New-York tribune., 1872-04-23
TIE FOURTH GOSPEL THE HEART OF CHRIST b. EDxuyD
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TIE FOURTH GOSPEL THE HEART OF CHRIST b. EDxuSD
H. SEARS l3mo. pp. 5oi. Noyes Holmes Co.
The purpose of this volume is to present q
new contribution the biography of Jesus from ma
terias chiefly derived from the Gospel of St. John Mr.
Sears the genuincness of that portion OF the
New Testament in spite Of the formidable objections
that have been brought against il in the progress Of mod
ern critical research His work, in fact, forms treatise
on the Christian evidences in which the principal ques-
tons relating to the Christian revelation, whether Of a
critical a philosophical nature, receive an ample
discussion. Like most intelligent writers the
subject at the present day, he aims to show the
accordance Of Christianity with the latest theories of
modern ply steal science which in his view. far from
conflicting with the truths Of religion, afford TO them
powerful illustration and support. In common with
Professor Parsons, whose able the Infinite
and Finite" was recently noticed In our columns, Mr.
Sears maintains "the nvOuton OF the supernatural in
the natural and the immancDcc OF God in humanity"
The notion of divine carpenter architect does not
enter Into his theory Of creation God does not build or
manufacture the universe from preGXistng materials
from nothing but from the fullness of his nature
The external world is but the daily thought Of God
in concrete forms, the print and copy OF
the Eternal Mind. No species
style Of life has been started mechanically by the
Creator, made out Of nothing. The idea not only
shocks the reason but confirmed by any of the
known facts Of natural history. Some hcoogans, Mr.
Sears remarls are strangely fearful lest Mr.. Darwns
doctrine OF the origin Of species should land the sc!en
tfc world in atheism. He believes, on the contrary,
that should II be verified it would only furnish chapter
OF new book OF Genesis, showing in succession the
ascent Of species through six days of creation Till
appeared upon the earth IL trace a type of life
to its beginning, find that it abuts upon something
both higher and lower than itself Animal life for ill.,
stance. has been evolved from vegetable. De
vclopment from lower to higher species is not
self-evoluton. every creation OF new type
OF being is conception and BIRTH having only Nature
Oh the maternal side, and the immanent Deity on the
paternal necessatng 10 finite fatherhOod between"
If 1t should then turn ont Of the discoveries Of
natural science that man not made by the direct
interposcn of God but proceeds from vast system of
evolution, ascending from the ncbua the mineral,
from the mineral TO the plant, from the plant TO the
animal, and from the animal to man,the glorious
flower Of the whole opening into the light Of iumor-
taty-there Is nothing more worthy Of the Divine wis
dom and OmnipOenee. II it be true that man not
extenporized by his Creator, but that million years
were employed in making him. the workmanship Is
wonderful and superb that accountNor does the
author shrink from the cordial acceptance OF the modern
doctrine Of unity Of force. of which he gives ad
mrabe analysis and exposition in striking chapter
The Transparences Of Nature" The principle that
force once exered and is lost in
other words It's equivalence and eternal continuance
the correlation and conservation Of forces, whose dis
cOvery and demonstration is the auspcous achievement
of modern times" With this profound recognition of
the claims OF science, Mr. Sears cings with tenacious
grasp TO the cardinal truths Of religion, revealed in
the person and history OF Jesus Christ and preserved
In the records Of the New Testament He re-
CARDS the Divine Incarnation as the peculiar
doctrine OF Christianity; and especially the dis.
tnctiye feature Of the theology of st. John. Tho
other Gospel writers had moro or less clear
forecast Of IT, but In John it beams forth as the sun Of
the whole Christian system, showing all It's other truths
In organic relations with It, In the illustration of his
views, Mr. Sears betrays snguary emotional temper
combined WITH tie faculty OF reasoning an
enlightened love OF science with deep spirit OF
tlon and q firm adherence to MS own convictions with
catholic appreciation OF the convictions Of others.
vein Of generous charity pTvades his work. though lie
never INDUCES in tendency TO unworthy concessions.
He writes with remarkable precision and force and
eofteae the occasional dyness r The discussion by fro