A. SEPTEMBER, 1841.	NO. IX.

      THE design of this biblical criticism is not to answer for the Bible, but to make the Bible answer for itself. We would just observe with respect to the proposed object--namely, a practical and profitable use of the holy scriptures, that a prevailing want of such a use of the Divine Book is lamentably evident: and, that to reconcile this neglect with the obvious intention of the Book, that is, the real existence of Christianity, is almost, if not altogether, impossible. For the whole sum and substance, yes, every jot [421] and tittle of the Christian religion, is exclusively contained in the Bible; and, of course, is no where else to be found. And not only so, but the very support and enjoyment of the Christian life depend upon the constant meditation and study of the holy scriptures; and upon a dutiful attention to the religious exercises which they inculcate. So that blessed, and only blessed is the man, whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and who meditates on his law day and night. And who also, if he have a family, makes it forthcoming for their edification; talking of it when he sits in his house, when he walks by the way, when he lies down, and when he rises up; having his heart and his table well furnished with the word of life for those blissful purposes: thus feeding his own soul, and training up his family in the nurture and admonition the Lord.^{1}

      Indeed, how can it be otherwise with the genuine Christian? seeing that every such character is born of God; possessed of, and led by, the Spirit of God; a new creature, whose life is hid with Christ in God; having his affections set upon the things that are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.^{2}

      Is it possible that such a person should not be a prayerful student of the Bible, according to his ability and opportunity, and also a teacher of it in his family, if he have one? What!--a careless, prayerless Christian--careless about the word of God and prayer!!! Would not such an assertion be an astounding paradox--a contradiction in terms:--much the same with--"A graceless Christian?" How is it, then, that in the face of the above quotations, and of a multitude more to the same purpose, that might, be added, persons can be so beguiled as to suppose or profess themselves Christians, in the absence of these qualifications, and neglect of these practices? Surely they must be under the influence of a strong delusion--of an enchanting infatuation.

      And what then?--Is it not high time for such to awake out of this sleep of death? With many of them the day of life is far spent; the night of death is at hand. Should not all such, then, gladly hear that seasonable call of divine mercy?--"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."^{3} It is for the assistance of such professors, as well as of all others that have suffered for want of that proper training from their infancy, which the word of God enjoins, that this catechetical index in the profitable reading of the Holy Scriptures is specially intended:--to such it is respectfully submitted, and affectionately recommended, by their humble servant in the gospel.

T. C.      

      What is the meaning of the word Bible? It means book.--Is every book called a Bible? No.--Why so? Custom has determined otherwise.--But why do we call this book the Bible? By way of eminence, to distinguish it from all other books, for there is none like it.--Why so? Because every other book is made by some human being; but He that made this book is God.--How did he make it? By men divinely inspired for that purpose.-How many, and who were they? We have a distinct account of but thirty-four; namely, Moses, Job, Joshua, Samuel, Gad, Nathan, David, Solomon, Jonah, Joel, Amos, Micah, Hoses, Nahum, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi--Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude.^{4}--How many books does the Bible contain? Sixty-six.--Into how many volumes is it commonly divided? Into two--the Old Testament and the New.--How many books are contained in each? Thirty-nine in the former, and twenty-seven in the latter.--How are the books commonly arranged in each volume? In the Old Testament [422] thus;--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. And in the New thus;--Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of Apostles, Epistle to the Romans,--to the Corinthians, 1st and 2d,--to the Galatians,--the Ephesians,--the Philippians,--the Colossians,--the Thessalonians, 1st and 2d,--to Timothy, 1st and 2d,--Titus,--Philemon,--Hebrews,--Epistle of James,--of Peter, 1st and 2d,--of John, 1st, 2d, and 3d,--of Jude,--and the Apocalypse, or Revelation of John.

      Of what sort of materials does the Bible consist? It consists of histories, prophecies, doctrinal declarations, commands, promises, threatenings, divine institutions, and devotional exercises.--What is that special knowledge which the Bible is divinely designed to teach? It is, 1st. the knowledge of God; 2d. of man; 3d. of sin; 4th. of the Saviour; 5th. of his salvation; 6th. of the principle and means of enjoying it; 7th. of its blissful effects and consequences. These are the seven grand doctrinal topics, in the knowledge, belief, and practical influence of which, consists our present salvation.--Is there any thing else, than the fifteen items above specified, to be attended to in the reading and study of the Divine Book, in order to a clear, comprehensive, and retentive knowledge of its blissful contents? Yes, in order to secure those important advantages, the following things should also be duly considered: namely, who speaks; to whom he speaks; what he says; why, when, and where he said so. N. B. Those twenty-one items, duly attended to in all our readings, together with the contextual connexion of the portion under consideration, and a due attention to the biblical import of certain words and phrases, will bring us as near as possible to a distinct and realizing perception of the divine contents.--How, then, should those things be attended to, so as to answer this desirable purpose? They ought to be attended to catechetically in all our readings, in the following order. Thus--1st. Who speaks? 2d. To whom does he speak? 3d. What does he speak?--Is it histories--prophecies--doctrinal dictations--commands--promises--threatenings--divine institutions, or devotional exercises? Why, when, and where were these things spoken?

      These duly ascertained, with, at the same time, a proper attention to biblical phraseology, puts us into possession of the subject matter and circumstances recorded in the portion read; upon the whole of which, taken together, we next propose to ourselves, or to those we instruct, the following queries, respecting the aforesaid doctrinal topics, which the Bible is specially designed to teach: namely, what do we learn from the present reading concerning God--or man--or sin--or the Saviour--or of his salvation--or of the principle and means of enjoying it--or of its blissful effects and consequences? or, What does the portion, now read, teach us concerning all, or any of these things?

      These queries, however, may be proposed with equal advantage, whilst we are investigating the subject matter of the portion under [423] consideration; thus, if it be a historic, or a prophetic record, or one of a doctrinal character, &c.; and after having duly considered its import, we may immediately proceed to the above queries: namely, What does this history--this prophecy--this doctrinal declaration, &c.--teach us concerning God;--concerning man;--concerning sin;--&c. &c. Thus will we investigate the doctrinal import of the lesson, as we proceed. The peculiar circumstances of the case can only determine, which of these methods of procedure is preferable.

      Upon the whole, let it be well understood, and duly observed, that as it is the sole intention of the Divine Book to teach the students religion and morality; therefore, whatever queries or criticisms have not that tendency, are not only useless, but worse than useless; as tending both to divert the minds of the students from their proper and all-important objects, and also to puff them up with poisonous self-conceit, the native fruit of all such knowledge. Also, let it be well understood, and carefully noted, by all that would duly profit by the study of the Blessed Book, that, as "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, it is God alone that gives the increase:" therefore, it is their indispensable duty and high privilege to look up continually to the throne of grace, that they may be disposed and enabled to "bring forth all the fruits of righteousness, which ate by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God; for without Him we can do nothing."

      N. B. Section 1 is circumstantial and introductory; but Section 2 is descriptive of the subject matter and intention of the Book; and of certain things to be observed for correctly understanding both: both, however, should be perfectly memorized.

      ^{1} Psalm i. 1-3; Deut. vi. 6-9; and xi. 18-21; Jer. xv. 16; Eph. vi. 4.
      ^{2} John i. 12, 13; Rom. v. 9-14; 2 Cor. v. 17; Col. iii. 1-3.
      ^{3} Eph. v. 14.
      ^{4} In the above list we have followed the chronological order of the Polyglott.

[The Millennial Harbinger (September 1841): 421-424.]

      Thomas Campbell's "A Catechetical and Analytical Index to the Study and Teaching of the Bible" was first published in The Millennial Harbinger, New Series, Vol. 5, No. 9, September 1841. The electronic version of the essay has been produced from the College Press reprint (1976) of The Millennial Harbinger, ed. Alexander Campbell (Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1841), pp. 421-424.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. In the printed text, the footnotes are indicated by printers' devices (asterisks, daggers, etc.); in the electronic text, the notes are sequententially numbered and placed at the end of the document. I have let stand variations and inconsistencies in the author's (or editor's) use of italics, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in the essay. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 422:    is at hand [ is at hand.
            in the gospel [ in the gospel.
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 22 March 1998.
Updated 9 July 2003.