The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-01
PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS ON THEOLOGY.
To rHE EDITOR OF THE HERALD

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The writer, having studied the Holy Scripture
with great ZEAL earnestness and sincerity Of heart
according to the dictates Of his own mind, and
having conscientiously formed his own conclusion,
would now respectfully claim attention to the fol-
lowing questions, so that the public may Judge and
decide defnitively either for or against a philo-
sophical view Of Scripture. There can be but one
true way Of rendering or interpreting Holy Writ.
All others, therefore, must be made up Of fallacy
sophistry and deluson:--
l. Is Theology, as known az present, positive
fact, or IL IL q delusony
2. IL the institution Of the Christian Church
science, or is il not?
3. Is the principle Of reason in man natural, or
Ia It acQuiredg
4. Is reason the founder and ruler Of liberty, or
"a IL not?
s., Was the republic Of Rome the first OF which
we have any knowledge?
6. IL. the principle Of reason. as IL naturally IL,
capable OF continual selfgovernment
Z. Would II be science Of great magnitude 70
change the nature OF man.
9. Is there any other principle in the doctrine
Of Christianity except to infuse or engraft the
ture OF woman, which is sympathy, into the ma
ture Of man!
3. Would reason and sympathy combined be
capable Of continual self-govcrnmentg
10. would perfect form Of government be q
happy state for the people,
itself.
out q revelation Of the fixed principle upon which
Il Is founded
II. Is the Bible history Of past events. or IL it
book OF principles, precepts aud doctrines ex-
10. Has steam engine, or the material OF which
~ is made and scientifically constructed rs a re-
volving medium, principle, and IL that principle
subject 10 steam powerg
II. Has the Bible letters and words as material
Of which Il is composed and are those letters AMI
words go combined and arranged as TO have
spirit or principle within them, aud Is that spirit
subject TO higher principle, called Holy Spirit!
Is. Is steam the true power OF an engine
l6. Is the Holy Spirit the true power Of the
Bihleg
III Is the steam part OF the engine, or may il
be removed and leave the engine complete in Itself
Is. Is the Holy Spirit part Of the Bible, or is
II hidden aud the Bible complete as book with
out III
TO- Now. has steam engine any comparison
with the Bible in regard to science and win Il in
any manner tend 70 illustrate the subjectg
20. DO our divine doctors or theological chief
engineers know tho true power OF the Bible and
how TO use and direct IT.
n. Did an unknown and mysterious Being called
God create out Of nothing this natural world upon
which We live OF did philosophy create the in
stitution Of Christianity out Of nothing and call
%. Is II material or natural nature that was
created out Of nothing or Is Il immaterisl or
spiritual naturci
as is there created heaven in material ma.
fure?
"a. Ia there not created heaven in spiritual
natureg sk
rs. Has the created heaven ornament or q
Hrmness In ~
"a IL the letter or literal sense OF Scripture the
crcature that was createdi or 10 the creature
natural man and beast, l.e.
az. DID the true God OF the Bible make natural
person out Of the dust OF the grounds or did
philosophy take the existing state OF mankind a.