p. 72 | NEW AND IMPORTANT WORK by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1879

NEW AND IMPORTANT WORK.

By James White

HARMONY OF SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE ON THE NATURE OF THE SOUL, AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION, BY J. H. KELLOGG, M. D.

In noticing this valuable book we wish to bring an idea of the subject matter directly before the mind of the reader; therefore give the contents: “Harmony of Science and the Bible”—Warfare of Science and Religion—Causes of the Controversy—Controversy about the World—Ancient doctrine of the world—New Views of the World—The so-called Scriptural Doctrine of the World—Protestant persecution—Conflict about the Nature of Man and of the Soul—Other points of Dispute—Science and Religion not Antagonists—What is Science?—What is Religion?—No Conflict between Science and Religion—Science Does not make Infidels—Harmony of Science and Theology—Popular Doctrine of the Soul Unscientific.

The Nature of the Soul—The Nature of Matter—The Basis of Existence—Atoms—Different kinds of Atoms—Properties of Matter—Matter and Force—Molecules—Relation of Atoms to Molecules—Atoms Unchangeable—Life Force—Origin of Life—Living Creatures—Contrast of Somatic and Molecular Life and Death—Creation of Man—The Nature of the Mind—Old Theory of Mind—New Views of the Nature of Mind—Consciousness—What is Thought?—Relation of Mind and Matter—Memory—Do Lower Animals Have Minds?—The Human Will—The Nature of Identity—In What Does Human Identity Consist?—What is Man?—Difference between Man and Beast—Has Man a Soul?—Universal Belief in a Soul—Bible Testimony—What is the Nature of the Soul?—Modern Popular Doctrine of the Soul—Is the Soul Material?

Resurrection of the Dead—The Resurrection an Ancient Doctrine—Doctrine of the Resurrection a Comfort to the Church—Time of the Resurrection—Doctrine of a Spiritual Resurrection—Two Resurrections—What is the Resurrection?—Will the Identical Atoms be Resurrected?—Identical Atoms not Necessary in the Resurrection—The Dispersion of Matter—So Much Labor Unnecessary—The Theory of Identical Atoms an Hypothesis—The Doctrine Unscriptural—The new Birth—The View in Question Affords the Infidel a Powerful Argument—Objections to the New View—Objections Based on the Bible—Isa. 26:19—Job 19:26, 27—Job 14:14, 15—Ps. 49:15—Ps. 17:15—Ps. 68:22; 71:20—Jer. 31:16—Dan. 12:2—Eze. 37:1–13—The Dead Come from their Graves—Matt. 27:52, 53—The Resurrection of Christ—Rom. 8:11—Philosophical Objections—Not Within the Province of Philosophy—No Difficulty with the Old View—Only Partial Identity of Matter Required in the Resurrection—Exchange of Matter Possible only under the Control of the Assimilative forces—A new Body not Consisting of the Same Atoms as the Old, Could not Have the Same Experience—The Resurrection Body Must Retain Defects of Mortal Body—Confusion of Identities—A Resurrection without Identity of Material Elements not Properly a Resurrection, but a new Creation—The New View Does not Satisfy the Mind—Conclusion.

The author of this work expresses himself in modest terms in the preface as follows: “The little work which is hereby presented to the public for examination and criticism, is the outgrowth of an address delivered by request before the S. D. A. General Conference, Oct. 8, 1878, on the ‘Harmonies of Science and Religion.’ A request being subsequently made for the publication of the same, by a committee appointed by the Conference, the author has, by their advice, considerably enlarged upon some portions of the original paper, particularly on the subjects of the ‘soul’ and of the ‘resurrection.’”

“The views presented may be new to many, and at first may appear somewhat fanciful; but it is hoped that a candid and careful study of the subject will in most cases convince the intelligent reader of the soundness of the positions taken, as based upon and harmonizing with both science and the Bible.

“The field of thought explored being a somewhat new one, and the prejudice against some of the views advanced so very strong in some quarters, the writer has felt much hesitation in thus committing himself in a printed volume. Especially has he felt thus, since he makes no pretensions to any profundity of learning either as a scientist or as a theologian, and frankly acknowledges great inferiority in knowledge of the general doctrines of the Scriptures to many of those who have held opposite views on some of the subjects treated. Feeling thus, he has endeavored to treat with due respect the opinions of those with whom he differs; and if in endeavoring to give point to an argument he has in any instance seemingly appeared in a different light, it must be considered that the theory in question alone is the object aimed at, and not the individual holding the same. It may be wise to explain in this connection that the terms ‘old view’ and ‘new view’ used respecting the resurrection have been employed, not with the least desire to make an invidious contrast, but for want of better or more convenient terms to express the same ideas.”

“The author desires it distinctly understood that he does not wish to appear in the attitude of a ‘reformer’ or an innovator; his only desire is to aid, if possible, those who are seeking for truth to find the gem in its purest, clearest, and consequently most beautiful form. The views advanced, especially those relating to the resurrection, are not peculiar to himself. Many minds, by following a similar train of thought, seem to have arrived at the same conclusions. As many as fifteen years ago Eld. James White first presented the principal features of the new view of the resurrection, and, as we understand, has held and advocated the same since that time, having recently expressed his views on the subject quite fully, both in public addresses and in print.

“In justice to himself, the writer should state that the short time allotted for the preparation of this work, and the multiplicity of cares and labors crowding upon him during its execution, have necessitated a degree of haste which he has much regretted, and which has in large measure unfitted him for the performance of the task. It is hoped that the reader will accept this fact as a sufficient apology for any evidences of hasty work which the book presents.

“The author takes great pleasure in improving this opportunity to express his great obligations to Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. J. N. Andrews, and Eld. U. Smith, for their careful criticism of the whole or a greater part of the work in manuscript or proof-sheets. He has to thank each of the persons named for valuable criticisms and suggestions.”

Doctor Kellogg would not by any means give the reader to understand that Elders Andrews, Smith, and Waggoner have directly aided him in his investigations. These brethren, whom he regards with great respect, have clung to the old view with great tenacity. They are strong men, and have given the strength of the argument on the other side. In meeting these arguments, the doctor has explored the field of thought more minutely, and thus has been helped to many valuable ideas.

We have read and re-read the book with extreme delight; and can recommend it without the least degree of hesitation as a work eminently calculated to free skeptical thinking minds from popular objections against the blessed Bible. The first edition is small, and will be very soon exhausted. Price, in cloth, postpaid, seventy-five cents; flexible cover, sixty cents. For sale at Battle Creek, Mich., Oakland, Cal., and Denison, Texas.

JAMES WHITE.