CHAPTER XII 



RATIONALISTIC CRITICISMS UPON THE THEOLOGICAL 



ASPECT OF GOD 



There is a tolerable uniformity in writers of the Mon- 

 istic, Rationalistic and other kindred schools as to the 

 non-acceptance in the belief of God ; because it is want- 

 ing in such proof as they will only accept. 



Some, as Huxley, content themselves with the word 

 " Agnostic " ; Haeckel goes further and denies the ex- 

 istence of a conscious God altogether. 



The question, therefore, arises : What sort of proof 

 do they require to satisfy them ? 



I will select the author of Mr. Balfour's Apologetics, 

 and quote some paragraphs as representative of a typical 

 Rationalist's views. 



(i) " To describe Theology as a department of know- 

 ledge is to beg the whole question at issue between 

 Rationalism and Religion." ^ 



(2) " Knowledge courts the most rigorous investiga- 

 tion. . . . What single fact or statement is there in the 

 realm of Theology which can be successfully submitted 

 to these conditions and may, therefore, be entitled to 

 rank as knowledge ? " ^ 



(3) " Science remains firmly planted on the impreg- 

 nable ground of experience. . . . Theology consists of 



1 Op. cit.y p. 24. '^ P. 24. 



(350) 



