Christendom Astray from the Bible
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christendom Astray From the Bible (commonly: Christendom Astray) is a polemic work by the Christadelphian Robert Roberts that claims to demonstrate that the main doctrines shared by most Christian denominations are at variance with the teachings of the Bible.[1] In the preface to the book the author states the rationale of Christendom Astray From the Bible as follows:
THE enlightened reader will bear with the seeming arrogance of the title. It is a proposition-not an invective. The question proposed for consideration is a question for critical investigation. Attention is invited to the evidence and the argument. They are strictly within the logical sphere. They can be examined and dismissed if found wanting. What the title affirms is that Christendom, the ostensible repository of revealed truth, is away from that truth.
– Robert Roberts, from the preface to Christendom Astray From the Bible (1884)
Contents |
[edit] History
The contents of Christendom Astray was first published as a series of fortnightly lectures in Huddersfield, and then under the title of Twelve Lectures on the Teaching of the Bible in 1862.[2][3] It was expanded to 18 chapters and republished as Christendom Astray From the Bible in 1884.
[edit] Content
Christendom Astray covers topics such as The Bible--What it is, and how to interpret it (chapter 1), The Dead Unconscious till the Resurrection, and consequent error of popular belief in heaven and hell (chapter 3), The Devil not a personal supernatural being, but the scriptural personification of sin in its manifestations among men (chapter 7) and The Promises made to the Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), yet to be fulfilled in the setting up of the Kingdom of God upon earth (chapter 9).[4]
The last section of the book is a summary of the preceding chapters comparing and contrasting, in table form, Roberts' understanding of the Bible against the beliefs of mainstream Christendom. This is followed by a brief introduction to the Christadelphian community, which Roberts claims are 'a body of people ... who hold the views advocated in this book of lectures'.[5]
[edit] Complete Chapter Removed in 1951 Edition
In the 1951 Edition Chapter 16 called 'Evidence that the End is Near' was deleted because as the editor wrote, 'the suggested time of the Lord's appearing proved to be premature. Two world wars and world-wide changes could not go unnoticed in an adequate treatment of the subject, but this would have entailed an entire rewriting of the chapter'. '[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Stewart, Scott. "Christadelphian Books". San Francisco Ecclesia. http://www.christadelphia.org/books.htm. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ Roberts, Robert (1884). "Christendom Astray -- Preface To The Edition of 1884". Dawn Book Supply. http://www.antipas.org/books/chris_astray/ca_pref.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ The publishers. "Christendom Astray -- Forward". Dawn Book Supply. http://www.antipas.org/books/chris_astray/ca_fore.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ Roberts, Roberts (1884). "Christendom Astray From the Bible". San Francisco Ecclesia. http://www.christadelphia.org/books/chrastoc.htm. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ Roberts, Roberts (1884). "Christendom Astray - Summary". San Francisco Ecclesia. http://www.christadelphia.org/books/chrsumm.htm. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
- ^ Preface to 1951 Edition, repeated in the 1984 printing by the Christadelphian Office
[edit] External links
- Christendom Astray From the Bible, by Robert Roberts.
- Christendom Astray 1884 version PDF,by Robert Roberts
