POSITIVE THEOLOGY AS PROVED BY THE ETERNAL PRINCIPLES OF PURE REASON, FACTS SENSE AND THE BIBLE HELPS FOR THE PERPLEXED AND DOUBTING THOUGHTS FOR THINKERS NEW LIGHT ON OLD TRUTHS, RELATING TO SCRIPTURAL EVOLUTION ALL OF WHICH ARE DESIGNED AS THE CHRISTIAN'S VADE MECUM, ARMORY AND SAFEGUARD AMIDST THESE LAST DAY PERILS BY MILES GRANT Author of "The Beauty of Holiness," "The Kingdom of God," "The Two Houses of "Spiritualism Unveiled, and Shown to be the Work of Demons," "Papal Dangers," "Papal Mysteries," "The Antichrist," "The Two Resurrections, and the Intervening Mil- lennium," "The Mystery Explained," "Pro- phetic Symbols," "Thoughts for Thinkers," etc., etc. Price $1.00 THIRD EDITION. BOSTON, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR PREFACE. The chief object of this book is to show the vital importance of Scriptural Holiness; and that the theology of the BIBLE is perfectly harmonious with the eternal principles of pure reason, metaphysics, common sense, and the facts of science; and is therefore positively true, and forever settled. In this work, I have given special attention to the subject of conditional immortality, showing that the only thing that leaves man at death is life. I have also given special attention to the lexical meaning of the original words rendered soul and spirit. I have examined all the Hebrew and Greek lexicons I can find in several of the best libraries in the world. It will be observed by the reader of these definitions, that not a single Hebrew or Greek lexicon gives the popular definition of the soul or spirit, as the essential part of man, that continues to exist as a conscious entity, after the man is dead; but that the words rendered soul and spirit mean simply and primarily "the vital principle;” and that it is common to man and all the lower animals. But no Hebrew or Greek lexicon would be complete that did not give all the uses of the words rendered soul and spirit; hence the theological use should claim a place; but this use is usually about the last. The Pagans, Papists and Protestants have held, and do hold, that the soul of man is the immaterial, immortal part of man, which will live eternally, either in happiness or misery. It will be a special object of this book to give positive proof that this doctrine is utterly unscriptural, opposed to the eternal principles of pure reason, the facts of science and common sense. Another special object will be to expose the greatest lie of the greatest liar; and to show that the false religions of the world are founded on that one lie of the devil, recorded in Gen. 3: 4.1 Jesus said of him: "There is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it."2 The one in Gen. 3: 4, is the first lie, of which we have any record; and is evidently the one to which Jesus refers. The numerous testimonies in this book from distinguished authors are mostly from those who believe in the immortality of the soul; and this is also true of the authors of the lexicons quoted; but the facts require these eminent scholars to give the statements which are presented. While I have endeavored to make the testimonies as brief as possible; I have at the same time been very particular to represent the authors correctly. A few quotations have been received from others, who did not give the references where they may be found. My sole object in preparing this work has been to magnify the truth and name of the Lord. May his blessing rest upon the reader, resulting in ultimate salvation and eternal life in the kingdom of heaven, in company with the author. Your brother in Christ, "THE BEST POSITION." MILES GRANT. The following very sensible thoughts from the Homiletic Review, relative to the interpretations of the Sacred Scriptures, are worthy of a careful consideration: "We are still somewhat at sea, in a transition period, searching for the best position to take. A theory is required that will free us from the necessity of doing any violence to any facts, whether established by physical science in the world of matter, or by historical criticism in the world of letters; a theory that will enable us heartily to welcome all truth of every conceivable sort; that will conserve in the wisest way all that is really essential for our highest spiritual good, while affording abundant scope for the freest work of the intellect; in a word, that will not prevent us from being both devout and scholarly at the same time."1 Said an able theologian, we need "a theology without absurdities.” NOTE. When Hebrew and Greek words are quoted, they are used in their primary form without reference to their grammatical structure in the texts. (1) Homiletic Review, Sept. rs91. |