The Message of Hosea

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...very different footing, since it will become the only instance of the excision of a Restoration passage, and retention, instead of being the exception, will become the rule in regard to these passages. It is unnecessary to do more than refer to the arguments which have been already advanced in favour of the retention of the passages containing the doctrine of "I.C.C.."p.408. future restoration, but on the other hand these arguments should not be forgotten. The contention that the beauty of a passage is a valid evidence for its authenticity, is as applicable here, if not, indeed, more applicable, than when it was advanced on behalf of the very noble passages of the second chapter. This last chapter is no whit inferior, some may even think it superior, to the earlier section. Further, if it is to go, it will have to go in its entirety, and will have to be considered as a deliberate attempt to impose upon the reader a doctrine at variance with the doctrine of the prophet. The many resemblances to the characteristic phraseology of Hosea which will shortly have to be considered, will thus become proofs of a fraudulent intention, and of an attempt to make the reader suppose that he had in his hands a genuine utterance of the prophet himself. There have, it is true, been previous instances of what can hardly be denied to be interpolations, but these instances stand convicted both by the confusion which they introduce into the text, and by their manifest inferiority to their environment. They are the work of mere bunglers; but if this passage be regarded as an interpolation, it must yet be acknowledged as a work of real genius, being not merely beautiful in itself but a most skilful imitation of an author possessed of a most original and unusual style. Su...