A Doubter's Doubts about Science and Religion

A DOUBTER’S Doubts about Science and Religion was first published anonymously, at a time when the author was Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, at Scotland Yard (London). In the original edition a brief prefatory chapter explained the plan and purpose of the book; and the following extract from it may opportunely be quoted here:

“We have all heard of ‘the confidence trick.’ With unfailing certainty it comes up again and again in our police reports, and we always read the story with mingled feelings of wonder, amusement and pity. Nor is it merely the rustic and the tourist in the streets of London who fall victims to such frauds. By an artifice quite as silly and transparent one of our greatest city houses was not long ago defrauded of £20,000 in gold. The details of the swindle would be delightful reading, but to divulge them would be a breach of faith; for the merchants preferred to bear their loss, rather than incur the ridicule which publicity would have brought on them. But there are developments of the ‘confidence trick’ of which the police court takes no cognizance, and where the victim’s loss cannot be estimated at a money value. Simple folk are every day imposed upon by deceptions just as shameless, palmed off upon them in the name of religion. And not of religion only, but of science also. And may not a sceptic do good service here? Is not this work for a high-class detective? It cannot be, surely, but that some at least will be found to appreciate an honest effort to expose such frauds.”

Of the present volume the latter half is entirely new. And some of the earlier chapters have been revised; but those which deal with the philosophical systems of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer remain unchanged. It may be thought, perhaps, that the criticisms they contain are out of date, now that Spencerism is dead, and Darwinism discredited. But though biological theories which reigned supreme a few years ago have been abandoned or modified by “men of light and leading,” their influence still prevails with the general public and in response to appeals from several quarters the chapters in question are here reproduced.

As the book is addressed to men of the world, it speaks from the standpoint of scepticism — the true scepticism which tests everything, not the

Preface

sham sort which credulously accepts anything that seems to discredit the Bible. If, for example, the Bible taught evolution, it may be averred that evolution would be scoffed by many who now cling to it with a childlike faith worthy of the infant class in the Sunday School. With the true sceptic it is merely a philosophic theory.

The reader will thus be prepared to find that destructive criticism is in the main the author’s method. To some the book will seem unsatisfactory on this account, and yet they must recognise the importance of thus refuting the claims which infidelity makes to superior enlightenment.

Others may think that in these pages the difficulties which perplex the Bible student are dismissed too lightly. Here the author must either accept the criticism, or risk a charge of egotism if he appeals to his other books in proof that he neither ignores difficulties nor attempts to minimise them.

Were it not for encouragement received from one of the author’s most valued American friends, this re-issue of A Doubter’s Doubts might never have appeared; and at his request it is that this American edition preserves the old title.

R. A.

* The corresponding English Edition (published by Hodder and Stoughton, London) is entitled In Defence: A Plea for the Faith.

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CHAPTER I

PAGE
HOW DID LIFE BEGIN ?..... 13

Creation or evolution? Method of the inquiry. The evidence for evolution. Abiogenesis. Huxley, Tyndall and Lord Kelvin quoted. Herbert Spencer cited in refutation of it. The original life-germ: its infinite capacities. Science leads to the acknowledgment of God. The alternative.

CHAPTER n

Mark Twain quoted. “Who made God?” Lord Kelvin’s dictum — “Science affirms creative power.” What kind of God then shall we own? Darwin’s hypothesis. His statement of it. Degeneration as an alternative hypothesis. Evolution fails to account for the moral and spiritual nature of man. Herbert Spencer cited against it. A practical test. Karl von Hartmann on Darwinism.

CHAPTER HI

HERBERT SPENCER’s SCHEME. ... 34

Special creation versii’S evolution. Spencer quoted and answered. His mistakes as to theological difficulties. The biblical scheme for the restoration of creation. “No one ever saw a special creation.” Spencer’s theme atheistical.

CHAPTER IV

The function of true scepticism. The existence of God creates a presumption in favour of a revelation. But we must guard against fraud and superstition. Is Christianity a Divine revelation? The question discussed. The claims of Rome and sacerdotalism. (Concluding note on Article XXVIII. and the meaning of a “sacrament”), IS CHRISTIANITY DIVINE,

CHAPTER V

PAGE

Goldwin Smith on the Reformation and the Bible. Notice of the theological school which ignores the connection between Christianity and Judaism. The testimony of Christ to the Old Testament. The Kenosis theology discussed.

CHAPTER VI MR. A. J. Balfour’s scheme .... The theses of A Defence of Philosophic Doubt. Discussion of the scheme. Tyndall on “religious feeling.” The argument against miracles. The question discussed. The testimony of Scripture. Settling the issues. The conflict is between Scripture and scientific theories, not facts.

CHAPTER VII

THE COSMOGONY OF GENESIS ....

The controversy on the subject. Mr, Gladstone’s Dawn of Creation and Worship. The failure of Mr. Huxley’s attack upon it. Their reference to Prof. Dana, and his decision. The author’s challenge to Mr. Huxley in The Times. Mr. Gladstone’s thesis holds the field. The materialistic scientists. Herbert Spencer’s statement of evolution. The teaching of Genesis i.

CHAPTER VIII

“an agnostic’s apology” .... 80

Sir Leslie Stephen’s treatise. The fallacy of his scheme exposed. His method of discussion. Reference to Newman. His position is infidel. His challenge stated and answered by the Resurrection. The evidence for the Resurrection. Dr. Harnack’s view. The universality of superstition a proof of the truth of Genesis.

Contents

CHAPTER IX

PAGE
THE IRRATIONALISM OF INFIDELITY ... 91

Mill’s testimony to Christ. The untenableness of the infidel position. It is refuted by their own testimony to the New Testament writers. The miracle of feeding the 5,000. The evidence for such miracles is complete. Voltaire’s infidelity explained. The honest sceptic entitled to respect, especially in view of the religious apostasy of the day. Dean Alford on the Christian Church.

CHAPTER X

A sceptic’s plea for faith .... 100

Lord Kelvin’s testimony and advice. Chrysostom’s testimony to the Scriptures. The “Catholic Church” and Pascal. What God demands of those who come to Him. The question discussed. The facts of Christianity attested by evidence. The crucifixion a proof that Christ claimed to be Divine. And this creates a presumption that we have authentic records of His ministry.

CHAPTER XI

Prof. Max Müller’s testimony to the New Testament. Dr. Harnack’s testimony to its genuineness. How to begin Bible study. Lord Cairn’s words spoken to working men. “What if/, it aoout?” Prevailing errors about the Bible, “[.k’”^- ‘^ha^1cter and purpose of the Jewish dispensatio’,^ “^.^^^ Sermon on the Mount. The Lord’s testii. A ’ o the Hebrew Scriptures. Dean Alford quote ‘^ lack to Christ.”

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