The Problem of the Old Testament: Considered with Reference to Recent Criticism
Overview
The Problem of the Old Testament Considered with Reference to Recent Criticism begins with a preliminary survey of the witness which the Old Testament itself bears, in its structure, and in the uniqueness of its history and religion, to its own authority and inspiration as the record of God’s revelation to His ancient people. James Orr then asks the question: how far is this view which the Old Testament gives of itself affected by the results of modern criticism? Orr then shows that the essential outlines of the patriarchal and Mosaic history and the outstanding facts of the religion and institutions of the Old Testament are not sensibly affected—that they are not, and cannot be, overturned. Orr also examines the bearing of archeology on the Old Testament, the age of the Psalter, the reality of predictive prophecy, the progressiveness of divine revelation, and much more.
James Orr (1844–1913) was minister of the East Bank United Presbyterian Church in Hawick, Scotland, from 1874–1891, and professor of church history in the Theological College of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland from 1874–1901. From 1901, he was professor of apologetics and theology at Glasgow College of the United Free Church. He was among the chief promoters for the union between the Free and United Presbyterian Churches in Scotland. He lectured at seminaries all over the world and was a prolific writer and editor.
Orr served as the editor for the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1915 Edition, contributed four volumes to the The Pulpit Commentary, and is featured in The Fundamentals (4 vols.).