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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
when he said, “Before Abraham was I am," meaning ““I am ” was before Abraham.' Surely this is much more than an accidental concurrence of thought and expression, and betrays a substratum of sound philosophy underlying all rational systems of Religion, and, in all probability, a common origin as well.
It is to be observed, however, that the original conception of Godhood, as disclosed by the etymology of the words employed as names of God, does not contain anything like the idea of a creator within it; nor do we find within its four corners aught that might be deemed to countenance the theologian's attribution of a man-like resolving and repenting personality to their deity. No wonder, then, that modern thinkers, finding the adulterated concept of the present day theology inconsistent with rational thought, have been led to reject the idea of God altogether.
The controversy has centered itself round a sort of watch-maker which represents the theological conception of the Creator. Just as by seeing a watch one comes to the conclusion that there is a watch-maker who made it, so by seeing the universe, the theologian jumps to the conclusion that there is a man-like worldmaker whose handiwork it must be, and, in his eagerness to support his cause, does not hesitate to deny the evidence of his own senses. It is but poor philosophy and worse theology which has to depend on falsehood, to prove its propositions. We should fairly admit what is evident to all, and endeavour to get at truth at all costs, including even the destruction of the fondly cherished 'idols' of prejudice.
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