The Christian Disciple and Theological Review (Volume 5)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1823. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The Christian disciple and theological review Henry Ware THE CHRISTrAX DISCIPLE. NEW SERIES No. 85. January and February, 1828. A CONSIDERATION OF SOME OBJECTIONS TO RATIONAL CHRISTIANITY, AS NOT BEING A RELIGION FOR THE POOR. It is sometimes confidently asserted, that the view? of religion Which are held by rational christians, (us they are termed by way of distinction, ) are not adapted to the ignorant and unlettered part of the community: that, in a word, our religion is not a religion for the poor. If this objection were founded in truth, it should have great weight; and, as much as almost any thing, would lead us to distrust the principles which we receive. But we are persuaded that the cotitrary is the fact; and we will state some of the grounds of that persuasion. I. It is objected, in the first place, that our religious belief is not sufficiently defined to be made the ground of instruction with the ignorant; and that they require a system, which is exact and tangible. We acknowledge, that there would be a great convenience in having a complete formulary of faith; and in being able to show with precision what men ought to believe on every topic of religious inquiry; but we think there exists with us in this respect no rery objectionable deficiency. The most elaborate creeds are a poor substitute for knowledge and study of which they commonly take the place. That faith, which is the result of study and reflection, is of a more practical character, than that, which is implicitly received upon authority only. Creeds are hostile to inquiry, and so present a great impediment to religious knowledge; for what use "r motives are there for inquiry, when nothing more remains to be discovered? JVew Series--vol. V...