PCA HISTORICAL CENTER
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Robert Dick Wilson's Introduction
to The Bible Under Fire
by John L. Campbell, D.D.

(New York: Harper & Brothers, 1928), pages xv - xviii.

INTRODUCTION

To form a correct judgment of a literary work it is necessary to consider the purpose of the author, the way in which he has sought to fulfill his purpose, and the degree in which he has accomplished his purpose. Dr. Campbell clearly states his purpose as being to present to inquirers, especially young people who are "perplexed and bewildered" by the modern attacks on the Bible, an abundant and convincing answer to these attacks, the answer being gathered from evidence scattered through many publications, but difficult and, in fact, impossible of access to the ordinary reader. In order to accomplish this purpose he seeks first of all to vindicate the historical accuracy of the Bible; secondly, he defends the trustworthiness of the great saving doctrines of Christianity; and lastly, he exposes the unscientific character of the evolutionary theory of the universe and ridicules the absurd and variant attempts of the evolutionary philosophers to account for Creation, especially when contrasted with the grand and simple account of the Word of God.

In our judgment, he has admirably accomplished his purpose. The discussion is straightforward and easy to understand. He cites in their own words what he considers to be the first authorities and draws his examples from the best known sources of information. Surely, if one's mind is open to conviction as to the truth of the Scriptures, he will not fail to be convinced by the clear and cogent reasoning set forth in this volume.

The necessity of such work as this will be apparent to anyone who is cognizant of the unbelief in God and Christ and His Word that prevails even to a large extent among the ministers, as well as among the laymen, not merely of the world, but also of the professed Christians of the land. Many college students now come to the theological seminaries with their faith undermined by the teachings which they have received in the course of their preparation, and the work of the seminary consists largely of an attempt to rebuild the foundations of belief. Much of the literature for the Sunday-school teachers and scholars is tainted with the breath of skepticism. Predictions and miracles are rudely set aside by the wise men of this world as mythical and inconceivable. The preaching of many omits all mention of the Atonement, and the gospel is made of none effect by those who deny or ignore the central truths of our holy religion. It is these facts, which are clear to everyone who has eyes or ears, that cause the necessity for such works as this. It is facts like these that will make this work a godsend to many doubting minds. It will be useful in removing doubts and in confirming faith. For no one can possibly read The Bible Under Fire without seeing that the Christian believer has a reasonable ground (or at least that he thinks he has) for accepting the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as credible and their teaching as authoritative. He cannot be laughed out of court; for he has a mass of evidence in favor of his views of God and Christ, of creation, of sin and redemption, such as we search for in vain in all the philosophies of men. For, after all is said, "hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." This is "the message of the Cross"; and it is the privilege and joy of men like Dr. Campbell to allege and prove that to-day, as always, this message and the Book that contains the message are the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. May God bless this book and cause it to strengthen the faith of all who read it!

R. D. WILSON
Princeton, December 20, 1927