CHAPTER IV

THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND RECENT PHILOSOPHY

The philosophical situation at the opening of the century 125 Leading representatives of present day philosophy 127

I. Bergson and Creative Evolution 127 Creative Evolution a drama in three acts 128 Features of Bergson's system: the vital impulse 129 His rejection of Finalism: is it compatible with Theism? 132

II. Eucken and the Truth of Religion 137 His critique of Naturalism, of Pragmatism and of Absolutism 138 Universal Religion and Characteristic Religion 140 Eucken's relation to Christianity: "Can we still be Christians?" 142 Bergson and Eucken as prophets of a new era 146

III. Ward and the Realm of Ends 146 His transition from Pluralism to Theism 147 His argument for Immortality 152 Pampsychism and Metempsychosis 153 Difficulties in the doctrine of Pampsychism 154

IV. Royce and the Problem of Christianity 155 Christianity as a Religion of Loyalty 157 "What is vital in Christianity?" 158 The Christian ideas of Sin and of Atonement or Grace 159 The Church as a source of salvation: its origin 161 Philosophical interest in Christianity and its significance 164