Studies in the Christian Evidences

CONTENTS.

CHRISTIANITY AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE.

Present Unbelief not greater than that of last Century-Springs

from the 'Spirit of the Age'-And the Prevalence of Scientific
Methods-Assumes the form of Agnosticism or Materialistic
Atheism-Some Men Atheists and Materialists by Conviction-
Atheism sometimes springs from Moral Causes—Foremost
Scientific Men not generally Materialists—The mere Scientific
Specialist no Authority in Theology or Criticism-Rejection of
the Supernatural in the New Testament sometimes a Question
determined beforehand-Physical Science cannot reach Re-
ligious Truth-Its Instruments cannot discover it-Its Field is
different Borderlands Bible Narrative of Creation-
Genesis i. the Religious Charter of Science Order of
Creation a Question of Science-Genesis i. not yet proved
wrong-Development Hypothesis-Evolution only a Mode of
Working, and not a Cause-Slowness of Process makes no
essential Difference-Evolution not yet proved scientifically-
Christians should accept Real Discoveries of Science with
Gratitude-Christianity readily adjusts itself to Real Discoveries
-Our Attitude towards Science.

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II.

OF INTELLECTUAL DIFFICULTIES IN RELIGION.

There are Intellectual Difficulties in Religion—Such to be expected

-Belief depends on Evidence and not on Comprehension—

Difficulties arise from the Objects contemplated in Religion—

God-Who is Spirit—And Infinite-Man and the Mystery in

him-Difficulties also arise from the Finiteness of Man's Mind-

Treatment of such Difficulties-We must recognise the Limits

of Human Thought-New Testament not to be rejected be-

cause of Difficulties-The Mysterious not necessarily Uncertain

-We must receive the Doctrines on the Evidence-Other

Systems have their Greater Difficulties-The Moral Use of

such Difficulties,

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III.

OF REVELATION AND INSPIRATION, AND THE DIFFICULTIES

CONNECTED THEREWITH.

Man by Nature a Religious Being-Natural to Expect a Religion

to meet his Wants-Religious Instincts not met in mere Nature

-Light of Nature not enough to guide—A 'Book-Revelation'

not impossible-A Theory of Inspiration not necessary or

logically possible at this Stage-Not the First Doctrine to be

presented to the Anxious—Three Positions possible—Literal

Inspiration-Religious Inspiration-That the Writers were

Trustworthy Witnesses - Even this last is sufficient for

Reasonable Certainty and Salvation-Care to be taken in

presenting a Rigid Theory of Inspiration at the Outset-Im-

portance of remembering the Special Purpose for which the

Bible was given—Objection considered, that even Inspiration

has not given Certainty-Real Unity of the Church,

IV.

EARLY HISTORICAL TESTIMONY TO THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

Subject stated-Christianity a Revelation in the Past, and hence

room for Historical Evidence-New Testament generally

accepted on the United Testimony of the Divided Church—

Reasonableness of this-Authenticity of the New Testament a

Question outside of Physical Science—Ancient Manuscripts

cited as Witnesses-Church of the Second Half of the Second

Century, A.D. 150 to 200-Fathers and Versions-Church of

France, Irenæus Representative Witness-Church of Italy,

Muratorian Canon, Ancient Latin Version, Hippolytus-

Northern Africa, Tertullian-Egypt, Clement of Alexandria-

Syria, Peshito-Asia Minor-Evidence summed up-Continuity

of the Church-Fate of the Later Works of Aristotle-

Period from A.D. 100 to A.D. 150--Witnesses cited-The

General Decision of the Church remains, and not all the

Evidence-The Heretics and their Testimony-New Testament

could not have been forged in the Second Century-General

Conclusion,

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THE TESTIMONY OF THE UNQUESTIONED EPISTLES OF PAUL.

Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, and Revelation
accepted by Negative Critics-The First Four Epistles of Paul
--Testimony of Baur-Renan-Author of Supernatural_Re-
ligion These Four Epistles a sure Foundation-Character of
Paul, the Witness-Thoroughly tested-He had the best
Means of knowing the Facts-A Martyr for Facts and not
Opinions-His Testimony includes the Supernatural-Chief

Facts of our Lord's Life-Doctrine as to His Person-Chief

Doctrines of Christianity—Christian Ethics-The Church—

Evidence strengthened by the Churches with which Paul stood

in Close Relation-Supported by the Revelation of John-

Tübingen School giving up its Position-Practical Conclusion,

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VI.

SOME RECENT Reverses OF NEGATIVE CRITICISM.

Subject stated-Only about One-Fourth of the New Testament

accepted by Baur and immediate followers as genuine-

Recent Discoveries, etc., fall in with the Church's Belief in

regard to the New Testament—The Epistle of Barnabas—

The Refutation of all Heresies, by Hippolytus-Testimony of

the Clementine Homilies to John--Tatian's Diatessaron-

The Gospel of Marcion-General Survey of the Retreat of

Negative Criticism—Specially in regard to the Four Gospels—

Three-Fourths of the New Testament accepted as genuine-

The Battle of Criticism had to be fought-Victory in view,

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VII.

THE CHRISTIAN MIRACLES.

What is a Miracle?-Not a Violation of the Laws of Nature-
Importance of Miraculous Element in Christianity-Christianity
the only great Religion that ever came claiming to be
authenticated by Miracles-A Revelation to be expected-
Miracles the most Direct Proof of a Revelation-Object of
Christ's Miracles-Miracles not impossible-Physical Science
cannot prove them to be impossible-Intelligent Voluntary
Action has in it the essential elements of a Miracle-We
cannot explain the Mode-Miracles not Incredible-Hume's