0.4. Preface
Preface This work is an effort to offer a comprehensive study in the life of Christ. Book One introduces this study. Much light is thrown upon the teaching of Jesus and the events of His ministry from an intimate knowledge of contemporary events and conditions in Palestine, and the truth or falsity of the claims of Jesus rests largely upon the historical merit of the records of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Much information in this volume has been available for centuries in the original documents, such as the Apocrypha, Josephus, and extant writings of early Christian scholars, and it has been frequently collected by writers who are hostile to the explicit claims of Christ and the New Testament. These writers usually preface their attacks with claims to scientific accuracy and entire absence of prejudice and then they proceed to weave very cleverly into their narration of facts the threads of their skeptical theories, so that the ordinary reader is unaware that theory is being presented as fact and is unable to discriminate between them. An effort has been made to offer a brief and plain survey of the material in this whole field.
Many conservative works which specialize on certain critical problems have appeared in recent years and many older, conservative works which cover the general field are still available. Book One is meant to supplement the older works by a discussion of the more recent theories and problems. Special attention is called to the chapter on the Two-Source Theory. This theory bears the same relation to the modernists’ interpretation of the New Testament that the documentary theory of the origin of the Pentateuch does to their interpretation of the Old Testament. It is a most surprising fact that conservative writers should have concentrated their attention upon the latter instead of the former theory. Some able conservative authors have replied to the documentary theory, but if anyone has published an effort to analyze and discredit the Two-Source Theory, I have failed to see it.
Book Two is an inspirational exposition of the Gospel narratives. It deals with the early period of Christ’s life, including the Sermon on the Mount. No attempt has been made to discuss every detail in the Gospel narratives, but the study has been concentrated upon the great scenes and sermons which show the movement of the narrative and which reveal most significantly the person and program of Jesus. Careful consideration of the whole range of current, critical discussion underlies the work, but the objective has been to present such a portrayal of the life of Jesus as will assist the student of the Bible in living over again with our Christ the scenes supreme in human history.
Book Three is more like a commentary than the other volumes. Instead of presenting discussion of selected scenes and sermons it attempts to consider the content of the entire narratives from the Sermon on the Mount to the Triumphal Entry. Exegesis of the text is combined with discussion of critical problems and practical application.
Book Four treats in detail the final week, beginning with Christ’s arrival at Bethany, and includes the resurrection and ascension.
Two appendices, “The Aramaic Background of the Gospel Narratives” and the “Chronological Outline of the Life of Christ,” are added helps for the Bible scholar. With a burning desire for a deeper understanding of the mysterious glory of our Lord, for obedience to His will, and for proclamation and defense of the Gospel, this volume is sent forth on its mission.