The Romance Of M. Renan And The Christ Of The Gospels

The book ""The Romance Of M. Renan And The Christ Of The Gospels: Three Essays"" by Philip Schaff is a collection of three essays that examine the work of French scholar Ernest Renan, particularly his controversial book ""The Life of Jesus"". Renan's book sparked a debate in the 19th century about the historical accuracy of the Gospels and the nature of Christ's divinity. In the first essay, Schaff critiques Renan's approach to studying the Gospels, arguing that Renan's bias towards rationalism and skepticism led him to overlook important aspects of the text. Schaff also takes issue with Renan's portrayal of Jesus as a mere human prophet rather than the Son of God.The second essay delves deeper into Renan's interpretation of Jesus as a historical figure and analyzes his use of sources. Schaff argues that Renan's reliance on secular sources and his rejection of the supernatural elements of the Gospels led him to create a distorted image of Jesus.The final essay examines the impact of Renan's work on the broader theological landscape of the time. Schaff argues that Renan's book was part of a larger trend of liberal theology that sought to reconcile Christianity with modern science and philosophy. However, Schaff maintains that this approach ultimately undermines the core tenets of the Christian faith.Overall, ""The Romance Of M. Renan And The Christ Of The Gospels: Three Essays"" offers a critical analysis of Renan's work and its implications for the study of Christianity. Schaff's essays provide a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on the debate surrounding the historical accuracy of the Gospels and the nature of Christ's divinity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.