,,! ,,lights ,,( ,,! ,,*ur* ,,& ,,!     
,,light ,,( ,,sci5ce  ,,essay #f ,,f    
,,sci5ce ,,& ,,hebrew ,,tradition   ,by 
,?omas ,h5ry ,huxley    ,!re are ?ree   
ways ( reg>d+ any acc\nt ( pa/          
occurr5ces1 :e!r deliv]$ to u orally or 
record$ 9 writ+4  ,! n>rative may be    
exactly true4 ,t is to say1 ! words1    
tak5 9 _! natural s5se1 & int]pret$     
accord+ to ! rules ( gramm>1 may convey 
to ! m9d ( ! he>]1 or ( ! read] an idea 
precisely correspond5t ) "o :i* w\ld h  
rema9$ 9 ! m9d ( a witness4 ,= example1 
! /atem5t t ,k+ ,*>les ! ,fir/ 0 behead$
 at ,:itehall on ! #cj? day ( ,janu>y   
#afdi1 is z exactly true z any          
proposition 9 ma!matics or physics2 no  
"o d\bts t any p]son ( s\nd faculties1  
prop]ly plac$1 :o 0 pres5t at ,:itehall 
?r\gh\t t day1 & :o us$ 8 eyes1 w\ld h  
se5 ! ,k+'s head cut (f2 & t !re w\ld h 
rema9$ 9 8 m9d an idea ( t occurr5ce :i*
 he w\ld h put into words ( ! same value
 z ^? :i* we use to express x4  ,or !   
n>rative may be p>tly true & p>tly      

false4 ,?us1 "s hi/ories ( ! "t tell u  
:at ! ,k+ said1 & :at ,bi%op ,juxon     
said2 or report royali/ conspiracies to 
effect a rescue2 or detail ! motives :i*
 induc$ ! *iefs ( ! ,commonweal? to     
resolve t ! ,k+ %\ld die4 ,"o acc\nt    
decl>es t ! ,k+ knelt at a high block1  
ano!r t he lay d[n ) 8 neck on a m]e    
plank4 ,& !re are contempor>y pictorial 
repres5tations ( bo? ^! modes (         
proc$ure4 ,su* n>ratives1 :ile v]aci\s z
 to ! ma9 ev5t1 may & d exhibit v>i\s   
degrees ( unconsci\s & consci\s         
misrepres5tation1 suppression1 &        
inv5tion1 till !y become h>dly          
di/+ui%able f pure fictions4 ,?us1 !y   
pres5t a transition to n>ratives ( a    
?ird class1 9 :i* ! fictiti\s elem5t    
pr$om9ates4 ,"h1 aga91 !re are all      
imag9able gradations1 f su* works z     
,defoe's quasi-hi/orical acc\nt ( !     
,plague ye>1 :i* probably gives a tru]  
conception ( t dreadful "t ?an any      
au!ntic hi/ory1 ?r\gh ! hi/orical novel1
 drama1 & epic1 to ! purely phantasmal  

creations ( imag9ative g5ius1 su* z !   
old ,arabian ,nights or ! mod]n ,%av+ ( 
,%agpat4 ,x is n /rictly ne$ful = my    
pres5t purpose t ,i %\ld say any?+ ab\t 
n>ratives :i* are pr(ess$ly fictiti\s4  
,yet x may be well1 p]haps1 if ,i       
disclaim any int5tion ( d]ogat+ f _!    
value1 :5 ,i insi/ ^u ! p>am\nt         
necessity ( recollect+ t !re is no sort 
( relation betwe5 ! e?ical1 or !        
ae/hetic1 or ev5 ! sci5tific importance 
( su* works1 & _! wor? z hi/orical      
docum5ts4 ,unque/ionably1 to ! poetic   
arti/1 or ev5 to ! /ud5t ( psy*ology1   
,hamlet & ,macbe? may be bett]          
in/ructors ?an all ! books ( a wild]ness
 ( pr(essors ( ae/hetics or ( moral     
philosophy4 ,b1 z evid5ce ( occurr5ces 9
 ,d5m>k1 or 9 ,scotl&1 at ! times &     
places indicat$1 !y are out ( c\rt2 !   
pr(\nde/ admiration = !m1 ! deepe/      
gratitude = _! influ5ce1 are consi/5t ) 
! k t1 hi/orically speak+1 !y are       
wor?less fables1 9 :i* any f\ndation (  
reality t may exi/ is subm]g$ b5ea? !   

imag9ative sup]/ructure4  ,at pres5t1   
h[ev]1 ,i am n conc]n$ to dwell ^u !    
importance ( fictiti\s lit]ature & !    
imm5sity ( ! "w :i* x has effect$ 9 !   
education ( ! human race4 ,i propose to 
deal ) ! mu* m limit$ inquiry3 ,are !re 
two o!r classes ( consecutive n>ratives 
7z di/9ct f /atem5ts ( individual       
facts71 or only "o8 ,is !re any kn[n    
hi/orical "w :i* is ?r\gh\t exactly     
true1 or is !re n8 ,9 ! case ( ! great  
majority ( hi/ories ! answ] is n        
d\btful3 !y are all only p>tially true4 
,ev5 ^? v5]able works :i* be> ! names ( 
"s ( ! greate/ ( anci5t ,greek & ,roman 
writ]s1 & :i* h be5 accept$ by g5]ation 
aft] g5]ation1 d[n to mod]n times1 z    
/ories ( unque/ionable tru?1 h be5      
compell$ by sci5tific criticism1 aft] a 
long battle1 to desc5d to ! common      
level1 & to confession to a l>ge        
admixture ( error4 ,i might fairly take 
?is = grant$2 b x may be well t ,i %\ld 
entr5* myself beh9d ! v apposite words (
 a hi/orical au?ority :o is c]ta9ly n   

obnoxi\s to ev5 a suspicion ( sceptical 
t5d5cies4 #a      ,"t 0--& t n v long   
ago--:5 all ! relations (     anci5t    
au?ors conc]n+ ! old _w 7 receiv$ ) a   
ready belief2 & an unreason+ &          
uncritical fai? accept$     ) equal     
satisfaction ! n>rative ( ! campaigns ( 
,caes>     & ( ! do+s ( ,romulus1 !     
acc\nt ( ,alex&]'s m>*es     & ( !      
conque/s ( ,semiramis4 ,we c mo/ ( u    
rememb]     :51 9 ?is c\ntry1 ! :ole    
/ory ( regal ,rome1 & ev5     ! leg5d ( 
! ,trojan settlem5t 9 ,latium1 7 s]i\sly
     plac$ be=e boys z hi/ory1 &        
disc\rs$ ( z     unhesitat+ly & 9 z     
dogmatic a tone z ! tale ( !            
,catill9e ,conspiracy or ! ,conque/ (   
,brita94444      ,b all ?is is n[ *ang$4
 ,! la/ c5tury has se5 ! bir?     & gr[?
 ( a new sci5ce--! ,sci5ce ( ,hi/orical 
,criticism4444 ,! :ole _w ( pr(ane      
hi/ory has be5     revolutionis$4444    
,if ^! utt]ances 7 true :5 !y fell f !  
lips ( a ,bampton lectur] 9 #ahei1 ) h[ 
mu* great] =ce d !y appeal to u n[1 :5 !

 imm5se lab\rs ( ! g5]ation n[ pass+    
away con/itute "o va/ illu/ration ( !   
p[] & fruitfulness ( sci5tific me?ods ( 
inve/igation 9 hi/ory1 no less ?an 9 all
 o!r dep>tm5ts ( k4  ,at ! pres5t "t1 ,i
 suppose1 !re is no "o :o d\bts t       
hi/ories :i* app]ta9 to any o!r p ?an ! 
,jews1 & _! spiritual prog5y 9 ! fir/   
c5tury1 fall )9 ! second class ( ! ?ree 
enum]at$4 ,l ,goe!'s ,autobiography1 !y 
might all be entitl$ ,wahrheit und      
,di*tung--,tru? & ,fiction4 ,!          
proportion ( ! two con/itu5ts *anges    
indef9itely2 & ! quality ( ! fiction    
v>ies ?r\gh ! :ole gamut ( unv]acity4 ,b
 ,di*tung is always !re4 ,= ! mo/ acute 
& le>n$ ( hi/orians _c rem$y !          
imp]fections ( 8 s\rces ( in=mation2 nor
 c ! mo/ imp>tial :olly escape !        
influ5ce ( ! p]sonal equation g5]at$ by 
8 temp]am5t & by 8 education4 ,!re=e1 f 
! n>ratives ( ,h]odotus to ^? set =? 9  
ye/]day's ,times1 all hi/ory is to be   
read subject to ! w>n+ t fiction has its
 %>e !re94 ,! mod]n va/ developm5t (    

fugitive lit]ature _c be ! unmitigat$   
evil t "s d va9ly say x is1 s9ce x has  
put an end to ! popul> delusion ( less  
press-ridd5 times1 t :at appe>s 9 pr9t  
mu/ be true4 ,we %\ld r hope t "s       
b5efic5t influ5ce may create among !    
erudite a l heal?y suspicion (          
manuscripts & inscriptions1 h[ev]       
anci5t2 = a bullet9 may lie1 ev5 ?\gh x 
be writt5 9 cunei=m *>act]s4 ,hotspur's 
/>l+1 t 0 to be taught to speak no?+ b  
,mortim] into ! e>s ( ,k+ ,h5ry ! ,f\r?1
 might be a useful inmate ( e hi/orian's
 libr>y1 if ,fiction 7 sub/itut$ = ! "n 
( ,h>ry ,p]cy's fri5d4  ,b x 0 ! *ief   
object ( ! lectur] to ! congregation    
ga!r$ 9 ,/4 ,m>y's1 ,ox=d1 ?irty-"o ye>s
 ago1 to prove to !m1 by evid5ce ga!r$ )
 no little lab\r & m>%all$ ) mu* skill1 
t "o gr\p ( hi/orical works 0 exempt f !
 g5]al rule2 & t ! n>ratives conta9$ 9 !
 canonical ,scriptures are free f any   
admixture ( error4 ,) ju/ice & c&\r1 !  
lectur] impresses ^u 8 he>]s t ! special
 di/9ction ( ,*ri/ianity1 among !       

religions ( ! _w1 lies 9 its claim to be
 hi/orical2 to be surely f\nd$ ^u ev5ts 
:i* h happ5$1 exactly z !y are decl>$ to
 h happ5$ 9 its sacr$ books2 :i* are    
true1 t is1 9 ! s5se t ! /atem5t ab\t ! 
execution ( ,*>les ! ,fir/ is true4     
,fur!r1 x is affirm$ t ! ,new ,te/am5t  
presupposes ! hi/orical exactness ( !   
,old ,te/am5t2 t ! po9ts ( contact (    
sacr$ & pr(ane hi/ory are innum]able2 & 
t ! demon/ration ( ! falsity ( ! ,hebrew
 records1 especially 9 reg>d to ^?      
n>ratives :i* are assum$ to be true 9 ! 
,new ,te/am5t1 w\ld be fatal to ,*ri/ian
 !ology4  ,my utmo/ +5uity does n enable
 me to discov] a flaw 9 ! argum5t ?us   
briefly summ>is$4 ,i am fairly at a loss
 to compreh5d h[ any "o1 = a mom5t1 c   
d\bt t ,*ri/ian !ology mu/ /& or fall ) 
! hi/orical tru/wor?9ess ( ! ,jewi%     
,scriptures4 ,! v conception ( !        
,messiah1 or ,*ri/1 is inextricably     
int]wov5 ) ,jewi% hi/ory2 !             
id5tification ( ,jesus ( ,naz>e? ) t    
,messiah re/s ^u ! int]pretation (      

passages ( ! ,hebrew ,scriptures :i* h  
no evid5tial value unless !y possess !  
hi/orical "* assign$ to !m4 ,if !       
cov5ant ) ,abraham 0 n made2 if         
circumcision & sacrifices 7 n orda9$ by 
,jahveh2 if ! t5 words 7 n writt5 by    
,god's h& on ! /one tables2 if ,abraham 
is m or less a my?ical h]o1 su* z       
,!seus2 ! /ory ( ! ,deluge a fiction2 t 
( ! ,fall a leg5d2 & t ( ! creation !   
dream ( a se]2 if all ^! def9ite &      
detail$ n>ratives ( app>5tly real ev5ts 
h no m value z hi/ory ?an h ! /ories ( !
 regal p]iod ( ,rome--:at is to be said 
ab\t ! ,messianic doctr9e1 :i* is s mu* 
less cle>ly enunciat$8 ,& :at ab\t !    
au?ority ( ! writ]s ( ! books ( ! ,new  
,te/am5t1 :o1 on ?is !ory1 h n m]ely    
accept$ flimsy fictions = solid tru?s1 b
 h built ! v f\ndations ( ,*ri/ian dogma
 ^u leg5d>y quicks&s8  ,b ^! may be said
 to be m]ely ! c>p+s ( t c>nal reason   
:i* ! pr(ane call common s5se2 ,i ha/51 
!re=e1 to br+ up ! =ces ( unimpea*able  
ecclesia/ical au?ority 9 support ( my   

position4 ,9 a s]mon prea*$ la/         
,decemb]1 9 ,/4 ,paul's ,ca!dral1 #b    
,canon ,liddon decl>es3--  ,= ,*ri/ians 
x w be en\gh to "k t our ,"l ,jesus     
,*ri/ set ! seal ( ,8 infallible        
sanction on ! :ole ( ! ,old ,te/am5t4   
,he f\nd ! ,hebrew canon z we h x 9 our 
h&s to-day1 & ,he treat$ x z an au?ority
 :i* 0 above discussion4 ,nay m3 ,he w5t
 out ( ,8 way--if we may rev]5tly speak 
?us--to sanction n a few portions ( x   
:i* mod]n scepticism rejects4 ,:5 ,he   
w\ld w>n ,8 he>]s aga9/ ! dang]s (      
spiritual relapse1 ,he bids !m rememb]  
',lot's wife4' #c ,:5 ,he w\ld po9t out 
h[ worldly engagem5ts may bl9d ! s\l to 
a com+ judgm5t1 ,he rem9ds !m h[ m5 ate1
 & drank1 & m>ri$1 & 7 giv5 9 m>riage1  
until ! day t ,noah ent]$ into ! ark1 & 
! ,flood came & de/roy$ !m all4 #d ,if  
,he w\ld put ,8 f+] on a fact 9 pa/     
,jewi% hi/ory :i*1 by its admitt$       
reality1 w\ld w>rant belief 9 ,8 own    
com+ ,resurrection1 ,he po9ts to        
,jonah's be+ ?ree days & ?ree nights 9 !

 :ale's belly 7p4 #bc74 #e  ,! prea*]   
proce$s to bru% aside ! common--,i _h   
almo/ said vulg>--apologetic pretext t  
,jesus 0 us+ ad hom9em argum5ts1 or     
accommodat+ 8 bett] k to popul>         
ignorance1 z well z to po9t out !       
inadmissibility ( ! o!r alt]native1 t he
 %>$ ! popul> ignorance4 ,& to ^? :o    
hold ! latt] view s>casm is dealt out ) 
no nigg>d h&4      ,b !y w f9d x        
difficult to p]suade mank9d t1 if ,he   
c\ld be mi/ak5 on a matt] ( su* /rictly 
religi\s     importance z ! value ( !   
sacr$ lit]ature ( ,8     c\ntrym51 ,he c
 be safely tru/$ ab\t any?+ else4 ,!    
tru/wor?9ess ( ! ,old ,te/am5t is1 9    
fact1 insep>able     f ! tru/wor?9ess ( 
our ,"l ,jesus ,*ri/2 & if we           
believe t ,he is ! true ,light ( ! _w1  
we %all close     our e>s aga9/         
sugge/ions impair+ ! cr$it ( ^?         
,jewi% ,scriptures :i* h receiv$ ! /amp 
( ,8 ,div9e     au?ority4 7p4 #be7      
,moreov]1 ,i le>n f ! public j\rnals t a
 brilliant & %>ply-cut view ( or?odoxy1 

( l hue & patt]n1 0 only ! o!r day      
exhibit$ 9 t great !ological            
kaleidoscope1 ! pulpit ( ,/4 ,m>y's1    
recall+ ! "t s long pass$ by1 :5 a      
,bampton lectur]1 9 ! same place1 p]=m$ 
! unusual feat ( leav+ ! fai? (         
old-fa%ion$ ,*ri/ians undi/urb$4  ,yet  
_m ?+s h happ5$ 9 ! int]v5+ ?irty-"o    
ye>s4 ,! ,bampton lectur] ( #ahei _h to 
grapple only ) ! infant ,h]cules (      
hi/orical criticism2 & he is n[ a       
full-gr[n a?lete1 be>+ on 8 %\ld]s !    
spoils ( all ! lions t h /ood 9 8 pa?4  
,surely a m>tyr's c\rage1 z well z a    
m>tyr's fai?1 is ne$$ by any "o :o1 at  
?is "t1 is prep>$ to /& by ! foll[+ plea
 = ! v]acity ( ! ,p5tateu*3--  ,adam1   
accord+ to ! ,hebrew orig9al1 0 = #bdc  
ye>s contempor>y ) ,me?uselah1 :o       
conv]s$ = a hundr$ ye>s ) ,%em4 ,%em 0 =
 fifty ye>s contempor>y ) ,jacob1 :o    
probably saw ,jo*eb$1 ,moses's "m4 ,?us1
 ,moses might by oral tradition h obta9$
 ! hi/ory ( ,abraham1 & ev5 ( ! ,deluge1
 at ?ird h&2 & t ( ! ,temptation & !    

,fall at fif? h&4444  ,if x be grant$--z
 x seems to be--t ! great & /irr+ ev5ts 
9 a nation's life w1 "u ord9>y          
circum/ances1 be rememb]$ 7ap>t f all   
writt5 memorials7 = ! space ( #aej ye>s1
 be+ h&$ d[n ?r\gh five g5]ations1 x mu/
 be all[$ 7ev5 on m human gr\nds7 t !   
acc\nt :i* ,moses gives ( ! ,temptation 
& ! ,fall is to be dep5d$ ^u1 if x pass$
 ?r\gh no m ?an f\r h&s betwe5 him &    
,adam4 #f  ,if ! tru/wor?9ess ( our ,"l 
,jesus ,*ri/ is to /& or fall ) ! belief
 9 ! sudd5 transmutation ( ! *emical    
compon5ts ( a woman's body into sodium  
*loride1 or on ! admitt$ reality (      
,jonah's ejection1 safe & s\nd1 on !    
%ores ( ! ,levant1 aft] ?ree days'      
sea-j\rney 9 ! /oma* ( a gigantic m>9e  
animal1 :at possible pretext c !re be = 
ev5 h9t+ a d\bt z to ! precise tru? ( ! 
longevity attribut$ to ! ,patri>*s8 ,:o 
t has swall[$ ! camel ( ,jonah's j\rney 
w be guilty ( ! affectation ( /ra9+ at  
su* a hi/orical gnat--nay1 midge--z !   
supposition t ! "m ( ,moses 0 told !    

/ory ( ! ,flood by ,jacob2 :o _h x      
/raight f ,%em2 :o 0 on fri5dly t]ms )  
,me?uselah2 :o knew ,adam q well8  ,yet1
 by ! /range irony ( ?+s1 ! illu/ri\s   
bro!r ( ! div9e :o prop\nd$ ?is         
rem>kable !ory1 has be5 ! guide & =emo/ 
work] ( t b& ( inve/igators ( ! records 
( ,assyria & ( ,babylonia1 :o h op5$ to 
our view1 n m]ely a new *apt]1 b a new  
volume ( primeval hi/ory1 relat+ to ! v 
p :o h ! mo/ num]\s po9ts ( contact ) ! 
life ( ! anci5t ,hebrews4 ,n[1 :atev]   
imp]fections may yet obscure ! full     
value ( ! ,mesopotamian records1 ev]y?+ 
t has be5 cle>ly asc]ta9$ t5ds to !     
conclusion t ! assignm5t ( no m ?an     
#djjj ye>s to ! p]iod betwe5 ! "t ( !   
orig9 ( mank9d & t ( ,augu/us ,caes>1 is
 :olly inadmissible4 ,!re=e ! ,biblical 
*ronology1 :i* ,canon ,rawl9son tru/$ s 
implicitly 9 #ahei1 is relegat$ by all  
s]i\s critics to ! doma9 ( fable4  ,b if
 sci5tific me?od1 op]at+ 9 ! region (   
hi/ory1 ( philology1 ( ar*aeology1 9 !  
c\rse ( ! la/ ?irty or =ty ye>s1 has    

become ?us =midable to ! !ological      
dogmati/1 :at may n be said ab\t        
sci5tific me?od work+ 9 ! prov9ce (     
physical sci5ce8 ,=1 if x be true t !   
,canonical ,scriptures h innum]able     
po9ts ( contact ) civil hi/ory1 x is no 
less true t !y h almo/ z _m ) natural   
hi/ory2 & _! accuracy is put to ! te/ z 
sev]ely by ! latt] z by ! =m]4 ,! orig9 
( ! pres5t /ate ( ! heav5s & ! e>? is a 
problem :i* lies /rictly )9 ! prov9ce ( 
physical sci5ce2 s is t ( ! orig9 ( man 
among liv+ ?+s2 s is t ( ! physical     
*anges :i* ! e>? has und]gone s9ce !    
orig9 ( man2 s is t ( ! orig9 ( ! v>i\s 
races & nations ( m51 ) all _! v>ieties 
( language & physical con=mation4 ,:e!r 
! e>? moves r\nd ! sun or ! contr>y2    
:e!r ! bodily & m5tal diseases ( m5 &   
animals are caus$ by evil spirits or n2 
:e!r !re is su* an ag5cy z wit*craft or 
n--all ^! are purely sci5tific que/ions2
 & to all ( !m ! ,canonical ,scriptures 
pr(ess to give true answ]s4 ,& ?\gh no?+
 is m common ?an ! assumption t ^! books

 come into conflict only ) ! speculative
 "p ( mod]n physical sci5ce1 no         
assumption c h less f\ndation4  ,!      
antagonism betwe5 natural k & !         
,p5tateu* w\ld be z great if !          
speculations ( our "t _h nev] be5 he>d  
(4 ,x arises out ( contradiction ^u     
matt]s ( fact4 ,! books ( ecclesia/ical 
au?ority decl>e t c]ta9 ev5ts happ5$ 9 a
 c]ta9 fa%ion2 ! books ( sci5tific      
au?ority say !y did n4 ,z x seems t ?is 
unque/ionable tru? has n yet p5etrat$   
among _m ( ^? :o speak & write on ^!    
subjects1 x may be useful to give a full
 illu/ration ( x4 ,& = t purpose ,i     
propose to deal1 at "s l5g?1 ) !        
n>rative ( ! ,noa*ian ,deluge giv5 9    
,g5esis4   ,! ,bampton lectur] 9 #ahei1 
& ! ,canon ( ,/4 ,paul's 9 #ahij1 are 9 
full agreem5t t ?is hi/ory is true1 9 ! 
s5se 9 :i* ,i h def9$ hi/orical tru?4 ,!
 =m] is ( op9ion t ! acc\nt attribut$ to
 ,b]osus records a tradition--     n    
drawn f ! ,hebrew record1 mu* less !    
f\ndation (    t record2 yet co9cid+ ) x

 9 ! mo/ rem>kable way4    ,!           
,babylonian v]sion is trick$ out ) a few
 extravagances1    z ! mon/r\s size ( ! 
vessel & ! translation (    ,xisu?ros2 b
 o!rwise x is ! ,hebrew hi/ory d[n to   
its    m9utiae4 7p4 #fd74  ,moreov]1    
correct+ ,niebuhr1 ! ,bampton lectur]   
po9ts out t ! n>rative ( ,b]osus implies
 ! univ]sality ( ! ,flood4     ,x is    
pla9 t ! wat]s are repres5t$ z prevail+ 
above    ! tops ( ! l(tie/ m\nta9s 9    
,arm5ia--a height :i*    mu/ h be5 se5  
to involve ! subm]sion ( all !          
c\ntries ) :i* ! ,babylonians 7 acqua9t$
 7p4 #ff74  ,i may rem>k1 9 pass+1 t _m 
p ?9k ! size ( ,noah's ark mon/r\s1     
consid]+ ! probable /ate ( ! art (      
%ipbuild+ only #afjj ye>s aft] ! orig9 (
 man2 :ile o!rs are s unreasonable z to 
inquire :y ! translation ( ,eno* is less
 an extravagance ?an t ( ,xisu?ros4 ,x  
is m important1 h[ev]1 to note t !      
,univ]sality ( ! ,deluge is recognis$1 n
 m]ely z a "p ( ! /ory1 b z a necess>y  
consequ5ce ( "s ( its details4 ,! late/ 

expon5t ( ,anglican or?odoxy1 z we h    
se51 insi/s ^u ! accuracy ( !           
,p5tateu*al hi/ory ( ! ,flood 9 a /ill m
 =cible mann]4 ,x is cit$ z "o ( ^? v   
n>ratives to :i* ! au?ority ( ! ,f\nd] (
 ,*ri/ianity is pl$g$1 & ^u ! accuracy (
 :i* ! tru/wor?9ess ( our ,"l ,jesus    
,*ri/ is /ak$1 j z o!rs h /ak$ x ^u !   
tru? ( ! hi/ories ( demoniac possession 
9 ! ,gospels4  ,n[1 :5 ^? :o put _! tru/
 9 sci5tific me?ods ( asc]ta9+ ! tru? 9 
! prov9ce ( natural hi/ory f9d !mselves 
confront$ & oppos$1 on _! own gr\nd1 by 
ecclesia/ical pret5sions to bett] k1 x  
is1 und\bt$ly1 mo/ desirable = !m to    
make sure t _! conclusions1 :atev] !y   
may be1 are well f\nd$4 ,&1 if !y put   
aside ! unau?oris$ int]f]5ce ) _!       
bus9ess & relegate ! ,p5tateu*al hi/ory 
to ! region ( pure fiction1 !y are b\nd 
to assure !mselves t !y d s because !   
pla9e/ tea*+s ( ,nature 7ap>t f all     
d\btful speculations7 are irreconcilable
 ) ! ass]tions :i* !y reject4  ,at !    
pres5t "t1 x is difficult to p]suade    

s]i\s sci5tific inquir]s to occupy      
!mselves1 9 any way1 ) ! ,noa*ian       
,deluge4 ,!y look at y ) a smile & a    
%rug1 & say !y h m important matt]s to  
att5d to ?an m]e antiqu>ianism4 ,b x 0 n
 s 9 my y\?4 ,at t "t1 geologi/s &      
biologi/s c\ld h>dly foll[ to ! end any 
pa? ( inquiry )\t f9d+ ! way block$ by  
,noah & 8 ark1 or by ! fir/ *apt] (     
,g5esis2 & x 0 a s]i\s matt]1 9 ?is     
c\ntry at any rate1 = a man to be       
suspect$ ( d\bt+ ! lit]al tru? ( !      
,diluvial or any o!r ,p5tateu*al hi/ory4
 ,! fiftie? anniv]s>y ( ! f\ndation ( ! 
,geological ,club 79 #ahbd7 01 if ,i    
rememb] rightly1 ! la/ occasion on :i* !
 late ,sir ,*>les ,lyell spoke to ev5 s 
small a public z ! memb]s ( t body4 ,our
 vet]an lead] light$ up once m2 &1      
ref]r+ to ! difficulties :i* beset 8    
e>ly ef=ts to create a rational sci5ce (
 geology1 spoke1 ) 8 wont$ cle>ness &   
vig\r1 ( ! social o/racism :i* pursu$   
him aft] ! publication ( ! ,pr9ciples ( 
,geology1 9 #ahcj1 on acc\nt ( ! obvi\s 

t5d5cy ( t noble "w to discr$it !       
,p5tateu*al acc\nts ( ! ,creation & !   
,deluge4 ,if my y\ng] contempor>ies f9d 
?is h>d to believe1 ,i may ref] !m to a 
grave book1 ,on ! ,doctr9e ( ! ,deluge1 
publi%$ eight ye>s lat]1 & d$icat$ by   
its au?or to 8 fa!r1 ! !n ,ar*bi%op (   
,york4 ,! fir/ *apt] ref]s to ! treatm5t
 ( ! ,mosaic ,deluge1 by ,dr4 ,buckl& & 
,mr4 ,lyell1 9 ! foll[+ t]ms3     ,_!   
respect = reveal$ religion has prev5t$  
!m f    array+ !mselves op5ly aga9/ !   
,scriptural acc\nt ( x    --mu* less d  
!y d5y its tru?--b !y are 9 a great     
hurry to escape f ! consid]ation ( x1 & 
evid5tly    concur 9 ! op9ion (         
,l9naeus1 t no pro(s :atev] (    !      
,deluge are to be discov]$ 9 ! /ructure 
( !    e>? 7p4 #a74  ,& aft] an attempt 
to reply to "s ( ,lyell's argum5ts1 :i* 
x w\ld be cruel to reproduce1 ! writ]   
cont9ues3--     ,:51 !re=e1 ^u su* sl5d]
 gr\nds1 x is    det]m9$1 9 answ] to ^? 
:o insi/ ^u its univ]sality1    t !     
,mosaic ,deluge mu/ be consid]$ a       

pret]natural ev5t1    f> beyond ! rea* (
 philosophical inquiry2 n only z to    !
 causes employ$ to produce x1 b z to !  
effects mo/    likely to result f x2 t  
det]m9ation we>s an aspect (            
scepticism1 :i*1 h[ev] mu* soev] x may  
be un9t5tional    9 ! m9d ( ! writ]1 yet
 _c b produce an evil    impression on  
^? :o are already pr$ispos$ to c>p &    
cavil at ! evid5ces ( ,revelation 7pp4  
#h-i74  ,! k9dly & c\rte\s writ] ( ^!   
curi\s passages is evid5tly unwill+ to  
make ! geologi/s ! victims ( g5]al      
opprobrium by press+ ! obvi\s           
consequ5ces ( _! tea*+ home4 ,"o is     
!re=e pa9$ to ?9k ( ! feel+s ) :i*1 if  
he liv$ s long z to become acqua9t$ ) ! 
,diction>y ( ! ,bible1 he mu/ h p]us$ ! 
article ,noah1 writt5 by a dignit>y ( ! 
,*ur* = t /&>d comp5dium & publi%$ 9    
#ahfc4 ,= ! doctr9e ( ! univ]sality ( ! 
,deluge is !re9 altoge!r giv5 up2 & ,i  
p]mit myself to hope t a long criticism 
( ! /ory f ! po9t ( view ( natural      
sci5ce1 ) :i*1 at ! reque/ ( ! le>n$    

!ologian :o wrote x1 ,i suppli$ him1    
may1 9 "s degree1 h contribut$ t[>ds ?is
 happy result4  ,not)/&+ dilig5t se>*1  
,i h be5 unable to discov] t !          
univ]sality ( ! ,deluge has any def5d]  
left1 at lea/ among ^? :o h s f> ma/]$ !
 rudim5ts ( natural k z to be able to   
appreciate ! weight ( evid5ce aga9/ x4  
,= example1 :5 ,i turn$ to ! ,speak]'s  
,bible1 publi%$ "u ! sanction ( high    
,anglican au?ority1 ,i f\nd ! foll[+    
judicial & judici\s deliv]ance1 !       
skilful word+ ( :i* may adorn1 b does n 
hide1 ! complet5ess ( ! surr5d] ( ! old 
tea*+3--  ,)\t pron\nc+ too ha/ily on   
any fair inf]5ces f ! words (           
,scripture1 we may reasonably say t _!  
mo/ natural int]pretation is1 t ! :ole  
race ( man _h become griev\sly corrupt$ 
s9ce ! fai?ful _h int]m+l$ ) ! ungodly2 
t ! inhabit$ _w 0 consequ5tly fill$ )   
viol5ce1 & t ,god _h decre$ to de/roy   
all mank9d except "o s+le family2 t1    
!re=e1 all t portion ( ! e>?1 p]haps z  
yet a v small portion1 into :i* mank9d  

_h spread 0 ov]:elm$ ) wat]4 ,! ark 0   
orda9$ to save "o fai?ful family2 & le/ 
t family1 on ! subsid5ce ( ! wat]s1 %\ld
 f9d ! :ole c\ntry r\nd !m a des]t1 a   
pair ( all ! bea/s ( ! l& & ( ! f[ls ( !
 air 7 pres]v$ along ) !m1 & along ) !m 
w5t =? to repl5i% ! n[ desolat$ cont95t4
 ,! words ( ,scripture 7confirm$ z !y   
are by univ]sal tradition7 appe> at lea/
 to mean z mu* z ?is4 ,!y d n necess>ily
 mean m4 #g  ,9 ! ?ird edition (        
,kitto's ,cyclopa$ia ( ,biblical        
,lit]ature 7#ahgf71 ! article ,deluge1  
writt5 by my fri5d1 ! pres5t di/+ui%$   
head ( ! ,geological ,survey ( ,great   
,brita91 ext+ui%es ! univ]sality doctr9e
 z ?or\ghly z might be expect$ f its    
au?or%ip2 &1 s9ce ! writ] ( ! article   
,noah ref]s 8 read]s to t entitl$       
,deluge1 x is to be suppos$1 not)/&+ 8  
g5]ally or?odox tone1 t he does n diss5t
 f its conclusions4 ,aga91 ! writ]s 9   
,h]zog's ,real-,encyclopadie 7,bd4 ,x4  
#ahhb7 & 9 ,riehm's ,h&wort]bu*         
7#ahhd7--;bo? works ) a cons]vative     

lean+--are on ! same side2 & ,die/el1 #h
 9 8 full discussion ( ! subject1       
remorselessly rejects ! univ]sality     
doctr9e4 ,ev5 t /aun* oppon5t (         
sci5tific rationalism--may ,i say       
rationality8--,zockl] #i fl9*es f a     
di/9ct def5ce ( ! !sis1 any opposition  
to :i*1 well )9 my recollection1 0 h[l$ 
d[n by ! or?odox z m]e infidelity4 ,all 
t1 9 8 sore /raits1 ,dr4 ,zockl] is able
 to d1 is to pron\nce a fa9t comm5dation
 ^u a p>ticul>ly absurd attempt at      
reconciliation1 :i* w\ld make out !     
,noa*ian ,deluge to be a cata/rophe :i* 
occurr$ at ! end ( ! ,glacial ,epo*4    
,?is hypo!sis involves only ! trifle ( a
 physical revolution ( :i* geology kn[s 
no?+2 & :i*1 if x secur$ ! accuracy ( ! 
,p5tateu*al writ] ab\t ! fact ( !       
,deluge1 w\ld leave ! details ( 8 acc\nt
 z irreconcilable ) ! tru?s ( elem5t>y  
physical sci5ce z ev]4 ,?us ,i may be   
p]mitt$ to sp>e myself & my read]s !    
we>9ess ( a recapitulation ( ! ov]:elm+ 
argum5ts aga9/ ! univ]sality ( !        

,deluge1 :i* !y w n[ f9d = !mselves     
/at$1 z fully & =cibly z c\ld be wi%$1  
by ,anglican & o!r !ologians1 ^:        
or?odoxy & cons]vative t5d5cies h1      
hi!rto1 be5 above suspicion4 ,yet _m    
fully admit 7&1 inde$1 no?+ c be pla9]7 
t1 z a matt] ( fact1 ! :ole e>? kn[n to 
him 0 inundat$2 nor is x less obvi\s t  
unless all mank9d1 ) ! exception ( ,noah
 & 8 family1 7 actually de/roy$1 !      
ref]5ces to ! ,flood 9 ! ,new ,te/am5t  
are un9telligible4  ,b ,i am q aw>e t ! 
/r5g? ( ! demon/ration t no univ]sal    
,deluge ev] took place has produc$ a    
*ange ( front 9 ! army ( apologetic     
writ]s4 ,!y h imag9$ t ! sub/itution ( !
 adjective p>tial = univ]sal1 w save !  
cr$it ( ! ,p5tateu*1 & p]mit !m1 aft]   
all1 )\t too _m blu%es1 to decl>e t !   
progress ( mod]n sci5ce only /r5g!ns !  
au?ority ( ,moses4 ,n[h]e h ,i f\nd !   
case ( ! advocates ( ?is me?od ( escap+ 
f ! difficulties ( ! actual position    
bett] put ?an 9 ! lecture ( ,pr(essor   
,die/el to :i* ,i h ref]r$4 ,aft]       

frankly admitt+ t ! old doctr9e (       
univ]sality involves physical           
impossibilities1 he cont9ues3--     ,all
 ^! difficulties fall away z soon z we  
give up !    univ]sality ( ! ,deluge1 & 
imag9e a p>tial    flood+ ( ! e>?1 say 9
 we/]n ,asia4 ,b h we a "r    to d s8 ,!
 n>rative speaks ( ! :ole e>?4 ,b :at is
    ! mean+ ( ?is expression8 ,surely n 
! :ole surface (    ! e>? accord+ to !  
ideas ( mod]n geograph]s1    b1 at mo/1 
accord+ to ! conceptions ( ! ,biblical  
au?or4 ,?is v simple conclusion1 h[ev]1 
is nev] drawn by    too _m read]s ( !   
,bible4 ,b "o ne$ only ca/ "o's eyes    
ov] ! t5? *apt] ( ,g5esis 9 ord] to     
become acqua9t$    ) ! geographical     
horizon ( ! ,jews4 ,9 ! nor? x 0        
b\nd$ by ! ,black ,sea & ! m\nta9s (    
,arm5ia2    ext5d$ t[>ds ! ea/ v little 
beyond ! ,tigris2    h>dly rea*$ ! apex 
( ! ,p]sian ,gulf2 pass$1 !n1    ?r\gh !
 middle ( ,arabia & ! ,r$ ,sea2 w5t     
s\?w>d    ?r\gh ,abyss9ia1 & !n turn$   
we/w>d by ! fronti]s (    ,egypt1 &     

inclos$ ! ea/]nmo/ isl&s ( !            
,m$it]ranean 7p4 #aa74  ,! ju/ice ( ?is 
obs]vation mu/ be admitt$1 no less ?an !
 fur!r rem>k t1 9 /ill e>li] times1 !   
pa/oral ,hebrews v probably _h yet m    
re/rict$ notions ( :at con/itut$ ! :ole 
e>?4 ,moreov]1 ,i1 = "o1 fully agree )  
,pr(essor ,die/el t ! motive1 or        
g5]ative incid5t1 ( ! :ole /ory is to be
 s\ght 9 ! occasionally excessive &     
desolat+ floods ( ! ,euphrates & !      
,tigris4  ,let u1 provisionally1 accept 
! !ory ( a p>tial deluge1 & try to =m a 
cle> m5tal picture ( ! occurr5ce4 ,let u
 suppose t1 = =ty days & =ty nights1 su*
 a va/ quantity ( wat] 0 p\r$ ^u ! gr\nd
 t ! :ole surface ( ,mesopotamia 0 cov]$
 by wat] to a dep? c]ta9ly great]1      
probably mu* great]1 ?an fifte5 cubits1 
or tw5ty feet 7,g54 vii4 #bj74 ,!       
inundation prevails ^u ! e>? = "o hundr$
 & fifty days & !n ! flood gradually    
decreases1 until1 on ! sev5te5? day ( ! 
sev5? mon?1 ! ark1 :i* _h previ\sly     
float$ on its surface1 gr\nds ^u !      

m\nta9s ( ,ar>at #aj 7,g54 viii4 #cd74  
,!n1 z ,die/el has acutely po9t$ out    
7,s9tflut1 p4 #ac71 we are to imag9e !  
fur!r subsid5ce ( ! flood to take place 
s gradually t x 0 n until ne>ly two     
mon?s & a half aft] ?is "t 7t is to say1
 on ! fir/ day ( ! t5? mon?7 t ! tops ( 
! m\nta9s became visible4 ,h5ce x foll[s
 t1 if ! ark drew ev5 z mu* z tw5ty feet
 ( wat]1 ! level ( ! inundation fell v  
sl[ly--at a rate ( only a few in*es a   
day--until ! top ( ! m\nta9 on :i* x    
re/$ became visible4 ,?is is an am\nt ( 
movem5t :i*1 if x took place 9 ! sea1   
w\ld be ov]look$ by ord9>y p on ! %ore4 
,b ! ,mesopotamian pla9 slopes g5tly1 f 
an elevation ( #ejj or #fjj feet at its 
nor!rn end1 to ! sea1 at its s\!rn end1 
) h>dly s mu* z a notable ridge to break
 its uni=m flatness1 = #cjj to #djj     
miles4 ,^! be+ ! conditions ( ! case1 ! 
foll[+ inquiry naturally pres5ts itself3
 n1 be x obs]v$1 z a recondite problem1 
g5]at$ by mod]n speculation1 b z a pla9 
sugge/ion fl[+ out ( t v ord9>y & ar*aic

 piece ( k t wat] _c be pil$ up l 9 a   
heap1 l s&2 or t x seeks ! l[e/ level4  
,:51 aft] #aej days1 ! f\nta9s also ( ! 
deep & ! w9d[s ( heav5 7 /opp$1 & ! ra9 
f heav5 0 re/ra9$ 7,g54 viii4#b71 :at   
prev5t$ ! mass ( wat]1 sev]al1 possibly 
v _m1 fa?oms deep1 :i* cov]$1 say1 !    
pres5t site ( ,bagdad1 f sweep+ seaw>d 9
 a furi\s torr5t2 &1 9 a v few h\rs1    
leav+1 n only ! tops ( ! m\nta9s1 b !   
:ole pla91 save any m9or depressions1   
b>e8 ,h[ c\ld its subsi/5ce1 by any     
possibility1 be an affair ( weeks &     
mon?s8  ,& if ?is difficulty is n en\gh1
 let any "o try to imag9e h[ a mass (   
wat] sev]al p]haps v _m1 fa?oms deep1   
c\ld be accumulat$ on a flat surface (  
l& ris+ well above ! sea1 & sep>at$ f x 
by no sort ( b>ri]4 ,mo/ p "k ,"l's     
,cricket-gr\nd4 ,w\ld x n be an absurd  
contradiction to our common k ( !       
prop]ties ( wat] to imag9e t1 if all !  
ma9s ( all ! wat]works ( ,london 7 turn$
 on to x1 !y c\ld ma9ta9 a heap ( wat]  
tw5ty feet deep ov] its level surface8  

,is x n obvi\s t ! wat]1 :atev] mom5t>y 
accumulation might take place at fir/1  
w\ld n /op !re1 b t x w\ld da%1 l a     
mighty mill-race1 s\?w>ds d[n ! g5tle   
slope :i* ends 9 ! ,?ames8 ,& is x n    
fur!r obvi\s1 t :atev] dep? ( wat] might
 be ma9ta9$ ov] ! cricket-gr\nd s long z
 all ! ma9s p\r$ on to x1 any?+ :i*     
float$ !re w\ld be spe$ily :irl$ away by
 ! curr5t1 l a cork 9 a gutt] :5 ! ra9  
p\rs8 ,b if ?is is s1 !n x is no less   
c]ta9 t ,noah's deeply lad51 sailless1  
o>less1 & rudd]less craft1 if by good   
=tune x escap$ capsiz+ 9 :irlpools1 or  
hav+ its bottom knock$ into holes by    
snags 7l ^? :i* prove fatal ev5 to      
well-built /eam]s on ! ,mississippi 9   
our day71 w\ld h spe$ily f\nd itself a  
good way d[n ! ,p]sian ,gulf1 & n long  
aft] 9 ! ,indian ,ocean1 some:]e betwe5 
,arabia & ,h9do/an4 ,ev5 if1 ev5tually1 
! ark might h gone a%ore1 ) o!r jetsam &
 flotsam1 on ! coa/s ( ,arabia1 or (    
,h9do/an1 or ( ! ,maldives1 or (        
,madagasc>1 its return to ! m\nta9s (   

,ar>at w\ld h be5 a miracle m /up5d\s   
?an all ! re/4  ,?us1 ! la/ /ate ( !    
w\ld-be reconcil]s ( ! /ory ( ! ,deluge 
) fact is worse ?an ! fir/4 ,all t !y h 
done is to transf] ! contradictions to  
e/abli%$ tru? f ! region ( sci5ce prop] 
to t ( common in=mation & common s5se4  
,=1 really1 ! ass]tion t ! surface ( a  
body ( deep wat]1 to :i* no addition 0  
made1 & :i* !re 0 no?+ to /op f runn+   
into ! sea1 sank at ! rate ( only a few 
in*es or ev5 feet a day1 simply outrages
 ! mo/ ord9>y & famili> tea*+s ( e man's
 daily exp]i5ce4 ,a *ild may see ! folly
 ( x4  ,9 addition1 ,i may rem>k t !    
necess>y assumption ( ! p>tial ,deluge  
hypo!sis 7if x is conf9$ to             
,mesopotamia7 t ! ,hebrew writ] mu/ h   
meant l[ hills :5 he said high m\nta9s1 
is q unt5able4 ,on ! ea/]n side ( !     
,mesopotamian pla91 ! sn[y peaks ( !    
fronti] ranges ( ,p]sia are visible f   
,bagdad1 #aa & ev5 ! mo/ ignorant h]dsm5
 9 ! neighb\rhood ( ,ur ( ! ,*aldees1   
ne> its we/]n limit1 c\ld h>dly h be5   

unacqua9t$ ) ! comp>atively elevat$     
plateau ( ! ,syrian des]t :i* lay close 
at h&4 ,b1 surely1 we mu/ suppose !     
,biblical writ] to be acqua9t$ ) !      
highl&s ( ,pale/9e & ) ! masses ( !     
,s9aitic p59sula1 :i* so> m ?an #hjjj   
feet above ! sea1 if he knew ( no high] 
elevations2 &1 if s1 he c\ld n well h   
meant to ref] to m]e hillocks :5 he said
 t all ! high m\nta9s :i* 7 "u ! :ole   
heav5 7 cov]$ 7,g5esis vii4 #ai74 ,ev5 !
 hill-c\ntry ( ,galilee rea*es an       
elevation ( #djjj feet2 & a flood :i*   
cov]$ x c\ld by no possibility h be5 o!r
 ?an univ]sal 9 its sup]ficial ext5t4   
,wat] really _c be got to /& at1 say1   
#djjj feet above ! sea-level ov]        
,pale/9e1 )\t cov]+ ! re/ ( ! globe to !
 same height4 ,ev5 if1 9 ! c\rse (      
,noah's six hundr$? ye>1 "s prodigi\s   
convulsion _h sunk ! :ole region inclos$
 )9 ! horizon ( ! geographical k ( !    
,israelites by t mu*1 & ano!r _h pu%$ x 
up aga91 j 9 "t to cat* ! ark ^u !      
m\nta9s ( ,ar>at1 matt]s are n mu* m5d$4

 ,i am afraid to ?9k ( :at w\ld h become
 ( a vessel s little seawor?y z ! ark & 
( its v num]\s pass5g]s1 "u ! peculi>   
ob/acles to quiet flotation :i* su*     
rapid movem5ts ( depression & upheaval  
w\ld h g5]at$4  ,?us1 9 view1 n1 ,i     
repeat ( ! recondite speculations (     
infidel philosoph]s1 b 9 ! face ( !     
pla9e/ & mo/ commonplace ( asc]ta9$     
physical facts1 ! /ory ( ! ,noa*ian     
,deluge has no m claim to cr$it ?an has 
t ( ,deucalion2 & :e!r x 01 or 0 n1     
sugge/$ by ! famili> acqua9tance ( its  
orig9ators ) ! effects ( unusually great
 ov]fl[s ( ! ,tigris & ,euphrates1 x is 
utt]ly devoid ( hi/orical tru?4  ,t is1 
9 my judgm5t1 ! necess>y result ( !     
application ( criticism1 bas$ ^u assur$ 
physical k to ! /ory ( ! ,deluge4 ,& x  
is satisfactory t ! criticism :i* is    
bas$1 n ^u lit]>y & hi/orical           
speculations1 b ^u well-asc]ta9$ facts 9
 ! dep>tm5ts ( lit]ature & hi/ory1 t5ds 
to exactly ! same conclusion4  ,= ,i f9d
 ?is mu* agre$ ^u by all ,biblical      

s*ol>s ( repute1 t ! /ory ( ! ,deluge 9 
,g5esis is sep>able into at lea/ two    
sets ( /atem5ts2 & t1 :5 ! /atem5ts ?us 
sep>at$ are recomb9$ 9 _! prop] ord]1   
ea* set furni%es an acc\nt ( ! ev5t1    
coh]5t & complete )9 itself1 b 9 "s     
respects discordant ) t af=d$ by ! o!r  
set4 ,?is fact1 z ,i und]/&1 is n       
disput$4 ,:e!r "o ( ^! is ! "w ( an     
,elohi/1 & ! o!r ( a ,jehovi/ n>rator2  
:e!r ! two h be5 piec$ toge!r 9 ?is     
/range fa%ion because1 9 ! e/imation ( !
 compil]s & editors ( ! ,p5tateu*1 !y _h
 equal & indep5d5t au?ority1 or n2 or   
:e!r !re is "s o!r way ( acc\nt+ =      
x--are que/ions ! answ]s to :i* d n     
affect ! fact4 ,if possible ,i avoid a  
priori argum5ts4 ,b /ill1 ,i ?9k x may  
be urg$1 )\t imprud5ce1 t a n>rative    
hav+ ?is /ructure is h>dly su* z might  
be expect$ f a writ] possess$ ( full &  
infallibly accurate k4 ,once m1 x w\ld  
seem t x is n necess>ily ! m]e          
incl9ation ( ! sceptical _s to "q       
ev]y?+1 or ! wilful bl9dness ( infidels1

 :i* prompts grave d\bts z to ! value ( 
a n>rative ?us curi\sly unlike ! ord9>y 
run ( v]aci\s hi/ories4  ,b ! voice (   
ar*aeological & hi/orical criticism /ill
 has to be he>d2 & x gives =? no unc]ta9
 s\nd4 ,! m>vell\s recov]y ( ! records (
 an antiquity1 f> sup]ior to any t c be 
ascrib$ to ! ,p5tateu*1 :i* has be5     
effect$ by ! deciph]]s ( cunei=m        
*>act]s1 has put u 9 possession ( a     
s]ies1 once m1 n ( speculations1 b (    
facts1 :i* h a mo/ rem>kable be>+ ^u !  
"q ( ! tru?wor?9ess ( ! n>rative ( !    
,flood4 ,x is e/abli%$1 t = c5turies    
be=e ! ass]t$ migration ( ,t]ah f ,ur ( 
! ,*aldees 7:i*1 accord+ to ! or?odox   
int]pret]s ( ! ,p5tateu*1 took place    
aft] ! ye> #bjjj ,b4,c47 ,l[]           
,mesopotamia 0 ! seat ( a civilisation 9
 :i* art & sci5ce & lit]ature _h atta9$ 
a developm5t =m]ly unsuspect$ or1 if !re
 7 fa9t reports ( x1 treat$ z fabul\s4  
,& x is also no matt] ( speculation1 b a
 fact1 t ! libr>ies ( ^! p conta9       
v]sions ( a long epic poem1 "o ( !      

twelve books ( :i* tells a /ory ( a     
deluge1 :i*1 9 a numb] ( its lead+      
features1 corresponds ) ! /ory attribut$
 to ,b]osus1 no less ?an ) ! /ory giv5 9
 ,g5esis1 ) curi\s exactness4 ,?us1 !   
correctness ( ,canon ,rawl9son's        
conclusion1 cit$ above1 t ! /ory (      
,b]osus 0 nei!r drawn f ! ,hebrew       
record1 nor is ! f\ndation ( x1 c h>dly 
be que/ion$4 ,x is highly probable1 if n
 c]ta91 t ,b]osus reli$ ^u "o ( !       
v]sions 7= !re seem to h be5 sev]al7 ( !
 old ,babylonian epos1 extant 9 8 "t2 &1
 if t is a reasonable conclusion1 :y is 
x unreasonable to believe t ! two       
/ories1 :i* ! ,hebrew compil] has put   
toge!r 9 su* an in>ti/ic fa%ion1 7      
ultimately d]iv$ f ! same s\rce8 ,i say 
ultimately1 because x does n at all     
foll[ t ! two v]sions1 possibly trimm$  
by ! ,jehovi/ic writ] on ! "o h&1 & by !
 ,elohi/ic on ! o!r1 to suit ,hebrew    
requirem5ts1 may n h be5 curr5t among ! 
,israelites = ages4 ,& !y may h acquir$ 
great au?ority be=e !y 7 comb9$ 9 !     

,p5tateu*4  ,look+ at ! conv]g5ce ( all 
^! l9es ( evid5ce to ! "o conclusion--t 
! /ory ( ! ,flood 9 ,g5esis is m]ely a  
,b[dl]is$ v]sion ( "o ( ! olde/ pieces (
 purely fictiti\s lit]ature extant2 t   
:e!r ?is is1 or is n1 its orig91 ! ev5ts
 ass]t$ 9 x to h tak5 place assur$ly    
nev] did take place2 fur!r1 t1 9 po9t ( 
fact1 ! /ory1 9 ! pla9 & logically      
necess>y s5se ( its words1 has long s9ce
 be5 giv5 up by or?odox & cons]vative   
comm5tators ( ! ,e/abli%$ ,*ur*--,i c b 
admire ! c\rage & cle> =esight ( !      
,anglican div9e :o tells u t we mu/ be  
prep>$ to *oose betwe5 ! tru/wor?9ess ( 
sci5tific me?od & ! tru/wor?9ess ( t :i*
 ! ,*ur* decl>es to be ,div9e au?ority4 
,=1 to my m9d1 ?is decl>ation ( w> to ! 
knife aga9/ secul> sci5ce1 ev5 9 its mo/
 elem5t>y =m2 ?is rejection1 )\t a      
mom5t's hesitation1 ( any & all evid5ce 
:i* conflicts ) !ological dogma--is !   
only position :i* is logically          
reconcilable ) ! axioms ( or?odoxy4 ,if 
! ,gospels truly report t :i* an        

inc>nation ( ! ,god ( ,tru? communicat$ 
to ! _w1 !n x surely is absurd to att5d 
to any o!r evid5ce t\*+ matt]s ab\t :i* 
he made any cle> /atem5t1 or ! tru? (   
:i* is di/9ctly impli$ by 8 words4 ,if !
 exact hi/orical tru? ( ! ,gospels is an
 axiom ( ,*ri/ianity1 x is z j & "r = a 
,*ri/ian to say1 ,let u close our e>s   
aga9/ sugge/ions ( sci5tific critics1 z 
x is = ! man ( sci5ce to refuse to wa/e 
8 "t ^u circle-squ>]s & flat-e>?        
fanatics4  ,x is commonly report$ t !   
manife/o by :i* ! ,canon ( ,/4 ,paul's  
proclaims t he nails ! col\rs ( !       
/raite/ ,biblical infallibility to ! ma/
 ( ! %ip ecclesia/ical1 0 put =? z a    
c\nt]bla/ to ,lux ,mundi2 & t ! passages
 :i* ,i h m p>ticul>ly quot$ are direct$
 aga9/ ! essay on ,! ,holy ,_s &        
,inspiration 9 t collection ( treatises 
by ,anglican div9es ( high /&+1 :o mu/  
assur$ly be acquitt$ ( consci\s infidel 
proclivities4 ,i fancy t rum\r mu/1 =   
once1 be "r1 = x is impossible to imag9e
 a m direct & diametrical contradiction 

?an t betwe5 ! passages f ! s]mon cit$  
above & ^? :i* foll[3--     ,:at is     
que/ion$ is t our ,"l's words =eclose   
c]ta9    critical positions z to ! "* ( 
,old ,te/am5t    lit]ature4 ,= example1 
does ,8 use ( ,jonah's resurrection z   
a type ( ,8 own1 dep5d 9 any real degree
 ^u :e!r    x is hi/orical fact or      
allegory8444 ,once m1 our ,"l uses    ! 
"t be=e ! ,flood1 to illu/rate !        
c>elessness ( m5    be=e ,8 own com+4444
 ,9 ref]r+ to ! ,flood ,he    c]ta9ly   
sugge/s t ,he is treat+ x z typical1 =  
,he    introduces circum/ances--eat+ &  
dr9k+1 m>ry+ &    giv+ 9 m>riage --:i* h
 no c\nt]p>t 9 ! orig9al    n>rative4   
7pp4 #ceh-i74  ,:ile insi/+ on ! fl[ (  
inspiration ?r\gh ! :ole ( ! ,old       
,te/am5t1 ! essayi/ does n admit its    
univ]sality4 ,"h1 also1 ! new apologetic
 dem&s a p>tial flood3     ,b does !    
inspiration ( ! record] gu>antee ! exact
    hi/orical tru? ( :at he records8 ,&1
 9 matt] ( fact1 c    ! record ) due    
reg>d to legitimate hi/orical criticism1

    be pron\nc$ true8 ,n[1 to ! latt] ( 
^! two que/ions    7& !y are q di/9ct   
que/ions7 we may reply t !re    is no?+ 
to prev5t our believ+1 z our fai?       
/rongly    disposes u to believe1 t !   
record f ,abraham d[nw>d    is1 9       
sub/ance1 9 ! /rict s5se hi/orical 7p4  
#cea74  ,x w\ld appe>1 !re=e1 t !re is  
no?+ to prev5t our believ+ t ! record1 f
 ,abraham upw>d1 consi/s ( /ories 9 !   
/rict s5se unhi/orical1 & t !           
pre-,abrahamic n>ratives are m]e moral &
 religi\s types & p>ables4  ,i confess  
,i soon lose my way :5 ,i try to foll[  
^? :o walk delicately among types &     
allegories4 ,a c]ta9 passion = cle>ness 
=ces me to ask1 bluntly1 :e!r ! writ]   
means to say t ,jesus did n believe !   
/ories 9 "q1 or t he did8 ,:5 ,jesus    
spoke1 z ( a matt] ( fact1 t ! ,flood   
came & de/roy$ !m all1 did he believe t 
! ,deluge really took place1 or n8 ,x   
seems to me t1 z ! n>rative m5tions     
,noah's wife1 & 8 sons' wives1 !re is   
good scriptural w>ranty = ! /atem5t t ! 

ant$iluvians m>ri$ & 7 giv5 9 m>riage2 &
 ,i %\ld h ?\ght t _! eat+ & dr9k+ might
 be assum$ by ! firme/ believ] 9 !      
lit]al tru? ( ! /ory4 ,moreov]1 ,i      
v5ture to ask :at sort ( value1 z an    
illu/ration ( ,god's me?ods ( deal+ )   
s91 has an acc\nt ( an ev5t t nev]      
happ5$8 ,if no ,flood swept ! c>eless p 
away1 h[ is ! w>n+ ( m wor? ?an ! cry ( 
,wolf :5 !re is no wolf8 ,if ,jonah's   
?ree days' resid5ce 9 ! :ale is n an    
admitt$ reality1 h[ c\ld x w>rant belief
 9 ! com+ resurrection8 ,if ,lot's wife 
0 n turn$ into a pill> ( salt1 ! bidd+  
^? :o turn back f ! n>r[ pa? to rememb] 
x is1 morally1 ab\t on a level ) tell+ a
 naughty *ild t a bogy is com+ to fet* x
 away4 ,suppose t a ,cons]vative orator 
w>ns 8 he>]s to bew>e ( great political 
& social *anges1 le/ !y end1 z 9        
,france1 9 ! dom9ation ( a ,robespi]re2 
:at becomes1 n only ( 8 argum5t1 b ( 8  
v]acity1 if he1 p]sonally1 does n       
believe t ,robespi]re exi/$ & did ! de$s
 attribut$ to him8  ,l all o!r attempts 

to reconcile ! results (                
sci5tifically-conduct$ inve/igation ) ! 
dem&s ( ! outworn cre$s (               
ecclesia/icism1 ! essay on ,inspiration 
is j su* a failure z mu/ await m$iation1
 :5 ! m$iator is unable prop]ly to      
appreciate ! weight ( ! evid5ce = ! case
 ( "o ( ! two p>ties4 ,! "q (           
,inspiration really possesses no int]e/ 
= ^? :o h ca/ ecclesia/icism & all its  
works aside1 & h no fai? 9 any s\rce (  
tru? save t :i* is rea*$ by ! pati5t    
application ( sci5tific me?ods4 ,!ories 
( inspiration are speculations z to !   
means by :i* ! au?ors ( /atem5ts1 9 !   
,bible or else:]e1 h be5 l$ to say :at  
!y h said--& x assumes t natural ag5cies
 are insuffici5t = ! purpose4 ,i pref]  
to /op %ort ( ?is problem1 f9d+ x m     
pr(itable to und]take ! inquiry :i*     
naturally prec$es x--namely1 ,are ^!    
/atem5ts true or false8 ,if !y are true1
 x may be wor? :ile to g into ! "q ( _! 
sup]natural g5]ation2 if !y are false1 x
 c]ta9ly is n wor? m9e4  ,n[1 n only d  

,i hold x to be prov5 t ! /ory ( !      
,deluge is a pure fiction2 b ,i h no    
hesitation 9 affirm+ ! same ?+ ( ! /ory 
( ! ,creation4 #ab ,betwe5 ^! two lies !
 /ory ( ! creation ( man & woman & _!   
fall f primitive innoc5ce1 :i* is ev5 m 
mon/r\sly improbable ?an ei!r ( ! o!r   
two1 ?\gh1 f ! nature ( ! case1 x is n s
 easily capable ( direct refutation4 ,x 
c be demon/rat$ t ! e>? took long] ?an  
six days 9 ! mak+1 & t ! ,deluge1 z     
describ$1 is a physical impossibility2 b
 !re is no prov+1 especially to ^? :o   
are p]fect 9 ! art ( clos+ _! e>s to t  
:i* !y d n wi% to he>1 t a snake did n  
speak1 or t ,eve 0 n made out ( "o (    
,adam's ribs4  ,! compil] ( ,g5esis1 9  
its pres5t =m1 evid5tly _h a def9ite    
plan 9 8 m9d4 ,8 c\ntrym51 l all o!r m51
 7 d\btless curi\s to "k h[ ! _w began2 
h[ m51 & especially wick$ m51 came into 
be+1 & h[ exi/+ nations & races arose   
among ! desc5dants ( "o /ock2 &1 f9ally1
 :at 0 ! hi/ory ( _! own p>ticul> tribe4
 ,!y1 l ourselves1 desir$ to solve ! f\r

 great problems ( cosmog5y1 an?ropog5y1 
e?nog5y1 & g5eog5y4 ,! ,p5tateu*        
furni%es ! solutions :i* appe>$         
satisfactory to its au?or4 ,"o ( ^!1 z  
we h se51 0 borr[$ f a ,babylonian      
fable2 & ,i "k ( no reason to suspect   
any diff]5t orig9 = ! re/4 ,n[1 ,i w\ld 
ask1 is ! /ory ( ! fabrication ( ,eve to
 be reg>d$ z "o ( ^? pre-,abrahamic     
n>ratives1 ! hi/orical tru? ( :i* is an 
op5 "q1 9 face ( ! ref]5ce to x 9 a     
spee* unhappily fam\s = ! legal         
oppression to :i* x has be5 wrongfully  
=c$ to l5d itself8     ,h ye n read1 t  
he :i* made !m f ! beg9n+    made !m    
male & female1 & said1 ,= ?is cause %all
 a man    leave 8 fa!r & "m1 & cleave to
 8 wife2 & !    twa9 %all become "o     
fle%8 7,matt4 xix4 #e47  ,if div9e      
au?ority is n "h claim$ = ! tw5ty-f\r?  
v]se ( ! second *apt] ( ,g5esis1 :at is 
! value ( language8 ,& aga91 ,i ask1 if 
"o may play fa/ & loose ) ! /ory ( !    
,fall z a type or allegory1 :at becomes 
( ! f\ndation ( ,paul9e !ology8--     ,=

 s9ce by man came dea?1 by man came also
 !    resurrection ( ! dead4 ,= z 9     
,adam all die1 s also 9    ,*ri/ %all   
all be made alive 7#a ,cor9?ians xv4    
#ba1 #bb74  ,if ,adam may be held to be 
no m real a p]sonage ?an ,prome!us1 & if
 ! /ory ( ! ,fall is m]ely an in/ructive
 type1 comp>able to ! pr(\nd ,prome!an  
my?us1 :at value has ,paul's dialectic8 
,:ile1 !re=e1 e "r-m9d$ man mu/         
sympa?ise ) ! ef=ts ( ^? !ologians1 :o h
 n be5 able altoge!r to close _! e>s to 
! /ill1 small1 voice ( reason1 to escape
 f ! fett]s :i* ecclesia/icism has =g$2 
! melan*oly fact rema9s1 t ! position !y
 h tak5 up is hopelessly unt5able4 ,x is
 rak$ alike by ! old-fa%ion$ artill]y ( 
! *ur*es & by ! fatal weapons (         
precision ) :i* ! enfants p]dus ( !     
advanc+ =ces ( sci5ce are arm$4 ,!y mu/ 
surr5d]1 or fall back into a m %elt]$   
position4 ,& x is possible t !y may long
 f9d safety 9 su* retreat4  ,x is1      
inde$1 probable t ! proportional numb] (
 ^? :o w di/9ctly pr(ess _! belief 9 !  

transub/antiation ( ,lot's wife1 & !    
anticipatory exp]i5ce ( subm>9e         
navigation by ,jonah2 9 wat] /&+ fa?oms 
deep on ! side ( a declivity )\t any?+  
to hold x up2 & 9 devils :o ent] sw9e--w
 n increase4 ,b nei!r is !re gr\nd = mu*
 hope t ! proportion ( ^? :o ca/ aside  
^! fictions & adopt ! consequ5ce ( t    
repudiation1 are1 = "s g5]ations1 likely
 to con/itute a majority4 ,our age is a 
day ( compromises4 ,! pres5t & ! ne>    
future seem giv5 ov] to ^? happily1 if  
curi\sly1 con/itut$ p :o see z little   
difficulty 9 ?r[+ aside any am\nt (     
po/-,abrahamic ,scriptural n>rative1 z !
 au?ors ( ,lux ,mundi see 9 sacrific+ ! 
pre-,abrahamic /ories2 &1 hav+ di/ill$  
away e inconv5i5t matt] ( fact 9        
,*ri/ian hi/ory1 cont9ue to pay div9e   
hon\rs to ! residue4 ,!re really seems  
to be no reason :y ! next g5]ation %\ld 
n li/5 to a ,bampton ,lecture modell$ ^u
 t address$ to ! la/3--     ,"t 0--& t n
 v long ago--:5 all ! relations (       
,biblical au?ors conc]n+ ! :ole _w 7    

receiv$ ) a    ready belief2 & an       
unreason+ & uncritical fai? accept$    )
 equal satisfaction ! n>rative ( !      
,captivity & !    do+s ( ,moses at !    
c\rt ( ,ph>aoh1 ! acc\nt ( !            
,apo/olic meet+ 9 ! ,epi/le to !        
,galatians1 & t (    ! fabrication (    
,eve4 ,we c mo/ ( u rememb] :51 9 ?is   
c\ntry1 ! :ole /ory ( ! ,exodus1 & ev5 !
 leg5d (    ,jonah1 7 s]i\sly plac$ be=e
 boys z hi/ory2 &    disc\rs$ ( 9 z     
dogmatic a tone z ! tale ( ,ag9c\rt or  
! hi/ory ( ! ,norman ,conque/4     ,b   
all ?is is n[ *ang$4 ,! la/ c5tury has  
se5 !    gr[? ( sci5tific criticism to  
its full /r5g?4 ,! :ole    _w ( hi/ory  
has be5 revolutionis$ & ! my?ology :i*  
emb>rass$ e>ne/ ,*ri/ians has vani%$ z  
an evil mi/1 !    lift+ ( :i* has only m
 fully reveal$ ! l9eam5ts (             
infallible ,tru?4 ,no long] 9 contact ) 
fact ( any k9d1    ,fai? /&s n[ & = ev] 
pr\dly inaccessible to !    attacks ( ! 
infidel4  ,s f> ! apologi/ ( ! future4  
,:y n8 ,cantabit vacuus4                

,,footnotes3  ,footnote #a3 ,bampton    
,lectures 7#ahei71 on ,! ,hi/orical     
,evid5ce ( ! ,tru? ( ! ,scripture       
,records /at$ anew1 ) ,special ,ref]5ce 
to ! ,d\bts & ,discov]ies ( ,mod]n      
,times1 by ! ,rev4 ,g4 ,rawl9son1       
,m4,a41 pp4 #e-f4  ,footnote #b3 ,!     
,wor? ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1 a ,s]mon prea*$
 9 ,/4 ,paul's ,ca!dral on ! second     
,sunday 9 ,adv5t1 #h? ,dec41 #ahhi1 by  
,h4 ,p4 ,liddon1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41     
,canon & ,*ancellor ( ,/4 ,paul's4      
,second edition revis$ & ) a new        
preface1 #ahij4  ,footnote #c3 ,/4 ,luke
 xvii4 #cb4  ,footnote #d3 ,/4 ,luke    
xvii4 #bg4  ,footnote #e3 ,/4 ,matt4    
xii4 #dj4  ,footnote #f3 ,bampton       
,lectures1 #ahei1 pp4 #ej-ea4  ,footnote
 #g3 ,comm5t>y on ,g5esis1 by ! ,bi%op (
 ,ely1 p4 #gg4  ,footnote #h3 ,die      
,s9tflut1 #ahgf4  ,footnote #i3 ,!ologie
 und ,naturwiss5s*aft1 ii4 #ghd-gia     
7#ahgg74  ,footnote #aj3 ,x is v d\btful
 if ?is means ! region ( ! ,arm5ian     
,ar>at4 ,m probably x designates "s "p  

ei!r ( ! ,kurdi% range or ( its         
s\?-ea/]n cont9uation4  ,footnote #aa3  
,s ,reclus 7,n\velle ,geographie        
,univ]selle1 ix4 #chf71 b ,i f9d !      
/atem5t d\bt$ by an au?ority ( ! fir/   
rank4  ,footnote #ab3 ,s f> z ,i "k1 !  
n>rative ( ! ,creation is n n[ held to  
be true1 9 ! s5se 9 :i* ,i h def9$      
hi/orical tru?1 by any ( ! reconcil]s4  
,z = ! attempts to /ret* ! ,p5tateu*al  
days into p]iods ( ?\s&s or millions (  
ye>s1 ! v]dict ( ! em95t ,biblical      
s*ol>1 ,dr4 ,riehm 7,d] biblis*e        
,s*opfungsb]i*t1 #ahha1 pp4 #ae1 #af7 on
 su* pranks ( ,auslegungskun/ %\ld be   
f9al4 ,:y d ! reconcil]s take ,goe!'s   
advice s]i\sly8--       ,im ,ausleg5    
seyd fris* und munt]6       ,legt ihr's 
ni*t aus1 s legt 0 unt]4