Dean Inge's Bible
Every Man's Bible : an Anthology arranged with an- Intro. duction by William Ralph Inge, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's. (Longman. 7s. 6d.)
1` I GUESS we don't know your old English Bible vurry well," said a Transatlantic visitor to Oberammergau, who had lost her way among the Old Testament tableaux. If this dis- tressing condition continues, it will not be the fault of Anglo- Saxon publishers, who are ceaseless in their efforts to make the Scriptures palatable to modem taste, and keep them within the stream of current literature. During the last few years we have had a Modern Reader's Bible, a Shorter Bible, a Children's Bible. Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and Mr. De la Mare have done their best to show us that the Old and New Testaments are such fine literature that we can afford to over- look their doctrinal implications. Dr. Moffatt has replaced dignity by actuality, and translated St. Paul's letters into a vernacular which some find illuminating, and others more irritating than the thorn in the flesh. Now the Dean of St. Paul's gives us, according to the description provided by its publisher, a volume in which " the noblest passages in the Greatest Book in the World are grouped together under Vital Subjects." It is much to be feared that this unfortunate phrase may repel those fastidious readers who do not persevere far enough to discover the Dean's own account of his special reasons for undertaking the work. This is to be regretted, for they will miss acquaintance with a book which, like everything put forth by its distinguished compiler, is indi- vidual and interesting in a high degree.
In a brilliant introductory essay Dr. Inge explains his intentions in compiling this anthology—namely, to guide the reading and meditation of those who still wish to make the Bible their chief devotional book, but are worried by its complexity, and made nervous by the supposed results of scholarship. He then proceeds to a condensed commentary on the books of the Bible, from a point of view which might be described as that of " devout Modernism." This little masterpiece will repay the closest study, and many will be glad to possess the volume for its sake alone. Particularly interesting is the Dean's discussion of the Fourth Gospel, to which he gives considerable space. He adheres to the view that it is essentially a theological and mystical document, late in date and non-historical in character ; but that it is nevertheless " one of the greatest books in the world, and no 'study can be too minute to spend on it."
Yet it is to genuine meditation, not study of the Scriptures that Dr. Inge wishes to lead " Every Man " ; insisting that " the best part of devotional reading is after we have lifted our eyes from the printed page." To coax back the average reader to this wholesome habit, he has arranged great and significant passages on some of the main themes of the Bible—the nature of God, the life and teaching of Christ, and certain selected Christian qualities and experiences—in such a sequence as to bring out their essential character ; eliminating everything which blurs the picture, invites criticism, or dis- turbs the desired train of thought. It is evident that such a work cannot possibly fulfil the promise of the title, and be a Bible for " Every Man." This could only conceivably be -achieved by aiming at the L.C.M. of doctrine and 'spiritual demand, and keeping well within the bounds of an average religious experience : and the result, though it might attract the majority, would have little interest for the mature soul. The Dean has, however, produced a beautiful volume, which will offend no one, and, backed by the prestige of his name, should fulfil his hope that it " may help some readers to re- discover for themselves the inexhaustible treasures which are hidden in the most widely read and incomparably the most important collection of writings in the literature of the world." The fine taste and literary skill with which each catena of passages has been constructed is beyond praise ; and all will find illumination in the brief and stimulating introductions and notes, in which by turns the scholar and the Christian teacher speak. Here the careful reader will be rewarded by some characteristic_ sayings—e.g., that " this is a world where nearly everybody is wanted, and few are wanted very much:" But perhaps it would have been kinder to place this astringent remark under " Humility " instead of under " Death:" Every anthology reflects in some degree the temperament • and outlook of its compiler ; and those who undertake to select from the • Bible can hardly avoid a measure of self_ revelation. The lofty theism, the strong philosophic and ethical interests, the tendency to emphasize thought rather than action, the distrust of emotion, and the non-ecclesiastical tone of the Dean's Christianity, are plainly reflected in these pages ; which would probably please St. Augustine, but.dis- appoint St. Bernard. The opening section on the Being of God, which groups Biblical teaching on the Divine Nature under eight attributes, such as Creator, Judge, Father, Light and Love, is, as we might expect, specially successful. Yet that sense of God acting and self-revealed in the crucial expe- riences of men, which is the peculiar note of Biblical religion, finds few illustrations here : in spite of the just observation that " The words of Loisy, that ' God is never encountered in history ' are the antithesis of the Jewish belief." The call of Moses, the vision of Isaiah, the Annunciation, the death of St. Stephen, the conversion of St. Paul, are not among the subjects on which "Every Man" is invited to meditate. There is plainly a deliberate intention to keep as close as possible to the normal, and avoid stimulation of " the little devil Doubt." More surprising, under the heading of " Christian experience," ' is the omission of any reference to Redemption or Holiness. Nor has room been found for the matchless description of interior conflict in Romans vii : which would surely rouse recognition in anyone possessed of self-knowledge, and redeem from all risk • of complacency the " portrait of a
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