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1 Finney's Lectures On Theology

2 Volume 1, Unpublished, c. 1860     

3 School Of Philosophy

LECTURE I. ---- REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDY. Define the study upon which we are about to enter ---- Some of the requisite personal qualifications for this study ---- Some of the advantages to be derived from the study of Systematic Theology ---- Some things to be avoided ---- Remarks.

4 LECTURE II. ---- CONSCIOUSNESS AND SENSE. Do we know anything? ---- How do we know ourselves? ---- What do we know of ourselves in consciousness? ---- What is meant by sense?

5 LECTURE III. ---- REASON. What we mean by the reason, as distinct from the other functions of the intellect ---- First truths of reason have the following characteristics ---- Examples of some first truths of reason ---- How these truths are developed in the reason ---- Division of first truths of reason ---- Second class of truths of reason -- How this class of truths (second class) is developed in the reason -- Remarks -- Truths of conscience -- How the ideas of conscience are developed.

6 LECTURE IV. -- THE UNDERSTANDING, JUDGMENT, AND FREEDOM OF THE WILL. The understanding -- The judgment -- The will.

7 LECTURE V. -- IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. Argument from consciousness -- Moral argument -- The Bible argument -- Objections.

8 LECTURE VI. -- EVIDENCE. The importance of a correct and thorough knowledge of the laws of evidence -- What is evidence and what is proof, and the difference between them -- Source of evidence in a course of theological inquiry -- Kinds and degrees of evidence to be expected -- When objections are not, and when they are fatal -- How objections are to be disposed of -- Where lies the burden of proof -- Where proof or argument must begin.

9 LECTURE VII. -- THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. Several ways in which God may reveal himself to rational beings -- Two revelations -- What God is as known to us in the irresistible convictions of our minds -- Principle terms to be used in discussion of God's existence -- Some self-evident truths of reason -- Argument for the existence of God -- Argument for the existence of God as Moral Governor.

10 LECTURE VIII. -- THE EXISTENCE OF GOD 2. Argument from final causes; or, from apparent ultimate design -- Facts and self-evident truths -- The following positions are manifest -- Propositions -- Stating the substance of the above propositions in another form -- Argument from consciousness of the existence of God -- First objection -- Second objection -- Method of the natural reason -- Summary remarks.

11 LECTURE IX. -- THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. What is a natural attribute? -- What are the natural attributes of God? -- Self-existence -- Immutability -- Absoluteness -- Infinity -- Liberty -- Omniscience -- Omnipotence -- Eternity -- Ubiquity or omnipresence -- Spirituality -- Moral agency -- Unity -- Independence -- Natural perfection.

12 LECTURE X. -- THE MORAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. What is moral character, and what are moral attributes? -- God is morally and infinitely good -- Two objections that have been made to the benevolence of God -- What are the moral attributes of God? -- Justice -- Mercy.

13 LECTURE XI. -- THE MORAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD 2 Veracity -- Disinterestedness -- Forbearance -- Long--suffering -- Self-denial -- Impartiality -- Beneficence -- Sovereignty.

14 LECTURE XII. -- THE MORAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD 3 Firmness -- Severity -- Efficiency -- Simplicity -- Immutability -- Infinity -- Holiness -- Remarks.