Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 54:214 (Apr 1897)
Article: Spencer’s Philosophy Of Religion
Author: Edwin Stutely Carr

BSac 54:214 (Apr 1897) p. 232

Spencer’s Philosophy Of Religion

Rev. Edwin Stutely Carr

In Part 1 of the “First Principles,” Spencer applies himself to the task of reconciling science and religion. He begins his discussion by reminding us there is a “soul of truth in things erroneous”; and he will seek the soul of truth in religion. The phenomena of religion, practically universal, raise the question as to whether religion is of divine origin, or the result of natural evolution.

“Considering all faculties to result from accumulated modifications caused by the intercourse of the organism with its environment, we are obliged to admit that there exist in the environment certain conditions which have determined the growth of the feeling in question; and so are obliged to admit that it is as normal as any other faculty… . We must conclude that the religious sentiment is either directly created, or is created by the slow action of natural causes; and whichever of these conclusions we adopt, requires us to treat the religious sentiment with respect.”

“… Regarding science as a gradually increasing sphere, we may see that every addition to its surface does but bring it into wider contact with surrounding nescience… . Hence it must always continue possible for the mind to dwell upon that which transcends knowledge; then there can never cease to be a place for something of the nature of religion; since religion under all its forms is distinguished from everything else in this, that its subject-matter is that which passes the sphere of experience.”1

The reconciliation is to be found in the most abstract truth contained in science and religion.

“If there be a fact which science recognizes in common with religion, it must be that fact from which the several branches of science diverge, as from their common root.

“Assuming, then, that these two realities are constituents of the same mind, and respond to different aspects of the same universe, there must

BSac 54:214 (Apr 1897) p. 233

be a fundamental harmony between them; we see good reason to conclude that the most abstract truth contained in religion and the most abstract truth contained in science must be the one in which the two coalesce.”2

This most abstract truth is found in the second and third chapters, on the ultimate religious and scientific ideas. The old antinomies as to creation, first cause, etc., are made to do service in showing that the religious sphere, transcending experience, is a region of absolute and eternal mystery.

“The analysi...