Pagan Origin of Partialist Doctrines. John Claudius Pitrat
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John Claudius Pitrat
Pagan Origin of Partialist Doctrines
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066155902
Table of Contents
PAGAN ORIGIN OF PARTIALIST DOCTRINES.
CONCLUSION OF ALL THE CHAPTERS.
PREFACE.
Two arguments can be brought forth to prove that the Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures: the one is drawn from the Scriptures themselves, and the other is drawn from history.
The first argument, drawn from the Scriptures, is this:
The Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures, if it can be proved by the Scriptures themselves that the Partialist doctrines are not contained therein. But it can be proved by the Scriptures themselves that the Partialist doctrines are not contained therein. Then the Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures.
The second argument, drawn from history, is this:
The Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures, if it can be proved by history, that the origin of the Partialist doctrines is Pagan. But it can be proved by history that the origin of the Partialist doctrines is Pagan. Then the Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures.
These two arguments, as he who reflects can easily perceive, not only corroborate each other, but their respective proving force is such, that, if considered separately, each one is sufficient to peremptorily prove that the Partialist doctrines are not taught in the Scriptures. The former, till now, we Universalists have exclusively used, and it has been efficacious in causing the scales of early and strong prejudices to fall from the eyes of thousands. However, it is unfortunately a fact, confirmed by daily experience, that the conclusions arrived at through scriptural controversies are striking only to minds of a particular bent and culture. On the contrary, the conclusions arrived at through historical facts present themselves to the mind of all, clear, vivid and irresistible. It is for this reason that the author, in this book, presents to the consideration of the Universalist denomination, and of the public in general, the second argument, drawn from history. The vast number of historical facts, of quotations, extracts, etc., contained in this volume, have been translated from many languages, with as much accuracy as possible.
May God bless this work, intended to confirm the Universalists in their beloved faith; and also to break the chain of prejudice which keeps millions of men in ignorance, in superstition, in perpetual fear, and thereby in spiritual bondage: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
THE AUTHOR.
PAGAN ORIGIN
OF
PARTIALIST DOCTRINES.
CHAPTER I.
TRUE SPIRIT OF PAGAN RELIGIONS.
It seems to be an undeniable fact, that, before the coming of Jesus Christ, nations had immemorially and universally believed, that the universe, or nature, was an uncreated but animated being, whose vast body comprised the earth, the sun, the planets and the stars, to which one great soul impressed motion and life. Also they believed that all those principal parts, or, in other words, principal members of the body of the universe, were animated by emanations or irradiations of the great soul of the universe, or nature. This Pantheistic doctrine we find recorded by the Chaldean Zoroaster, in his Zend-Avesta; by the Phœnician Sanchoniaton in his Mythological History; by the author of the Indian Vedam; and by the Chinese Confucius, in his Theology. Weighty is the testimony of those authors, who lived, Confucius perhaps excepted, at about the time of Moses. Also, the above doctrine they themselves believed and taught. More, we find the same testimony, the same doctrine, and the same teaching, in nearly all the works of the celebrated poets, orators and philosophers of posterior ages.
Pliny, the historian and naturalist, writes: "The world, or what we call the heaven, which, in its vast embrace, encircles all beings, is a God eternal, immense, uncreated and immortal. To seek any thing beyond it is beyond man's reach, and is vain labor. Behold, the universe is the Being truly sacred, the Being eternal, immense, comprising all in himself: he is all in all, or rather he is himself all. He is the work of nature, and nature itself."
We read in the sixth book of Eneida, by Virgil: "Know, O my son! that the heavens and the earth, the deep, the bright globe of the moon, and all stars are moved by a principle of inly life, which perpetuates its existence; that it is a great intelligent soul, extending to all the parts of the vast body of the universe; and which, connected with all, impresses to all an eternal movement. This soul is the source of the life of man, of that of flocks, birds, and of all the