The Apostle Paul. By A. Sabatier. Translated by A. N.
Haller. (Hodder and Stoughton.)—Professor Sabatier is an orthodox theologian, with an open mind, and, as Mr. Findlay (who has added an essay on the Pastoral Epistles) remarks, with a somewhat too heavy leaning against the "older ecclesiastical
theology.' " Professor Sabatier proceeds on the theory of a develop- ment in the doctrine of St. Paul, a process which does not neces- sarily imply contradiction between the earlier and the latter. Ile goes, indeed, to some lengths in this direction, regarding, for instance, the suasions to celibacy in II. Corinthians as dictated by the Apostle's views as to the approaching end of the world. "it is his eschatological views which, in this instance, check and trammel the Apostle's reasoning." We may not agree with this, but how much more likely to be fruitful of good work is this attitude of mind than that which takes its stand on the dogma of a mechanical inspiration ? Professor Sabatier held at one time that the Antichrist of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians was Judaism, while accepting the view that the re ncirexoy was the Roman power ; but this theory he is now inclined to modify. Indeed, his readiness to modify his views in the light of later research is a remarkable characteristic. Here, again, he offers a pleasing contrast to the so-called orthodox theologians, with their unvarying non possumus. This is a book which will well repay careful study.
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