The Christian Faith: An Introduction to Dogmatic Theology

from the Preface: The subject of this book is not 'apologetics' but 'dogmatics': that is, it is intended primarily, not for those who are outside, but for those who are inside the Christian fold. It is our duty as Christians to try to bring all men to the knowledge of the truth; but we cannot do so, unless we ourselves know clearly what the Christian religion is. The lectures on which this book is based were given, through many years, to Anglican candidates for ordination, and were at all times subjected to their criticism. Readers are warned, as they were warned, to take no statement for granted, but to check it for themselves. No belief is really ours until we have made it our own (St. John 4:42). This book is intended chiefly for members of the Anglican churches, which, though they have no doctrines peculiar to themselves, have a standpoint and an emphasis of their own, which is given here without qualification or apology. For this reason, more space is devoted to Anglican authority, formularies, and organization, than might otherwise be justified . . .