The Substance of Faith Allied with Science (6th Ed.): A Catechism for Parents and TeachersLodge, Oliver, Sir
Religion
The Substance of Faith Allied with Science (6th Ed.): A Catechism for Parents and Teachers
Lodge, Oliver, Sir
Religion and science
_Q. 15. What, then, do you reverently believe can be deduced from a
study of the records and traditions of the past in the light of the
present?_
_A._ I believe in one Infinite and Eternal Being, a guiding and loving
Father, in whom all things consist.
I believe that the Divine Nature is specially revealed to man through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lived and taught and suffered in Palestine
1900 years ago, and has since been worshipped by the Christian Church as
the immortal Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is ever ready to help us along the Way
towards Goodness and Truth; that prayer is a means of communion between
man and God; and that it is our privilege through faithful service to
enter into the Life Eternal, the Communion of Saints, and the Peace of
God.
_Q. 16. What do you mean by the Life Eternal?_
_A._ I mean that whereas our terrestrial existence is temporary, our
real existence continues without ceasing, in either a higher or a lower
form, according to our use of opportunities and means of grace; and that
the fulness of Life ultimately attainable represents a growing
perfection at present inconceivable by us.
_Q. 17. What is the significance of “the Communion of Saints”?_
_A._ Higher and holier beings must possess, in fuller fruition, those
privileges of communion which are already foreshadowed by our own
faculties of language, of sympathy, and of mutual aid; and as we know
that man’s power of friendly help is not confined to his fellows, but
extends to other animals, so may we conceive ourselves part of a mighty
Fellowship of love and service.
_Q. 18. What do you understand by prayer?_
_A._ I understand that when our spirits are attuned to the Spirit of
Righteousness, our hopes and aspirations exert an influence far beyond
their conscious range, and in a true sense bring us into communion with
our Heavenly Father. This power of filial communion is called prayer; it
is an attitude of mingled worship and supplication; we offer petitions
in a spirit of trust and submission, and endeavour to realise the Divine
attributes, with the help and example of Christ.
_Q. Rehearse the prayer taught us by Jesus._
_A._ Our Father, etc.
_Q. 19. Explain the clauses of this prayer._
_A._ We first attune our spirit to consciousness of the Divine
Fatherhood; trying to realise His infinite holiness as well as His
loving-kindness, desiring that everything alien to His will should cease
in our hearts and in the world, and longing for the establishment of the
Kingdom of Heaven. Then we ask for the supply of the ordinary needs of
existence, and for the forgiveness of our sins and shortcomings as we
pardon those who have hurt us. We pray to be kept from evil influences,
and to be protected when they attack us. Finally, we repose in the
might, majesty, and dominion of the Eternal Goodness.
_Q. 20. What is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven?_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account