Short Notices [pp. 759-784]

Short Notices.
Science in Theology. Sermons preached in St. Mary's, Oxford, before the
University. By Adam S. Farrar, M. A., F. G. S., F. R. A. S., Michel
Fellow of Queen's College, &c. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co.
New York: Sheldon & Co. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1860. Pp. 250.
In theology there are two factors; the truths of God as
objectively revealed in the word of God, and the diverse forms
of human thought. The former is immutable, the latter is
variable. It is one of the most interesting and improving vocations of the student of theology to investigate the relation of
these two elements to each other in the different ages of the
church, and to see how the undying truths of God have asserted
their supremacy and permanence amidst the ever-changing systems of philosophy and the constantly advancing discoveries of
science. These elements are ever more or less in conflict, and
happy is the man who adheres throughout to the truth as objectively revealed, while philosophy and science adjust themselves
to the immutable as best they may. The book before us is intended "to bring some of the discoveries and methods of the
physical and moral sciences to bear upon theoretic questions of
theology." This design is carried out with a full knowledge of
the recent forms of philosophy, as well as of modern science,
but with a prevalent tendency to explain the truths of religion
in conformity with science. Doctrine is the plastic element,
science the controlling one in the author's hands. Such at
least is the impression which we derive from a slight inspection
of his work.
History of the Christian Church to the Reformation. From the German
of Professor Kurtz. With Emendations and Additions, by the Rev.
Alfred Edersheim, Ph. D., author of the "History of the Jewish Nation."
Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1860. Pp. 526.
The same. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. 1860.
The Edinburgh translation was made from the third, the
American from the fourth edition of the original work. This
is Kurtz's "Text Book of Ecclesiastical History," not his
Manual, which is much more extensive. This edition, prepared
by Dr. Bomberger, is founded on the Edinburgh translation;
but as the latter avowedly altered the original, and omitted the
strictly Lutheran portions of the work, Dr. Bomberger has restored such passages and corrected the alterations. This is all
fair. Dr. Kurtz is a thorough Lutheran, and impresses his
doctrines on every thing he writes. But he is a devout Christian, and therefore his works are, in a religious point of view,
immeasurably superior to the current productions of the German press; while in learning and skill they belong to the first
class of German books.
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