The Grounds of Christian Belief (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from The Grounds of Christian Belief

IN this little volume I have sought to set forth the foundations and meaning of the Christian Faith in a way that will com mend itself to men and women of the present day. A little book on simple lines will serve a useful purpose if it meets some of the difficulties of those who, though keenly interested in the things that count, might turn away sorrowing from a ponderous work. I have stated my aim in the hope that the readers for whom it is designed may not confuse my efforts with those of others whose writings they might fear would prove too exacting.

It is generally recognized that a gulf exists between the knowledge of the real masters of contemporary Thought and that of readers of ordinary or even of unusual education, who, about the matters which in the last issue are alone worthy of sustained consideration, ask: Are these things so P If this little book can in any way help to bridge that gulf, it will meet an acknowledged need.

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.

Excerpt from The Grounds of Christian Belief

Exponents of the Christian Religion are given at the present time a unique opportunity of setting forth its truth. The deeper Thought of the times is indeed for those who will let it carry them along with it to its inevitable goal, but "our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ." The Christian Creed is not a final conclusion of speculation: it has its own independent proof, its definite historical basis, and its constant verification in experience. But though it exists, and demonstrates itself, in its own right, its claim is one that Reason perpetually justifies, that profound Thought leads up to and vindicates both for mind and heart. I have endeavoured to make clear both these elements in the Christian Faith - its grounds in history and in experience, the way in which all deeper Thought either prepares the way for its presentation or brings out its deep implications in Reason.

The Christian Faith, when rightly estimated in its truth and moral demand, commends itself alike to mind and conscience. Especially with regard to the Work and Person of Christ, the intellectual estimate, the element of doctrine, is to the absolute moral value or unconditional imperative thereof but the other side of the shield.

There has been recently a considerable revival of aggressive Materialism. The Rationalist Press Association has found funds and increased its output, and, though Materialism is certainly a "back-number" in the domain of Thought, its recent popular presentations may gain for it, among those whose critical faculty is only slightly developed, a measure of acceptance not warranted by its merits.

A critical examination of the basis and claims of this survival of an outworn type of theory - the weak and beggarly elements of nineteenth-century Rationalism struggling for life in a new age - will, it is hoped, help many who desire to see things as they, really are, and to approve the things that are true and are "more excellent."

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.