Next Step In Religion

Author : Roy Sellars
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781544688640
Total Pages : 214 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (886 download)

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Download or read book The Next Step in Religion written by Roy Sellars and published by . This book was released on 2017-03-14 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Is significant as indicating the need the modern thinker feels of coming to some understanding with religion....The book is an example of radicalism at its best. While the author never fails to state his opinion fully and frankly, he always does this with the least possible offense to those who differ from him. Dr. Sellars is not among those half-way thinkers who believe that liberal religion has already done its work, has indicated all the readjustments that need to be made, and so has nothing left to do except to sit down and let orthodoxy overtake it. Instead, he believes that important changes are yet to be made, that 'the perspective, intention, and elements of religion are about to alter.' 'Humanity hugs illusion more fondly than it does truth because it is more familiar with it.' It we only have spiritual courage we can all have a part in 'the high adventure of separating moral truth from theological illusion.'" -Christian Register "The benefit of the book is that of a cold plunge. It may be recommended strongly to those who are strong enough to get the glow of a wholesome reaction. To such the great stimulus of the work is in deepening the conviction that Christianity must demonstrate in the lives of its adherents that, here and now more than any other religion (using the word in its secondary as well as its primary sense) it makes for human values - intellectual, moral, aesthetic, etc. If it does not and cannot then it is doomed to be superseded and ought to be." -The Biblical World "'The center of gravity of religion has been openly changing for some time now from supernaturalism to what may best be called humanistic naturalism.' Dr. Sellars traces, in a flowing conciliatory style, the past and present of this process: finds the origins of supernaturalism in the impotence of primitive man - nature being worshiped where she cannot be controlled; and attributes the decay of supernaturalism to the development of man's knowledge and power. Nature is like any other feminine - not worshiped once she has been known. Along with this theological debacle has gone a domestication of ideals: Heaven has become Utopia, to be sought no longer by prayers to God but by telegrams to the President. Religion is to mean devotion to goodness, beauty, truth; 'selfish luxury will be scorned, property subordinated to welfare, economic fear lessened to the utmost, knowledge unenviously exalted, and art called into service.' This capacity of man to feel devotion is the noble element in the beast; for nourishing it religion may some day have her crimes forgotten. Morality alone - the restriction of self-seeking within social bounds - will not suffice; it must be touched with devotion. Religion is morality on fire; 'loyalty to the values of life.'" -The Dial "An able and well written book." -The Nation "Such a volume is stimulating - it shows how many of our cherished convictions and 'truths' are but guesses and idle words. And since we need such restatements it is well that they should be furnished by those who have such a large faith in the future." -Homiletic Review CONTENTS I SUGGESTIONS II THE AGE OF MYTH III STORIES OF CREATION IV MAGIC AND RITUAL V THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY VI THE PROPHET OF NAZARETH VII THE EVOLUTION OF CHRISTIANITY VIII THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY IX THE LIMITS OF PERSONAL AGENCY X DO MIRACLES HAPPEN? XI THE SOUL AND IMMORTALITY XII THE PROBLEM OF EVIL XIII RELIGION AND ETHICS XIV THE CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION--THE CATHOLIC CHURCH XV THE CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION--PROTESTANTISM XVI THE HUMANIST'S RELIGION