Supernatural Religion (Discovering the Reality of Divine Revelation). Walter Richard Cassels

Чтение книги онлайн.

      Volume 1

       Table of Contents

Table of Contents

       PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

       PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

       INTRODUCTION.

       AN INQUIRY INTO THE REALITY OF DIVINE REVELATION.

       PART I.

       CHAPTER I. MIRACLES IN RELATION TO CHRISTIANITY

       CHAPTER II. MIRACLES IN RELATION TO THE ORDER OF NATURE

       CHAPTER III. REASON IN RELATION TO THE ORDER OF NATURE

       CHAPTER IV. THE AGE OF MIRACLES

       CHAPTER V. THE PERMANENT STREAM OF MIRACULOUS PRETENSION

       CHAPTER VI. MIRACLES IN RELATION TO IGNORANCE AND SUPERSTITION

       PART II. THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

       INTRODUCTION.

       CHAPTER I. CLEMENT OF ROME—THE EPISTLE OF BARNABAS—THE PASTOR OF HERMAS

       CHAPTER II. THE EPISTLES OF IGNATIUS—THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP

       CHAPTER III. JUSTIN MARTYR

       CHAPTER IV. HEGESIPPUS—PAPIAS OF HIERAPOLIS.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

       Table of Contents

      The present work is the result of many years of earnest and serious investigation, undertaken in the first instance for the regulation of personal belief, and now published as a contribution towards the establishment of Truth in the minds of others who are seeking for it. The author's main object has been conscientiously and fully to state the facts of the case, to make no assertions the grounds for which are not clearly given, and as far as possible to place before the reader the materials from which a judgment may be intelligently formed regarding the important subject discussed.

      The great Teacher is reported to have said: "Be ye approved money-changers," wisely discerning the gold of Truth, and no man need hesitate honestly to test its reality, and unflinchingly to reject base counterfeits. It is obvious that the most indispensable requisite in regard to Religion is that it should be true. No specious hopes or flattering promises can have the slightest value unless they be genuine and based upon substantial realities. Fear of the results of investigation, therefore, should deter no man, for the issue in any case is gain: emancipation from delusion, or increase of assurance. It is poor honour to sequester a creed from healthy handling, or to shrink from the serious examination of its doctrines. That which is true in Religion cannot be shaken; that which is false no one can desire to preserve.