[Redbook4:137-138][19871019:0925i]{Angelic
Hierarchies [continued
(12): Note on Scholarship]}[19th
October 1987]
19871019.0925
[continued]
I
must say that the Encylopaedia Biblica, which was published in 1914
(and one of whose two Editors was formerly (an?) Assistant Editor of
the Encylopaedia Britannica), typifies all that is best and highest
in academic scholarship: possibly in its accuracy (which I am not in
a position to assess), but certainly in its manner and approach. The
other editor is a Rev.*, and the whole work quite clearly arises from
a profound respect and love for the Bible: but contrast this footnote
(p741): '1The
differences between the ζῷα
of
Revelation and those of Ezekiel, both as to their appearance and as
to their functions, are obvious. But without the latter how could
the former have been imagined? **The traditional Christian view that
the apocalyptic ζῷα
symbolize the four Gospels can hardly be seriously defended.'** –
Contrast this with the approach of Tony Tanner to Jane Austen, as
brilliantly disposed of by Norman Frumann in the latest T[imes]
L[iterary] S[upplement]*** (I have Tanner's [edition of Jane Austen's
']Sense and Sensibility['], but cannot recall his introduction at
all).
I
think part of the contrast may be between attempts to reach or
approach the objective truth, plain and simple, so far as possible,
for its own sake; and attempts to confirm received truths (such as
Marxism, or Freud****), which were themselves quite possibly genuine
attempts to approach the objective truth (but, like all our attempts,
doomed to varying degrees of imperfection) – these attempts at
confirmation inevitably distorting, rather than clarifying, our
perception of the truth in the subject under investigation, in
accordance with their purpose, which is not directed to the subject.#
*[i.e.
in holy Orders, a priest.]
**[The
sentence between these repeated asterisks is highlighted marginally.]
***[I
have not yet been able to trace this issue or the article referred
to.]
****or,
of course, theological doctrine <930505>
#And
is not the latter approach a manifestation of Pride? – in place of
the Humility required for good scholarship. <871123>
[continues]
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