Preface

PREFACE THIS book embodies the substance of a series of lectures delivered at the Bermondsey Settlement to a small class of theological students during the last three years. It has been prepared by snatches in the short intervals of leisure left by almost unceasing public engagements. I fear that the conditions under which it has been produced have left their marks upon it, not only in defects of style, but possibly in undetected slips, and still more in imperfections of exposition. In addition to all this, I feel how inadequate any treatment of so great a subject must be, and especially my own.

Yet, such as it is, I send this volume forth, in the hope that it may throw some light upon the ways of God with men, and may help some who are seeking a view of Christian theology comprehensive enough to include and harmonise many elements of truth, which, seen in isolation, become distorted and misleading.

Especially, as one whose time is given to social and administrative work, I feel it to be a duty resting upon me to give expression to that conception of God’s relationship to, and dealings with, mankind in Christ which supplies, to me at least, the principles upon which social work should be based. Only the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God, seen in its full significance, can unite men’s efforts in every sphere of life in a consistent whole. For the lack of this, many are greatly perplexed and distracted by the seemingly rival claims of spiritual work and of the motives of natural and generous sympathy. It is of great importance to seek a reconciliation between the two.

I may add that this book is closely related to my former work on The Spiritual Principle of the Atonement. While written from the same point of view, it attempts to establish the supremacy of the Fatherhood of God more systematically, and to set forth its consequences on a broader scale than simply in relation to the Atonement. My grateful thanks are due to my friend the Rev. William F. Lofthouse, M.A, who read the greater part of the manu script and made many valuable suggestions; and also to several friends, connected with the Settlement, who, at the cost of great labour to themselves, have relieved me of much of the mechanical work of preparing the book for the press. The translations given in the historical chapter are largely my own; but for the first period I have generally adopted the rendering given in Messrs. T. & T. Clark’s Ante-Nicene Christian Library. And now I conclude, in humble trust that God will use this book, notwithstanding its imperfections, for His glory.

J. SCOTT LIDGETT.

BERMONDSEY SETTLEMENT, 1st November 1902.