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MISREAD PASSAGES

OF

SCRIPTURE.

SECOND SERIES.

BY

J. BALDWIN BROWN, B.A.,
Author of "The Divine Life in Man," "The Home Life," &c., &c.

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Butler & Tanner,

The Selwood Printing Works,

Frome, and London

PREFACE.

THE kind reception which was accorded to a former series of papers on Misread Passages of Scripture has led me to prepare a new series for the press. At no period probably was the interest manifested in the true interpretation of Scripture greater than it is at present. As the Bible becomes the subject of free and intelligent criticism, and men bring to bear upon it the same discrimination which they use in their judgment of other books, they find out for themselves how unlike it is to all other books, and how fully it is charged with a wisdom which is from a deeper than a human spring. We have been tempted to adopt, in our solicitude for the safety of the Bible, the policy of the pagan Olympus. We have flung around the object of our care a sheltering mist, which, while no doubt it has baffled many an assailant, has robbed it of its power of self defence-that self manifestation wherein lies the victorious strength of everything that is of God. When shall we learn that the Bible has more to fear from the policy of short-sighted defenders than from the assaults of searching critics, and leave it free to speak its own word and do its own work in the world?

The last few years have wrought a great emancipation for the Bible; and the kind of interest which is

now taken in its truths and its teachings is healthy and full of promise. Many of the difficulties with which it is supposed to be cumbered disappear the moment that an open eye is brought to bear upon them, and the reader is willing to interpret the parts in the spirit and by the light of the whole. To help young students, as far as lies in my power, to bring the open eye to bear on the sacred records, is the main purpose of this little book. It differs from the former in one important respect. It is less a criticism of particular texts which appear to be popularly misinterpreted, than a consideration of scriptural subjects on which much misunderstanding exists, owing mainly to the supposed teaching of various passages of the word of God. I have discussed a few of these in a

free, simple, and I hope suggestive manner. I have not aimed in any case at an exhaustive argument. My object has been, as before, to stimulate and guide thought on biblical questions, rather than to formulate conclusions. If I can lead any thoughtful young students to read the Bible for themselves, with a desire to discover what the whole word teaches, rather than to rest on an isolated text, as though the whole mind of the Spirit on that point were there expressed, my object will have been gained.

J. BALDWIN BROWN.

CLAPHAM, September, 1870.

Misread Passages of Scripture.

one.

I.

THE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY.

"There shall be one fold, and one shepherd."-JOHN x. 16. LITERALLY, "there shall be one flock, one shepherd." The difference between the two renderings is a grave The mistranslation of the words of the Saviour in the English version is most unfortunate, as I believe that it has been at the root of much serious misapprehension of the true nature of that unity of the church which was contemplated by the Lord. "One flock, with one Shepherd," is distinctly the prevision of Christ. The word rightly rendered "fold" in the earlier portion of the verse is in this last clause advisedly changed, to the word which can only be translated "flock." Not one "fold;" many folds it might be, many visible bodies, many diverse forms of thought and energy; but one flock-one spirit, one heart to hear and to obey the Master, one hope, one home in the "general assembly and church of the firstborn" on high.

We

e mourn over the divisions of Christendom, and

B

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