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Not the product of religious experience

160. It is often argued that Christianity is true because of its beneficial effect upon humanity.

Where it is practiced, it undoubtedly has that beneficial effect. Life is benefited by the Gospels. That could not but be the case, since both life and the Gospels have the same Author, God.

161. But the adjustment of the Gospels to human needs does not prove divine origin.

If we consider Christ's person, His doctrine in itself, the manner in which He taught it, together with its effect upon the lives of those who have practiced it sincerely, we have moral certainty that the religion of the Gospels is from God. We cannot account for it by merely human ingenuity. In fact, the greatest miracle of all would be for the merely natural ingenuity of Christ, were He nothing more than the son of Joseph, the carpenter, to evolve such a doctrine out of a merely human mind. In fact, it is impossible that a religion so perfect in all respects should be wrong in one point only, and that of such fundamental importance, its claim to a divine origin. Christ has been able to do what no other religion, and no philosopher, has ever been able to accomplish. He has given a doctrine which completely satisfies every legitimate aspiration of mankind. The argument is strengthened when we see that the loss of Christian faith and of the grace of Christ in a soul, or even in a nation, leads to vice, discord, pessimism and despair.

162. Could we not say that Christianity is the crystallization of the wisdom of mankind?

Not reasonably. Christendom drew its wisdom from the Gospels, and every departure from them has resulted in but a manifestation of folly.

163. I mean that the Gospels should be regarded as the fruit, and not the cause of human experience.

Idon't think we could say that any more than we could say that a baby, being nourished, is giving, and not receiving milk. It is not human wisdom that made the Gospels. They are the Gospels that correct human folly.

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Not the product of religious experience

160. It is often argued that Christianity is true because of its beneficial effect upon humanity.

161. But the adjustment of the Gospels to human needs does not prove divine origin.

162. Could we not say that Christianity is the crystallization of the wisdom of mankind?

163. I mean that the Gospels should be regarded as the fruit, and not the cause of human experience.

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