The Book of Religions: Comprising the Views, Creeds, Sentiments, or Opinions, of All the Principal Religious Sects in the World, Particularly of All Christian Denominations in Europe and America, to Which are Added Church and Missionary Statistics, Together With Biographical SketchesHayward, John
Religion
The Book of Religions: Comprising the Views, Creeds, Sentiments, or Opinions, of All the Principal Religious Sects in the World, Particularly of All Christian Denominations in Europe and America, to Which are Added Church and Missionary Statistics, Together With Biographical Sketches
Hayward, John
Christian biography; Religions; Sects
“It is evident, from the examples here given, that, although
Orthodoxy denotes a general system of important doctrines or facts
on the subject of religion, it is not to be inferred, either by
friends or foes, that Orthodox Christians are tied up to precisely
the same views of subjects, or that there exists no diversity of
sentiment among them. There is, and always has been, a diversity
of sentiment, in regard not only to modes and forms, but to the
statement, proofs, and explanations, of the most important
doctrines. Some of them, to be sure, are little more than verbal;
but others are _real_, are fitted to excite interest, and are
entitled to very serious consideration. Still, as they are all
held in avowed consistency with that great series of facts which
go to constitute the Orthodox system, they should not be regarded
as placing their advocates beyond the proper limits of Orthodoxy.
They constitute a wide field of important discussion, over which
those who agree in holding the Head,—in holding the great
doctrines of redemption by the blood of Christ, and of
sanctification by the Holy Spirit,—may freely and fraternally
traverse. Modes and forms, the interpretation of passages, and
explanations of particular doctrines, (so long as essential
doctrines are not discarded,) may be discussed without the
interruption of brotherly affection, and without the imputation
and reproach of heresy. One person may hold that all Scripture is
given by the inspiration of _suggestion_; and another that, while
some parts are the fruit of immediate suggestion, others may more
properly be attributed to the inspiration of _superintendence_;
and neither should charge the other with denying the inspiration
of the Scriptures, or with being a heretic, or an infidel. One
person may insist that the passage in 1 John 5:7, is authentic
Scripture, and strong proof of the doctrine of the Trinity; and
another may doubt this, or deny it altogether; and neither should
be charged with intentionally corrupting the Scriptures, or with
being a Unitarian. One person may hold that God executes his
immutable and eternal decrees by a direct efficiency, and another
that he does it by the intervention of motives, and yet one be no
more an Arminian than the other.”
ANDOVER ORTHODOX CREED.
Every person appointed or elected a professor in the Theological
Institution at Andover, in the state of Massachusetts, shall, on the day
of his inauguration into office, publicly make and subscribe the following
CREED and DECLARATION:—
Creed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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