|
Showing 1 - 25 of
339 matches in All Departments
In 1817 the Scottish mathematician and churchman Thomas Chalmers
(1780 1847), who was later invited to write one of the Bridgewater
Treatises (also reissued in this series) published this book, based
on weekday sermons preached by him in Glasgow. His main aim is to
refute the 'infidel' argument that because the earth and humanity
are such insignificant parts of the universe, God - if he existed -
would not care about them. However, he is also addressing the
'narrow and intolerant professors' who 'take an alarm' at the idea
of philosophy rather than incorporating science into their
Christian preaching. Chalmers writes from the viewpoint of an
admirer of science and modern astronomy. However, he also argues
that wonder at the magnificence of creation and even acknowledging
it as God's work is not enough, and that a truly moral Christian
life is essential for salvation.
The eight Bridgewater Treatises of the 1830s aimed to contribute to
an understanding of the world as created by God. This, the first
treatise, by the Scottish mathematician and churchman Thomas
Chalmers, proposes an 'argument for the character of the Deity, as
grounded on the laws and appearances of nature'. It sees harmonies
between the intellectual and material worlds as manifesting the
hand of God in their creation, anticipating aspects of today's
'intelligent design' theory. Volume I includes chapters comparing
virtuous and vicious personalities; the concept of habit; how
external nature is adapted to man's moral constitution; and how
moral and intellectual aspects of mankind lead to the civil and
political well-being of society. Volume II provides specific
examples of God's design including happiness and the connection
between intellect, emotion and will, concluding that areas left as
open questions by science's lack of proof are indications of divine
architecture.
Thomas Chalmers exhorts readers to remove the tangles of sin
through the expulsive power of a new and greater
affection—desiring God.
This three-volume study by the Scottish churchman and social
reformer Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) is a revealing work of
Christian morality as applied to urban economic theory. Having
moved to Glasgow in 1815, Chalmers was given a free hand in 1819
for an experiment in urban ministry at the new parish of St John's
in the poorest district of the city. His reforms improved education
and reduced the need for institutional poor relief by dividing the
area into manageable 'proportions' that were closely looked after
by parish elders and deacons, reviving a traditional community
spirit and promoting self-help. Although sometimes severe,
Chalmers' system and this influential work reflect Enlightenment
optimism regarding human nature, suggesting the need for the Church
of Scotland to respond actively to problems of urban
industrialisation. Volume 1, published in 1821, outlines his
theories of locality and the ways in which the Church could support
the community.
This three-volume study by the Scottish churchman and social
reformer Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) is a revealing work of
Christian morality as applied to urban economic theory. Having
moved to Glasgow in 1815, Chalmers was given a free hand in 1819
for an experiment in urban ministry at the new parish of St John's
in the poorest district of the city. His reforms improved education
and reduced the need for institutional poor relief by dividing the
area into manageable 'proportions' that were closely looked after
by parish elders and deacons, reviving a traditional community
spirit and promoting self-help. Although sometimes severe,
Chalmers' system and this influential work reflect Enlightenment
optimism regarding human nature, suggesting the need for the Church
of Scotland to respond actively to problems of urban
industrialisation. Volume 2, published in 1823, investigates the
nature of pauperism in Scotland and England and the ways in which
Parliament and the parish can work towards its abolition.
This three-volume study by the Scottish churchman and social
reformer Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) is a revealing work of
Christian morality as applied to urban economic theory. Having
moved to Glasgow in 1815, Chalmers was given a free hand in 1819
for an experiment in urban ministry at the new parish of St John's
in the poorest district of the city. His reforms improved education
and reduced the need for institutional poor relief by dividing the
area into manageable 'proportions' that were closely looked after
by parish elders and deacons, reviving a traditional community
spirit and promoting self-help. Volume 3, published in 1826, was
written after Chalmers left St John's to become Chair of Moral
Philosophy at St Andrew's. It focuses on the relationship between
labour, wages and poor relief, discussing how labouring classes
should not depend upon welfare and wages to relieve want, but
rather practise self-help to reform their condition from below.
Scottish minister and social reformer Thomas Chalmers (1780 1847)
is famous as the leader of the group of 470 ministers who left the
Church of Scotland in 1843 to found the Free Church of Scotland,
and as the author (in 1834) of the first Bridgewater Treatise (also
reissued in this collection). Along with his theological interests,
Chalmers was deeply concerned with educational reform in schools
and universities. In 1827 he published this paper on university
endowments, asserting that it was the state's responsibility to
support religious and educational institutions, because churches,
schools, and universities maintained the nation's Christian
principles and character. Chalmers argued that only endowed
national establishments were capable of ensuring the religious and
moral well-being of the individual. In addition to his appeal for
university endowments, he also advocated (unusually for his time)
the extension of full civil rights to dissenters and Catholics.
"An outstanding collection of sermons by many of Scotland's leading
evangelical preachers and leaders of former times. It will surely
be treasured." - Iain H. Murray - "Precious Seed contains sermons
by the 'hall of fame' of Scottish preachers on the most glorious
themes of the gospel. Here is preaching at its apex - the best
preachers presenting their best sermons on the best subjects " -
Joel R. Beeke
|
|