Progressive Formulation of the Doctrine,.. The Trinitarian Conception Based on Divine Unity, Immanent and Economic Trinity, Illustrative Attempts to Explain the Trinity,.. Proofs of the Doctrine,. CHAPTER IV.-THE WORKS OF GOD, Creation,... God's End, or Purpose, in Creating,. Creation a Free Act.... Ascribed to God as Triune,. Distinction Between Creatio Prima and Secunda,.. Creatio Prima,..... Creation Through Second Causes,. God's Relation to His Creation,.... Agreements Between Genesis Account and Findings of Science,... Preservation,... Not Negative,... Relation of Second Causes to Preservation, Not Continuous Creation,... Providence,..... Its Presuppositions and Aim,.. Distinguished as Ordinary and Extraordinary, Ordinary Providence-Causal and Permissive,. Ordinary Providence-General and Particular,... Extraordinary Providence,.. 303 303-313 313-320 320-333 334-379 334-356 334-338 338-339 339-340 340 340-346 346-350 350-353 353-356 356-363 357 357-359 359-363 363-379 363-365 365 366-371 371-376 376-379 DIVISION II. THE DOCTRINE CONCERNING MAN (ANTHROPOLOGY). Definitions and Scope of the Inquiry,.... 380-382 CHAPTER I.-MAN'S PRIMITIVE STATE,. 383-415 Scripture Account of Man's Creation,... 383-385 Made in God's Image and Likeness,.... His Bodily Organism Adapted to Immortal Life,.... 390-392 His Holiness and Dominion Dependent on Obe- Various False Views, Pelagian, Primitive Savagery,.. 393-395 The Evolutionary Theory of Man's Origin,... CHAPTER II.-MAN'S STATE OF SIN,..... Through External Solicitation, Doctrine of Original Sin,...... Confessional and Dogmatic Statements,. Evidenced by Universality of Sin,..... Failure to Explain Universal Sinfulness on other Degree of Corruption by Original Sin,... Does Original Sin Include Guilt?.... Various Theories of Imputation,..... Relation of the Doctrine of the Guilt of Original Sin to the Question of Unbaptized Infants Dying in Distinguished from Original Sin,. Distinctions in Actual Sins,.... CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. INTRODUCTION. NEVER, perhaps, has there been more need than at present of settling carefully the great presuppositions to a correct formulation of Christian theology. The need has come from the special direction and activity of modern inquiry and speculative criticism. New conditions have arisen. Theology must face them. These presuppositions concern the fundamental basis and scope of theology, its subject-matter, its rightful sources, and true method. A safe and justly articulated system of its essential, constitutive doctrines is necessarily conditioned in correct views on these subjects. They, therefore, stand as preliminary and introductory. The whole theological system, as well as many of its particular doctrines, must of necessity vary according as different conceptions are held on these proemial subjects; for these conceptions take the place of first principles in determining dogmatic conclusions. This fact shows the fundamental and vital importance of the questions which thus meet us on the threshold of theology. As a result of ever-increasing knowledge from continued examination and re-discussion, each new generation attains some additional light for correct and certified view of these questions. Account must always be taken of whatever helpful information has been attained. This rule is justly applicable at all times. But it is specially enforced in our day; for the latter half of the nineteenth century and the opening years of this new century have given these questions an unparalleled attention and investigation. To a most extraordinary extent recent scholarship, in comparative religion, in archæological exploration, in historical research, in science, in philosophy, and in criticism, carried forward with untiring industry, and, sometimes, with hostile or revolutionary spirit, has concentrated itself upon studies along the lines touching these presuppositions of theological intro duction. The settlement and statement of them now must be made under all the light which this scrutinizing scholarship has supplied. Different thinkers may, as they do, disagree as to the value of the results of this recent study and discussion, and the degree in which they are entitled to modify hitherto accepted views. But whether they be accorded a greater or a less weight of influence, theological fidelity requires their frank and discriminating consideration, accepting what is true and resisting unsustained claims. In this way theology remains loyal to its fullest light, while conserving its firmly established truths. It is assuring to Christian faith in our much agitated age, that, while the modern progress in knowledge calls for some modification in the formal setting of some of these presuppositions or introductory truths, it has in fact verified and strengthened the essential foundations and principles of the Church's theology. |
