Gwatkin on the Scandal of the Cross
May 14, 2012
But the fullest illustration of the scandal of the cross may be found in the Life of Apollonius, written by Philostratus at the command of Julia Domna. It is practically the Gospel rewritten to satisfy such objections as those of Celsus: and that it was more or less intended for something of the sort seems [...]
Chandler on St. Paul’s Question
May 8, 2012
I know indeed that a Man, who thinks the Resurrection impossible, and that ’tis above the Power of God to effect it, will never be satisfied with the Accounts we have of these appearances of Christ. And if this is his fixed Principle, no Account whatsoever could possibly give him Satisfaction. His Infidelity would start Objections for ever, and the How can these Things be, weigh down all possible Proof and Demonstration of them.
James Orr on Huxley’s Centaur and Hume’s Error
March 28, 2012
Even here, however, it may be shown that Hume pushes his argument beyond its due bounds. The improbability in question is felt when the circumstances are ordinary; but what if they are extraordinary? Hume assumes that the presumption against a miracle must always be practically infinite. But everything here depends on circumstances. . . .
Chesterton on Evidence and Dogma
March 15, 2012
Somehow or other an extraordinary idea has arisen that the disbelievers in miracles consider them coldly and fairly, while believers in miracles accept them only in connection with some dogma. The fact is quite the other way.
Isaac Taylor:
March 5, 2012
WE are told that Christianity must be content to take its place along with many indeterminate questions, which are, and which should be spoken of among reasonable men as “matters of opinion.”
I deny this allegation; and I take my position, with all humility, yet fearlessly, on this opposite ground, . . .
No flighty converts
I would not lift up my finger, or stir a straw, to make a sudden and spasmodic conversion of any one of you, which would leave you helpless in your new belief, and incapable of giving a reason of the hope within you. Such a convert would be a very useless one.
Knox on the ascension
February 27, 2012
Mr. Streeter says he knows of no living theologian who would maintain a physical Ascension in this crude form. I have no claim to be a theologian. I can only say that as a person of ordinary education I believe, as I hope for salvation, in this literal doctrine; …
Tournier on the experience of God
February 20, 2012
I always remember one New Year’s Eve. I had left my wife at home in order to spend the moment of midnight, in accordance with tradition, standing in the Cathedral square with the uncle who had brought me up. When I got back I found my wife overwhelmed and transformed.
Gwatkin on biblical criticism
February 15, 2012
Abbott and Schmiedel are scholars from whom we would gladly learn, for some of their other work is excellent; but they have shewn small judgment here. “Critical” methods like these will turn any history whatever into romance.
The “myth” of Alexander the Great
February 6, 2012
Eumenes and Diodorus, the chroniclers of the daily affairs of this pretended conqueror and ruler, tell us he died on the eleventh of June, toward the close of the day. But Aristobulus and Ptolemy, who were at his bedside at the time, mention the thirteenth of June as the day of his death! What more is wanting to show the legendary character of this alleged history, when eye-witnesses cannot come within two days of the death of their hero? If I doubt the truth of the Gospel histories because they differ by three hours as to the time of the crucifixion of Christ; shall I believe the pretended history of this mythical Alexander, when eye-witnesses differ two days as to the time of his death!
