vi

iii.

Contents.

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(b) The idea of a beginning: conclusions from . 21

(a) The dissipation of energy

(8) The discontinuity of the formulae

for conduction of heat

(7) The character of molecules

The idea of law: rests on Faith.

22

22

24

26

27

Laws based on assumptions: explain noth-

29

We have a sense of harmony in creation

At the same time we gee a conflict in

nature and in man

30

31

We have a natural sympathy with the ex-
ternal world. This also is spiritual
We have also a belief in progress

Difficulties as to the conception of 'GOD'

(a) No proof of the being of GOD possible:
alleged proofs are partial illustrations

(d) The present relation of finite being to GOD

The religious history of the world. History
of the Jews

CHAPTER II.

THE DUTY AND NECESSITY OF DEALING

WITH THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.

The sense of the mysteries of life leads us to seek

for some solution of the problems which they

suggest

(i) The problems must be dealt with in some way

45

Contents.

(ii) Action influenced by opinion

The moral standard of action.

Conception of GOD as Moral Governor

Belief in a future life

Facts of Revelation: the Incarnation

55

56

57

58

The view of the problems of life has in its

broad aspects a great practical importance
Further definition of the idea of GOD

(iii) It may be said that action will be guided
by experience not by theory

Such a view is subject to serious limitations.
And yet more character is to be taken into

THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A SOLUTION

OF THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE MUST BE

SOUGHT.

assertions regarding (i) self, (ii) the world, (iii)

GOD

68

(i) Truths dependent on the limitations of man's

present nature (conditions of time and

space).

68

(ii) Truths expressing the results of man's ob-

servation of the external world; physical

and vital

Physical laws correspond with the isolation of
the action of particular forces .

Physical truth contrasted with Mathematical

The phenomena of life still more complicated

Historical truth different from Physical and

Mathematical truth

(iii) Truths relating to our knowledge of GOD

We must observe that

(a) The facts belonging to each Science are in-

dependent

75

The subject of a new Science .

(b) The facts included in a complex phenomenon
can be severally isolated and examined
according to their proper laws

(c) The methods of different Sciences are dis-
tinct

Application of these observations to Theo-

(i) The fundamental facts must be given by GoD

This revelation must come through life.

Such 'signs' in life are the basis of Christian

Theology

78

79

80

They establish a connexion between the seen

and the unseen .

81

(ii) The verification of these signs is up to a

certain point historical

The proof primarily personal, but capable of

か

(iii) In dealing with the facts of Theology we must

take account of all the underlying Sciences

Hence Theology advances through the advance

of these

No one Science has peculiar access to Truth.

The results of each Science are distinct in

kind

Usurpations

The danger greater if the method of a sub-
ordinate Science is applied to a higher

The method of Physics cannot rightly deal

with Theology

CHAPTER IV.

THE WORK OF THE PRE-CHRISTIAN NATIONS

TOWARDS THE SOLUTION OF THE PRO-

BLEMS OF LIFE.

Tentative præ-Christian solutions of the problems of

life.

The character of the solution required

The solution must be religious

The idea of religion

This idea must be traced in the history of humanity

The history of religion parallel in part to the history

of language

Correspondence between groups of languages and reli-

gions

Illustrations from the use of sex-terminations in nouns

from Divine Names

from formation of words

But languages reveal and do not create religious ten-

dencies

W. G. L.

106

b

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Contents.

Thus Gentile religions are a fragmentary revelation

of man's nature and needs

In what sense there is a historical science of religion
Two groups of facts to be distinguished

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107

108

110

PRE-CHRISTIAN SOLUTIONS OF THE

PROBLEMS OF BEING.

The value of the præ-Christian Book-religions to the

Strength and weakness of Confucianism

Importance of the primitive religion of China

130

131

132

134

135

136

138

139

141