MAN 225 



forming to the personality of tlie God manifested in 

 his environment. 



Can you find anywhere a more profound or scientific 

 philosophy of history than that of Paul in the first 

 chapter of Eomans? "For the invisible things of 

 him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, 

 being perceived through the things that are made, 

 even his everlasting power and divinity ; so that they 

 are without excuse : because that, knowing God, they 

 glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks ; but 

 became vain in their reasonings and their senseless 

 heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be 

 wise, they became fools. And even as they refused 

 to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up 

 to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are 

 not fitting; being fiUed with all unrighteousness."* 

 And then follows the dark picture, from which we 

 revolt but which the ancient historians themselves 

 justify. 



On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at Eome is 

 Michel Angelo's marvellous painting of the creation 

 of Adam. A human figure of magnificent strength is 

 half-rising from its recumbent posture, as if just 

 awakening to consciousness, and is reaching out its 

 hand to touch the outstretched finger of God. The 

 human being became and becomes man when, and in 

 propoi-tion as, he puts himself in touch with God, and 

 is inspired with the divine Hfe. The lower animal 

 conformed mainly to the material in environment, man 

 conforms consciously to the spiritual and personal. 



Any science of human history that does not ac- 

 knowledge man's relation to a personal God is fatally 



» Romans i. 20-23, 28. 

 15 



