THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 17

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY

A New Highway. By T. Wigley. Allen and Unwin. 272 pp. (8/6 net) The author of this book is a Cambridge graduate, who has had a distinguished career as a student of philosophy and theology. After leaving the university he became a Congregational minister, and has held charges in Manchester and London. In spite of his strenuous work in social service, he has been able to do a large amount of literary work of considerable merit. In the present book, he has set forth a "modern" presentment of Christian thought in God and Man, on Jesus, on immanence and incarnation, on miracles, faith, sin, and salvation. His range of reading is very wide, and some readers would think the book improved if there were fewer quotations in it. Mr Wigley, in spite of Loisy's warning about the futility of such a search, thinks he has found the essence of Christianity. He believes we can discover this essence by regarding Christianity "as part of that unceasing revelation of an immanent God in vital relation always and at all times with the spirit of man, finding perfect expression in Jesus Christ," Whose view of human nature is characterised by an unrestrained optimism. Though Mr Wigley attaches great importance to social service,'he maintains that the "fruits of the Christian spirit" can never be separated from "the roots of Christian thought and belief." "Ultimately only that which _ is thought out can be wrought out." Enough has been said to §how the reader that Mr Wigley's "New Highway" has not been constructed in a slovenly manner, and that its author is well aware of the difficulties of good road-making. Those who choose to follow Mr Wigley's guidance will find that they will not be led far astray, though in places the route has been made so attractive that there will be pilgrims who will wish to linger by the way. Some will find this "new" highway not so very new after all; for they have travelled on it for years past.