THE CHURCHES AND MODERN THOUGHT AN INQUIRY INTO THE GROUNDS OF UNBELIEF AND AN APPEAL FOR CANDOUR BY PHILIP VIVIAN "Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely." --Macaulay. London: WATTS & CO., 17, JOHNSON'S COURT, FLEET STREET. E.C. 1911 TO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN CONTENTS Preface to First Edition Preface to Second Edition Preface to Third Edition Chapter I. THE GRAVITY OF THE PRESENT SITUATION § 1. The Truth of the Matter § 2. The Attitude of the Laity § 3. Christianity and Science not Reconciled § 4. The Genesis and Character of the New Outburst § 5. Apologetics "Found Wanting" § 6. More Things Which Confuse the Issue Chapter II. THE EXTRAORDINARY STATE OF APOLOGETICS WITH REGARD TO MIRACLES § 1. Preliminary Remarks The View of Science Why Have Miracles Ceased? Belief in Miracles Essential § 2. Miracle Apologetics § 3. The Fundamental Miracles The Resurrection The Ascension The Incarnation Concluding Remarks Chapter III. THE DESTRUCTIVE CHARACTER OF MODERN BIBLE CRITICISM § 1. Clashing Views on Bible Criticism § 2. A Summary of the Results of Bible Criticism § 3. By Whom the "Higher Criticism" is Accepted § 4. Admissions by Orthodox Apologists § 5. Some Remaining Difficulties We Must Accept the Whole or Reject the Whole Silence of Historians Thoughts on "Tradition" As God's Method for The Transmission of Truth To Posterity The Alleged Sinlessness of Jesus Christ The Ignorance of Jesus Christ Chapter IV. THE GRAVE SUSPICIONS AROUSED BY THE STUDY OF ANCIENT BELIEFS § 1. The New Theological Theory of a Progressive Revelation § 2. Parallels in Ancient Religions, and Some Remarks Upon Them Krishna and Buddha Parallels Other Than Krishna and Buddha Are the Krishna and Buddha Legends Borrowed from Christianity? § 3. Parallels in the Beliefs of Primitive Man, And Some Remarks Upon Them The Religions of Ancient America Vegetation Gods Why Men Eat Their God § 4. The Solar Myth Jonah and the Whale Anticipations of Christianity in Solar Myths The Christian Theory Ignored by Science The Sun As a Symbol § 5. Concluding Remarks on Christian and Anti-Christian Theories Argument from Essenism Argument from Mithraism Chapter V. IRRECONCILABLE DIFFICULTIES CONNECTED WITH EVOLUTION