IntroductionThe Canonical Gospels. As far back as we can trace them the four Gospels known as Canonical hold a place of honour and authority peculiar to themselves. Irenæus of Gaul (circa a.d. 175) recognises four, and only four, Gospels as the ‘pillars’ that uphold the Church (Adv. Haer. iii. 8). Origen, in the beginning of the next century (a.d. 220), speaks of them as ‘the four Gospels which alone are uncontroverted in the Church of God spread under heaven’ (Euseb., H. E. vi. 25...

This oldest of the extant Apocryphal Gospels claims to have been written by James (the Just) in Jerusalem. It was first published in the Latin version of Postellus in 1552. It exists in numerous Greek MSS., the best of which is said to be one of the tenth century. The Syriac versions are older, and, with occasional abbreviations, agree fairly with the Greek text, and with one another. The fragment translated by Dr. Wright is supposed to belong to the sixth century; the text on the palimpse...

The canonical Gospels stand very differently, as respects origin, character and reception, with the Gospels, Acts and Apocalpyses known as ‘Apocryphal.’ These apocryphal writings began to be produced (so far as known) in the second century, mostly in Ebionitic and Gnostic circles, and, with few exceptions, were repudiated and condemned by the Church. Only later, and in modified and expurgated forms, did their stories pass into the general Catholic tradition. The second century seems to hav...

St Victor's School, set in the country, is a typical Boarding School in England. Many boys have passed through its doors. There are, however, secrets. Secrets between the scholars and the Priests, Teachers and staff of the school. Want to see what they are ?

The papers included in this volume have, with two exceptions, already been published in various theological magazines. There they might have remained, but for the following considerations. The three expository Essays on Ritschl and his school which head the list appeared at a time when Ritschlian theology was still a terra incognita to most in this country. For that reason they attracted some attention. They have since been, and still are, frequently quoted, referred to, and occasionally a...

This oldest of the extant Apocryphal Gospels claims to have been written by James (the Just) in Jerusalem. It was first published in the Latin version of Postellus in 1552. It exists in numerous Greek MSS., the best of which is said to be one of the tenth century. The Syriac versions are older, and, with occasional abbreviations, agree fairly with the Greek text, and with one another. The fragment translated by Dr. Wright is supposed to belong to the sixth century; the text on the palimpse...

The Canonical Gospels. As far back as we can trace them the four Gospels known as Canonical hold a place of honour and authority peculiar to themselves. Irenæus of Gaul (circa a.d. 175) recognises four, and only four, Gospels as the ‘pillars’ that uphold the Church (Adv. Haer. iii. 8). Origen, in the beginning of the next century (a.d. 220), speaks of them as ‘the four Gospels which alone are uncontroverted in the Church of God spread under heaven’ (Euseb., H. E. vi. 25). Justin Martyr, in...

This Gospel gives the account of the sayings and doings, but specially of the miracles, of Jesus in His boyhood up to His twelfth year. The reference to one of the stories in Irenæus (above, p. vi.), shows that the work originated in Gnostic circles, and was in use in substance in the second half of the second century. It is cited by Origen (Hom. i. in Luc.), and after him frequently by Fathers of the Church. We do not, however, possess the Gospel in its original form, but only in much lat...

Though this Course is occasioned by the recent Gifford Lectures of Professor Pfleiderer, there is neither intention nor need of beginning a personal conflict between present Lecturers and him. The mere fact that as yet many only know Dr. Pfleiderer’s views from newspaper summaries, prevents a thorough discussion of them. That may come by and by in detail. Enough is known to make theologians aware of the general purpose and tendency of those views, as every biblical student has long been fa...

In 1909 God moved two Christian laymen to set aside a large sum of money for issuing twelve volumes that would set forth the fundamentals of the Christian faith, and which were to be sent free to ministers of the gospel, missionaries, Sunday School superintendents, and others engaged in aggressive Christian work throughout the English speaking world. A committee of men who were known to be sound in the faith was chosen to have the oversight of the publication of these volumes. Rev. Dr. A. ...

It is unnecessary at the commencement of these lectures to do more than refer to the changes which, within the last few decades, have taken place in the spirit and methods of the treatment of Church History. If there was a time within living memory when the charge could justly be brought against this branch of study of being the dreariest in the theological curriculum—a collection of dry bones and dead controversies—that time may confidently be said to have passed away; and with it has dis...

IntroductionThe General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in session at Birmingham, Ala., May, 1907, received from the Executive Commission of the Alliance of Reformed Churches throughout the world holding the Presbyterian System, the following communication relative to a general observance of the 400th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin:“The Executive Commission draws the attention of the churches in the Alliance and of all lovers of true progre...