word, and even every letter of Scripture, was directly dictated by God
himself, seems sadly mechanical and bears the marks of the narrow
schools of thought in which it took form. Hebrew was not, and probably
will never be, the language of heaven! Not on skins and papyrus rolls,
but in the life of the Israelitish race and on the minds and consciences
of enlightened men, God wrote his revelation. History and the character
and consciousness of the human race are its imperishable records.
Fortunately he also aroused certain men of old, not by word and act
only, but by the pen as well, to record the revelation that was being
perfected in the life of their nation and in their own minds and hearts.
He did not, however, dictate to them the form of their writings nor
vouch for their verbal inerrancy. In time, out of their writings were
gradually collected and combined the most significant passages and
books, and to these was finally attributed the authority that they now
rightfully enjoy.

[Sidenote: _Secondary sources of its authority_]

The ultimate basis of that authority, however, is not their presence in
the canon of the Old Testament. At the same time their presence there is
deeply significant, for it represents the indorsement of many ages and
of countless thousands who, from the most varied points of view and amid
the most diverse experiences, have tested and found these ancient
scriptures worthy of the exalted position that has gradually been
assigned to them. It is not the support of the Church, although this
also for the same reason is exceedingly significant. It is not the calm
assumption, of authority that appears at every point throughout the Old
Testament, although this is richly suggestive; the sacred writings of
other religions make even more pretentious claims. It is not that its
commands and doctrines come from the mouths of great prophets and