Contents

PART I. THE METHOD

I. WHAT THEOLOGY IS -- pg.3

II. THE RELATION OF THEOLOGY TO OTHER BRANCHES OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY -- pg.26

III. THE SCOPE OF THEOLOGY -- pg. 49

IV. A CRITIQUE OF THE SPECULATIVE METHOD IN THEOLOGY -- pg.68

V. "THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION " AND THE HISTORICAL "SCIENCE OF RELIGION" IN THEIR RELATION TO THE THEOLOGICAL INQUIRY -- pg.107

PART II. THE INQUIRY

I. THE PHENOMENON OF FAITH -- pg.151

II. THE RATIONALISTIC THEORY OF RELIGION -- pg. 174

III. THE ROMANTICIST THEORY OF RELIGION -- pg.202

IV. THEOLOGICAL INTUITIONISM AND THE "RELIGIOUS A PRIORI" -- pg.235

V. RELIGION AS GROUNDED IN OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF VALUE; AN HISTORICAL SURVEY -- pg.256

VI. RELIGION AS GROUNDED IN OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF VALUE: A RECONSTRUCTIVE STATEMENT -- pg.299

VII. THE FOUNDATIONS OF BELIEF -- pg.340

VIII. THE CONCEPTION OF GOD -- pg.381

IX. THE CRITERION OF RELIGIOUS TRUTH AND THE NATURE OF RELIGIUUS PROGRESS -- pg.400

X. THE IDEA OF REVELATION -- pg.448

INDEX -- pg.473

An Introductory Study of „Theological Principles
More than 35 years ago, Dr, John Baillie wrote this remarkable study of philosophical theology, making religion the object of a systematic scientific inquiry. Long unavailable, it is still indispensable for its comprehensiveness and clarity.
In these pages Dr. Baillie investigates the relation of theology to other branches of study, especially the natural sciences and philosophy In evolving a method, he approaches the many theories of religion —rationalism, romanticism, and intuitionism —only to find in the phenomenon of faith the basic fact of religious experience. This in turn takes its rise in the uniqueness of moral insight, so that all faith in God is seen as an outgrowth of man's consciousness of value.
John Baillie’s long life was devoted to religious study, teaching, and writing. A long and impressive list of books carries his name as author or editor. He was graduated with honors from the University of Edinburgh, and after 15 years of teaching in America, he returned there as professor of divinity from 1934-56. In America he tauftht at Auburn Theological Seminary, Emmanuel College (Toropto), and iilnion Theological Seminary in New York City. He was Principal of New College and Dean of the Faculty of Divinity at Edinburgh from 1950-56. From 1854 until his death in 1960; he was one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches. He is the author of A Diary of Private Prayer.