The Higher and Lower Criticism

“There came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star.... [Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be born.” — Matthew ii. i, 2, and 4.

Here are two inquiries of very much the same nature, so far as words are concerned. The wise men and Herod both ask about the Child Jesus, and ask in nearly identical terms. What is the difference? It lies in the motive. The wise men inquire that they may bring their gold; Herod inquires that he may kill. There is a reverent, and there is an irreverent, spirit of inquiry. There is a criticism which comes from love, and a criticism which comes from lovelessness. There are two reasons why I may wish to study a difficulty; I may want to clear it away, or I may want to deepen it. The wise men were the one; Herod was the other. It is not the subject of inquiry that makes it either good or bad, it is the spirit in which it is done. Why do you pore over a blot on the manuscript? Is it because you want to take it out, or is it because you hope it will spoil the writing? There are things which “the angels desire to look into;” there may be students among the angels in all worlds. But if I desire to look into a thing that I may find it dark, if I wish to investigate on the chance that I may discover a flaw, I belong, not to the camp of the angels, but to the camp of Herod.

Lord, let me see Thy star before I inquire after Thy coming! I would meet Thee ere I ask about Thee. First Thyself, then Thy surroundings — that would be the order of my thoughts. Meet me at the tabernacle door! Meet me before I enter the temple of research! I would gaze on Thy beauty first of all; I would love Thee ere I learn of Thee. It is one thing to follow paths m search of Thee: it is another thing to follow paths after Thee. I would love Thyself before I scrutinise Thy portrait. Thou art better than Thy portrait, O Lord. Who could paint Thee adequately! Not even inspiration could paint Thee adequately. If I can see Thee first, I shall interpret Thy picture by Thee, and not Thee by Thy picture. O send out Thy light; then shall I go unto Thine altar. I would not begin with the dark places; I would start with the brightness of the morning. The manger cannot lead to Thy star, but Thy star can lead to the manger; reveal Thy star, O Lordl