Publisher's Synopsis
It is refreshing to come upon a book written by one who not only claims to represent the modern point of view in history, criticism, and theology but actually does so, and that too with the hearty approval of his bishop. The problems here discussed-the grounds of belief in God suggested by evolution, the nature of evil, religion and science, personality, free will, conscience, religion and theology, and the God who is justified by philosophy-have been discussed often before and will come up afresh with each new generation. But it would be hard to find a presentation more fearless, intelligent, sincere, and sober than is here offered. The aim of the author is to examine the basis of religious experience. In showing that "Religion is Reason not aware of itself that it is reason," he makes no direct appeal to either the Bible or Christianity. He is an idealist in philosophy. His religious convictions are as vital as his criticism of creeds and even the Scriptures is radical and at the same time constructive. He is perhaps least illumining when dealing with personality and least convincing in his examination of free will which, while his analysis is both, subtle and accurate, succeeds only in part in maintaining his contention against determinism. His bishop's words are just: "If the problems discussed are old, the treatment in these pages is new.... I trust it will command, as it deserves to do, the attention of all those who desire to satisfy the questionings of the intellect on these vital matters."
-Homiletic Review, Vol. 68
