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CARD.
The Messrs. Charles Scribner and Co., of New York, have made an arrangement with the Messrs. Thomas Nelson and Sons, of Edinburgh, Scotland, for the publication of this work in Great Britain. This has been done with the cordial approbation of the author, who feels under obligation to the Messrs. Nelson for the liberal terms on which they have undertaken the publication. The author also desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to his accomplished young friend, Mr. Caspar René Gregory, licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, for his assistance in carrying the work through the press.
PRINCETON, June 2, 1871.
ivvCONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
| INTRODUCTION. | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHAPTER I. | ||
| ON METHOD. | ||
| page | ||
| § 1. | Theology a Science | 1 |
| § 2. | Theological Method | 3 |
| § 3. | The Speculative Method | 4 |
| § 4. | The Mystical Method | 6 |
| § 5. | The Inductive Method | 9 |
| Theologian to be governed by same Rules as a Man of Science | 11 | |
| § 6. | The Scriptures contain all the Facts of Theology | 15 |
| CHAPTER II. | ||
| THEOLOGY. | ||
| § 1. | Its Nature | 18 |
| Definitions of Theology | 19 | |
| Natural Theology | 21 | |
| § 2. | Facts of Nature reveal God | 22 |
| Scriptural Argument for Natural Theology | 24 | |
| § 3. | Insufficiency of Natural Theology | 25 |
| § 4. | Christian Theology | 32 |
| Theology Proper, Anthropology, Soteriology, Eschatology, Ecclesiology | 32 | |
| CHAPTER III. | ||
| RATIONALISM. | ||
| § 1. | Meaning and Usage of the word | 34 |
| § 2. | Deistical Rationalism | 35 |
| § 3. | Second Form of Rationalism.—Its Nature, Refutation, History | 39 |
| § 4. | Dogmatism | 44 |
| § 5. | Proper Office of Reason in Matters of Religion | 49 |
| Reason necessary for the Reception of a Revelation.—Difference between Knowing and Understanding.—Reason must judge of the Credibility of a Revelation.—The Impossible cannot be believed.—Reason must judge of the Evidences of a Revelation | 53 | |
| § 6. | Relation of Philosophy and Revelation | 55 |
| § 7. | Office of the Senses in Matters of Faith | 59 |
| viCHAPTER IV. | ||
| MYSTICISM. | ||
| § 1. | Meaning of the Word | 61 |
| Philosophical Use of the Word | 61 | |
| Mysticism as known in Church History | 66 | |
| § 2. | Mysticism in the Early Church | 69 |
| Montanism.—The so-called Dionysius.—New Platonism | 71 | |
| § 3. | Mysticism during the Middle Ages | 73 |
| General Characteristics of that Period.—Different Classes of Mediæval Theologians.—Pantheistical Tendencies of Mysticism.—Evangelical Mystics | 79 | |
| § 4. | Mysticism at and after the Reformation | 79 |
| Effect of the Reformation on the Popular Mind.—Mystics among the Reformers.—Schwenkfeld | 82 | |
| § 5. | Quietism | 84 |
| General Character.—Leaders of the Movement.—Madame Guyon, Archbishop Fénélon | 87 | |
| § 6. | The Quakers or Friends | 88 |
| Their Origin and Early History.—Their Doctrines.—The Doctrines of the Orthodox Friends.—Heterodox Friends.—Barclay's Views | 93 | |
| § 7. | Objections to the Mystical Theory | 97 |
| It has no Foundation in Scripture.—It is contrary to Facts of Experience.—Productive of Evil | 103 | |
| CHAPTER V. | ||
| ROMAN CATHOLIC DOCTRINE CONCERNING THE RULE OF FAITH | ||
| § 1. | Statement of the Doctrine | 104 |
| § 2. | Roman Catholic Doctrine concerning the Scriptures | 104 |
| Incompleteness of the Scriptures.—Obscurity of the Scriptures.—Latin Vulgate | 107 | |
| § 3. | Tradition | 108 |
| Tridentine Doctrine | 109 | |
| § 4. | The Office of the Church as a Teacher | 1ll |
| The Organs of the Church in Teaching.—The Gallican Theory.—The Transmontane | 112 | |
| § 5. | Examination of the Romish Doctrine | 113 |
| § 6. | Examination of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome on Tradition | 113 |
| Difference between Tradition and the Analogy of Faith.—Common Consent.—Tradition and Development.—The State of the Question.—Arguments against the Doctrine of Tradition | 121 | |
| § 7. | Office of the Church as a Teacher | 129 |
| Romish Doctrine on the Subject.—Romish Definition of the Church and its Foundation.—Romish Doctrine of Infallibility founded on a Wrong Theory of the Church.—The Doctrine of Infallibility Founded on the False Assumption of the Perpetuity of the Apostleship.—Modern Prelates not Apostles.—Infallibility founded on a False Interpretation of the Promise of Christ.—It viiis contradicted by Facts.—Recognition of an Infallible Church incompatible with either Religious or Civil Liberty | 149 | |
| CHAPTER VI. | ||
| THE PROTESTANT RULE OF FAITH. | ||
| § 1. | The Statement of the Doctrine | 151 |
| The Canon | 152 | |
| § 2. | The Scriptures given by Inspiration of God | 153 |
| The Nature of Inspiration.—Inspiration Supernatural.—Distinction between Revelation and Inspiration.—Inspired Men the Organs of God.—Proof of the Doctrine.—Argument from the Signification and Use of the Word Inspiration.— From the Meaning of the Word Prophet. From the Declarations of Scripture.—Inspiration extends equally to all Parts of Scripture.—Extends to the Words as well as to the Thoughts.—Plenary Inspiration.—Objections considered | 168 | |
| § 3. | Adverse Theories | 172 |
| Rationalistic Doctrine.—Schleiermacher's Theory.—Objections to that Theory.—Gracious Inspiration.—Partial Inspiration | 181 | |
| § 4. | Completeness of Scripture | 182 |
| § 5. | Perspicuity of Scripture.—Right of Private Judgment | 188 |
| § 6. | Rules of Interpretation | 187 |
| PART I. | ||
| THEOLOGY PROPER. | ||
| CHAPTER I. | ||
| ORIGIN OF THE IDEA OF GOD. | ||
| § 1. | Knowledge of God as Innate | 191 |
| What is Meant by Innate Knowledge.—Proof that the Knowledge of God is Innate | 194 | |
| § 2. | The Knowledge of God is not due to a Process of Reasoning | 199 |
| § 3. | The Knowledge of God is not due exclusively to Tradition | 201 |
| § 4. | Can the Existence of God be proved? | 202 |
| CHAPTER II. | ||
| THEISM. | ||
| § 1. | Ontological Argument.—As presented by Anselm.—By Des Cartes | 204 |
| —By Dr. Samuel Clarke.—By Cousin | 206 | |
| § 2. | Cosmological Argument | 207 |
| Principle of Sufficient Cause.—Nature of Causation.—Intuitive Conviction of the Necessity of a Cause for every Effect.—The World is an Effect.—Hume's Objection to the Cosmological Argument | 211 | |
| § 3. | Teleological Argument | 215 |
| Its Nature.—Evidences of Design in the World | 217 | |
| viii§ 4. | Objections to the Teleological Argument | 227 |
| Denial of Final Causes.—Objections of Hume and Kant | 228 | |
| § 5. | The Moral or Anthropological Argument | 233 |
| Nature of the Argument.—Argument from the Existence of the Mind.—From the Nature of the Soul.—From the Moral Nature of Man | 237 | |
| CHAPTER III. | ||
| ANTI—THEISTIC THEORIES. | ||
| § 1. | What is Meant by Anti-Theism.—Atheism | 241 |
| § 2. | Polytheism | 243 |
| § 3. | Hylozoism | 245 |
| § 4. | Materialism | 246 |
| Doctrine of Epicurus.—Materialism in England during the Eighteenth Century.— Locke.—Hartley.—Priestley.—Materialism in France during the Eighteenth Century.—Positivism | 254 | |
| Scientific Materialism.—Leading Principles | 262 | |
| Correlation of Physical and Vital Forces | 264 | |
| Correlation of Physical and Mental Forces | 271 | |
| Arguments against Materialism.—1. Materialism Contradicts the Facts of Consciousness | 276 | |
| 2. Contradicts the Truths of Reason | 280 | |
| 3. Inconsistent with the Facts of Experience | 282 | |
| 4. Materialism Atheistic | 284 | |
| 5. The Materialistic Argument from Analogy invalid | 285 | |
| Direct Argument against the Theory of the Correlation of Physical, Vital, and Mental Forces | 291 | |
| § 5. | Pantheism.—Its three Principal Forms | 299 |
| General Principles of the System | 300 | |
| History of Pantheism | 309 | |
| Brahminical Pantheism | 309 | |
| Original Religion of the Hindoos Pantheistic.—Relation of the Hindoo Pantheism to Polytheism.—Its Effect upon Religion | 313 | |
| Its Effect upon Social Life | 315 | |
| Grecian Pantheism.—Ionic School.—Eleatic School | 319 | |
| Stoics.—Plato's Doctrine | 322 | |
| Aristotle | 326 | |
| Mediæval Pantheism | 328 | |
| Neo-Platonists.—John Scotus Erigena.—Modern Pantheism | 330 | |
| CHAPTER IV. | ||
| KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. | ||
| § 1. | Can God be known? | 335 |
| State of the Question.—God Inconceivable.—God Incomprehensible.—Our Knowledge of God partial | 337 | |
| How do we form the idea of God?—Proof that this Method is trustworthy | 339 | |
| § 2. | God cannot be fully known | 345 |
| Sir William Hamilton's Argument against the Transcendentalists | 346 | |
| § 3. | Sir William Hamilton's Doctrine | 349 |
| God an Object of Faith but not of Knowledge.—Different Kinds of Ignorance.—Proof that Sir William Hamilton denies that we can know God.—Arguments Against his Doctrine.—The Unthinkable or Impossible cannot be an object of Faith | 352 | |
| Knowledge essential to Faith.—Our Knowledge not regulative | 355 | |
| General Objections to Hamilton's Theory | 359 | |
| Founded on a Wrong Definition of the Absolute and Infinite; on a Wrong Definition of knowledge.—Necessity of a Supernatural Revelation | 364 | |
| CHAPTER V. | ||
| THE NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. | ||
| § 1. | Definitions of God | 366 |
| § 2. | Divine Attributes | 368 |
| Relation of the Attributes to the Essence of God.—The Divine Attributes do not differ merely in our Conceptions | 371 | |
| The Divine Attributes cannot be resolved into mere Causality.—They differ virtualiter | 373 | |
| § 3. | Classification of the Divine Attributes | 374 |
| § 4. | Spirituality of God | 376 |
| Consequences of admitting God to be a Spirit. | 379 | |
| § 5. | Infinity | 380 |
| The Idea of Infinity not merely negative.—The Infinite is not the All.—Infinitude of God in relation to Space | 383 | |
| § 6. | Eternity | 386 |
| Scriptural Doctrine.—Philosophical View.—Modern Philosophical Views | 389 | |
| § 7. | Immutability | 390 |
| Philosophical Statement.—The Absolute Attributes of God not inconsistent with Personality | 391 | |
| § 8. | Knowledge | 393 |
| Its Nature.—Possibility of Knowledge in God precluded by the Pantheistic Theory.—Knowledge and Power are not to be confounded.—The Doctrine of the Scriptures on the Subject.—The Objects of the Divine Knowledge.—The Actual and the Possible.—Scientia Media.—Origin of the Distinction | 399 | |
| The Objections urged by Augustinians.—Foreknowledge | 400 | |
| The Wisdom of God | 401 | |
| § 9. | The Will of God | 402 |
| Meaning of the Term.—Freedom of the Divine Will.—Decretive and Preceptive Will.—Antecedent and Consequent Will.—Absolute and Conditional Will.—The Will of God as the Ground of Moral Obligation | 405 | |
| § 10. | The Power of God | 406 |
| Origin of the Idea of Power.—Omnipotence.—Negation of Power.—Absolute Power. —Potentia Absoluta and Potentia Ordinata.—Will and Power not to be confounded | 410 | |
| x§ 11. | Holiness of God | 413 |
| Grounds on which Moral Attributes are denied to God | 414 | |
| § 12. | Justice | 416 |
| Meaning of the Word.—Justice in its relation to Sin.—Reformation of the Offender not the Primary Object of Punishment.—The Prevention of Crime not the Primary Object of Punishment.—Proof of the Scriptural Doctrine.— Philosophical Views of the Nature of Justice | 424 | |
| § 13. | The Goodness of God | 427 |
| The Scriptural Doctrine.—Benevolence.—Love.—The Existence of Evil.—Theories which involve the Denial of Sin.—Sin regarded as the Necessary Means of the Greatest Good.—The Doctrine that God cannot prevent Sin in a Moral System.—Scriptural Doctrine as to the Origin of Evil | 435 | |
| § 14. | The Truth of God | 436 |
| § 15. | Sovereignty of God | 439 |
| CHAPTER VI. | ||
| THE TRINITY. | ||
| § 1. | Preliminary Remarks | 442 |
| § 2. | Biblical Form of the Doctrine | 443 |
| What that Form is.—Scriptural Proof of the Doctrine.—Progressive Character of Divine Revelation.—Formula of Baptism.—Apostolic Benediction | 448 | |
| § 3. | The Transition Period | 448 |
| Necessity for a more Definite Statement of the Doctrine.—Conflict with Error.—Gnostics.—Platonizers.—Origen's Doctrine.—Sabellianism.—Arianism | 452 | |
| § 4. | The Church Doctrine as presented by the Council of Nice | 458 |
| Objects for which that Council was convened.—Difference of Opinion among the Members of the Council.—Semi-Arians.—Orthodox.—Council of Constantinople.—The Athanasian Creed | 457 | |
| § 5. | Points decided by the Councils of Nice and Constantinople | 459 |
| 1. As against Sabellianism.—2. As against the Arians and the Semi-Arians.—3. The Mutual Relations of the Persons of the Trinity | 466 | |
| § 6. | Examination of the Nicene Doctrine | 462 |
| Subordination.—Eternal Generation.—Eternal Sonship | 471 | |
| Objections urged against the Doctrine of Eternal Sonship | 474 | |
| Relation of the Spirit to the other Persons of the Trinity | 477 | |
| § 7. | Philosophical Forms of the Doctrine of the Trinity | 478 |
| CHAPTER VII. | ||
| THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. | ||
| § 1. | Testimony of the Old Testament | 483 |
| Protevangelium.—Jehovah and the Angel Jehovah.—Evidence contained—1. In the Book of Genesis; 2. In the other Historical xiBooks of the Old Testament; 3. The Book of Psalms.—4. The Prophetical Books | 492 | |
| § 2. | The General Characteristics of the New Testament Teaching concerning Christ | 495 |
| 1. The Sense in which Christ is called Lord | 495 | |
| 2. Christ presented as the Object of our Religious Affections | 497 | |
| 3. The Relations which Christ hears to his People and to the World.—his Authority as a Teacher.—His Control over all Creatures | 501 | |
| 4. The Nature of his Promises | 502 | |
| 5. His Control over Nature | 503 | |
| § 3. | Particular Passages in the New Testament which teach the Divinity of Christ | 504 |
| 1. The writings of St. John.—John i. 14.—Other Passages in St. John's Gospel.—Our Lord's Last Discourse.—The Epistles of St. John.—The Apocalypse | 511 | |
| 2. The Epistles of St. Paul.—The Epistle to the Romans.—Corinthians.—Galatians.—Ephesians.—Philippians.—Colossians.—Pastoral Epistles of St. Paul.—The Epistle to the Hebrews.—Other Sacred Writers of the New Testament | 520 | |
| CHAPTER VIII. | ||
| THE HOLY SPIRIT. | ||
| § 1. | His Nature | 522 |
| His Personality.—Proof of his Personality.—Divinity of the Holy Spirit | 527 | |
| § 2. | Office of the Holy Spirit—1. In Nature; 2. In the Work of Redemption.—The Revealer of all Divine Truth.—Applies to Men the Benefits of the Redemption of Christ | 532 |
| § 3. | History of the Doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit | 532 |
| CHAPTER IX. | ||
| THE DECREES OF GOD. | ||
| § 1. | The Nature of the Divine Decrees | 535 |
| The Glory of God the Final Cause of his Decrees.—Decrees reducible to One Purpose.—The Decrees of God are Immutable.—They are Free.—They are certainly Efficacious.—They relate to all Events.—Free Acts are foreordained | 543 | |
| § 2. | Objections to the Doctrine of Divine Decrees | 545 |
| 1. Foreordination inconsistent with Free Agency.—2. Foreordination of Sin inconsistent with Holiness.—3. The Doctrine of Decrees destroys all Motives to Exertion.—4. It is Fatalism | 548 | |
| CHAPTER X. | ||
| CREATION. | ||
| § 1. | Different Theories concerning the Origin of the Universe | 550 |
| 1. The Purely Physical Theory.—2. The Theories which assume Intelligence in Nature itself.—3. Scriptural Doctrine | 553 | |
| § 2. | Mediate and Immediate Creation | 555 |
| xii§ 3. | Proof of the Doctrine of a Creation ex nihilo | 558 |
| § 4. | Objections to the Doctrine of a Creation ex nihilo | 562 |
| § 5. | Design of the Creation | 565 |
| Scriptural Doctrine as to the Design of the Creation | 567 | |
| § 6. | The Mosaic Account of the Creation | 568 |
| Objections to the Mosaic Account of the Creation—Geology and the Bible | 570 | |
| CHAPTER XI. | ||
| PROVIDENCE. | ||
| § 1. | Preservation | 575 |
| The Nature of Preservation.—Preservation is not a Continued Creation.—Objections to the Doctrine of a Continuous Creation.—Scriptural Doctrine on the Subject | 581 | |
| § 2. | Government | 581 |
| Statement of the Doctrine.—Proof of the Doctrine. | ||
| 1. The Evidence of the Operation of Mind everywhere | 583 | |
| 2. From our Religious Nature | 584 | |
| 3. From Predictions and Promises | 585 | |
| 4. From Experience | 586 | |
| The Scriptural Doctrine | 586 | |
| The Bible teaches—1. God's Providence over Nature; 2. Over the Animal World; 3. Over Nations; 4. Over Individuals, over the Free Acts of Men; 5. God's Providence in Relation to Sin | 589 | |
| § 3. | Different Theories of the Divine Government | 591 |
| 1. The Deistical Theory of God's Relation to the World | 591 | |
| 2. The Theory of Entire Dependence | 592 | |
| 3. The Doctrine that there is no Efficiency except in Mind | 595 | |
| 4. The Theory of Preestablished Harmony | 597 | |
| 5. The Doctrine of Concursus | 598 | |
| Remarks on the Doctrine of Concursus | 603 | |
| § 4. | The Principles involved in the Scriptural Doctrine of Providence | 605 |
| The Providence of God over the Material Universe.—1. The External World has a real Objective Existence.—2. Matter is active.—The Laws of Nature.—The Uniformity of the Laws of Nature consistent with the Doctrine of Providence | 609 | |
| God's Providence in Relation to Vital Processes | 610 | |
| The Providence of God over Rational Creatures | 613 | |
| Distinction between the Providential Efficiency of God and the Influences of the Holy Spirit | 614 | |
| CHAPTER XII. | ||
| MIRACLES. | ||
| § 1. | Usage of the Word | 617 |
| Definition of a Miracle.—Objections to this Definition | 618 | |
| Answer to the above Objections | 620 | |
| The Doctrine of a Higher Law | 624 | |
| Objections to the Doctrine of a Higher Law | 629 | |
| § 2. | Possibility of Miracles | 626 |
| § 3. | Can a Miracle be known as such? | 629 |
| Lying Wonders.—Insufficiency of Human Testimony | 633 | |
| § 4. | The Value of Miracles as a Proof of Divine Revelation | 635 |
| CHAPTER XIII. | ||
| ANGELS. | ||
| § 1. | Their Nature | 637 |
| § 2. | Their State | 639 |
| § 3. | Their Employments | 639 |
| § 4. | Evil Angels | 643 |
| Power and Agency of Evil Spirits.—Demoniacal Possessions | 646 | |
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