The main point of invoking induction for Hodge is simply to endorse a method which gives Scripture theological priority, allowing it to address us rather we addressing it.

It matters whether or not the observer is a speculator, or a dogmatist, or a mystic, or some of each.We are all tempted to do this because of the importance of the issues at stake, to pervert or overlook the teaching of Scripture, to 'press the facts of the Scriptures into accordance with our preconceived theories', as he puts it. The arguments for historic theology of the Reformed theology are sound and give a fair presentation of contrary thought. And 'Christ could not have had a finite intelligence' and 'the Logos was clothed with a human body' are examples of inferences drawn from an incomplete induction of such facts. If by a miracle we could introduce him into contemporary discussions we may imagine him having a word or two to say about the subjectivizing and sceptical consequences of viewing Scripture through the lens of post modernity.

Scripture does not show us some facts that we then summarize under the rubric of sin, but it tells us itself what the essence of sin is. p.9) This is similar to induction in the natural sciences in assuming the trustworthiness of sense perceptions, of mental operations, and of truths not learned from experience but which are given in our human constitution.

More Hamburger icon An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. If, therefore, theology be a science, it must include something more than a mere knowledge of facts. With only the first of seven volumes published, I’m not able to give a proper assessment of this massive work.