Cheering Views of Man and Providence (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1832 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. THE FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY VARYING ACCORDING TO HUMAN NEED. Hope and fear and imagination continue to be the instruments of our religion, and I believe the chosen servants of God. As the delusive expectation that the end of the world was at hand gave impulse and stability to early Christianity, so also delusion, or what is called the corruptions of our religion, have been in a measure the perfections of it, when viewed with reference to the purpose which it was intended to subserve. Let us follow its progress and we shall find that it has assumed that form in the imaginations of men which was best calculated for their good. Its degeneracy from the primitive, spiritual character of its worship into pompous forms and minute ceremonials, was an adaptation to human need. It was the means of extending the religion of Christ more widely among the civilized at the period of this degeneracy. It was rendered attractive to the refined Italians, admirers of external grandeur and beauty, and patrons of the costly arts. The severe simplicity of the apostolic modes might have smitten the sterner few, but it would not have captivated the earthly minded and luxurious many. This addition of externals to the simple truth was absolutely necessary to the Northern invaders of the Roman empire, who, while they erased civilization in a measure, engrafted Christianity on their rough natures. If the early Hebrews needed a ritual, and received one by miracle, so did these rude tribes need one likewise, and through Providence received it. The ceremonial church prevailed for ages, and constituted as the nature of mind and the state of the world were, it could not have been otherwise without miracle. And this being human condition, the church could not have been otherwise th...

General

Imprint:	General Books LLC
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	February 2012
First published:	February 2012
Authors:	Warren Burton
Dimensions:	246 x 189 x 3mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	104
ISBN-13:	978-0-217-56319-2
Barcode:	9780217563192
Categories:	Books Promotions
LSN:	0-217-56319-8

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