priests, like Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. This fact undoubtedly
had great weight with those who formed the final canon of the Old
Testament, and the authority of a strong, noble personality is supremely
impressive; but divine authority never emanates primarily from a man,
however great be his sanctity. Furthermore, to establish the authority
derived from a Moses or a Samuel it is necessary in every case to prove
that the books attributed to them by late tradition actually came from
their pens. Even if this could in every case be done, some of the
noblest passages in the Old Testament remain avowedly anonymous; for the
tendency of the great majority of its authors was clearly to send forth
their messages without any attempt to associate their own names with
them.

[Sidenote: _Its ultimate basis of authority_]

The ultimate authority of the Old Testament, therefore, is not dependent
upon devoted canon-makers, nor the weighty testimony of the Church, nor
upon its own claims, nor the reputation of the inspired men who have
written it, nor the estimate of any age. Its seat of authority is more
fundamental. It contains the word of God because it faithfully records
and interprets the most important events in the early religious history
of man, and simply and effectively presents God's revelation of himself
and of his will in the minds and hearts of the great pre-Christian
heralds of ethical and spiritual truth. Back of the Old Testament is a
vast variety of vital experiences, national and individual, political
and spiritual, social and ethical, pleasurable and painful. Back of all
these deeply significant experiences is God himself, through them making
known his character and laws and purpose to man.

[Sidenote: _Its authority ethical and religious, not scientific_]