Excerpt from The Early Religion of Israel, Vol. 1: As Set Forth by Biblical Writers and by Modern Critical Historians TO what extent English readers have without pre judice formed their own Opinions on the matters in dispute it would be hard to say. There can be no doubt that not a few, while disclaiming all preten sions Of being able to appreciate the technical eriti cal arguments on which Wellhausen proceeds, profess themselves satisfied in their own minds that the scheme Of Israel's history which he presents is in the main correct. Others, not prepared to go SO far, have a general feeling that some reconstruction of the received views is needed; while others again, who have made some attempt to follow the arguments, are unable to come to any decision. It would not be fair to class all who accept the new theory among those clever superficial men and women who think that everything has been found out, when next to nothing has been found out at all, who dis believe in Authority, and do believe in 'autliori ties.' 1 Yet perhaps the main reason for the ready assent on the part Of some, and the hesitancy on that Of others, is the fact that these investigations have been pursued by skilled Hebraists and critics who are naturally supposed to have special means Of determining the delicate questions involved. The results are set forth with such an array Of learn ing and with so much confidence that the One class Of readers give deference to authorities whom they take to be competent, while the other class decline to as sent to a process Of reasoning which they themselves are incapable Of following. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.