Indices, Historical And Rational, To A Revision Of The Scriptures - Softcover

David Newport

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0371958288 ISBN 13: 9780371958285

Publisher: HardPress, 2021

Synopsis

Indices, Historical And Rational, To A Revision Of The Scriptures by David Newport. This 1871 treatise argues for a rational, modern approach to religious faith and calls for a revision of the Scriptures to harmonize them with science and ethical reasoning. Newport contends that revelation is ongoing and inner, not confined to ancient texts, and he cites the historical corruption of biblical manuscripts by translators, citing Kennicott and John Jackson. The volume surveys science, the Church, and the Indian reform movements led by Ram Mohun Roy, as well as Keshub Chunder Sen, to illustrate a broader call for rational Christianity. It traces the formation of the Gospels, the role of the early Fathers, and the eclectic influences that shaped Christian doctrine. The author advocates a universal religion grounded in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, urging critical inquiry, humility before truth, and a spirituality that unites science, history, and faith. Throughout, Newport defends the Society of Friends (Quakers) as progressive on these issues, critiques dogmatic authority, and emphasizes moral and practical reform. He presents a chapter-by-chapter itinerary, confronting issues such as the Genesis narrative, the Pentateuch, and the nature of the Messiah, while arguing that the scriptures should be judged by their moral essence and their alignment with universal human conscience. The book seeks to disentangle Jesus's core message from later dogmatic accretions, and it champions a path toward a more inclusive, historically informed religious outlook that preserves truth while opening dialogue across cultures and faiths.

Edition details

• Publisher: HardPress
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0371958288
• ISBN 13: 9780371958285
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248