A man thoroughly
furnished for the work, and free from foolish and unauthorized theories,
would have been able to give proof of the substantial truth and divinity
of the Scriptures, and of their transcendent moral and spiritual
excellence, absolutely overwhelming; and I do most heartily wish I had
had the happiness to encounter such an advocate in my discussions. It
might have proved an infinite advantage to me, and an incalculable
blessing to my friends. As it was, the debate only tended to strengthen
me in my unbelief, and to increase my confidence in future controversies
with the clergy.
How I answered my own arguments, and got over my own objections, when on
my way back to Christianity, I may state hereafter. All I need say here
is, that I took a _qualified_ view of the divine authority of the Bible,
and of the doctrine of its divine inspiration,--a view in accordance
with facts, and with the teachings of Scripture itself on the subject.
This view did not require me to demand in a book of divine origin the
kind of abstract or absolute perfection which Dr. Berg required, and
which he so rashly undertook to prove. On the contrary, it taught me to
look for a thousand innocent and unimportant errors and imperfections in
the Bible.
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