THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

That's all I read on the blackboard as I strolled into the seminar hall a few minutes late. But there was plenty to read on the speakers' faces. "This debate is one of a kind," their expressions exclaimed. "We're arguing the Bible at Princeton."

We were a two-minute walk from the rooms where Warfield, Machen, and Hodge lectured and wrote about the Bible and revelation. From an open window, you could see the brick and white-trimmed Center for Theological Inquiry, a brainbank for the sorts of issues being debated this night

But judging by the expressions on the faces of the audience, most weren't impressed. Many were young--university and seminary students. While a few appeared as eager as the speakers, most (probably required to attend) looked bored and distracted, preoccupied with more important concerns. Revelation and the Bible? To them, hardly life-changing issues, even at Princeton. As one student commented after the debate, "Why can't we just get on with ...