Supernatural Religion (Vol. 1-3)

This 3-volume work is the result of many years of earnest and serious investigation, undertaken in the first instance for the regulation of personal belief of the author. His main object has been conscientiously and fully to state the facts of the case, to make no assertions the grounds for which are not clearly given, and as far as possible to place before the reader the materials from which a judgment may be intelligently formed regarding the important subject discussed. Fear of the results of investigation, in author's opinion, should deter no man, for the issue in any case is gain: emancipation from delusion, or increase of assurance. That which is true in Religion cannot be shaken; that which is false no one can desire to preserve. Contents: Miracles in Relation to Christianity Miracles in Relation to the Order of Nature Reason in Relation to the Order of Nature The Age of Miracles The Permanent Stream of Miraculous Pretension Miracles in Relation to Ignorance and Superstition The Synoptic Gospels: Clement of Rome - The Epistle of Barnabas - The Pastor of Hermas The Epistles of Ignatius - The Epistle of Polycarp Justin Martyr Hegesippus - Papias of Hierapolis The Clementines - The Epistle to Diognetus Basilides - Valentinus Marcion Tatian - Dionysius of Corinth Melito of Sardis - Claudius Apollinaris - Athenagoras - The Epistle of Vienne and Lyons Ptolemæus and Heracleon - Celsus - The Canon of Muratori - Results The Fourth Gospel: The External Evidence Authorship and Character of the Fourth Gospel The Acts of the Apostles: The External Evidence Evidence Regarding the Authorship Design and Composition Primitive Christianity Stephen the Martyr Philip and the Eunuch. Peter and Cornelius Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles The Direct Evidence for Miracles: The Epistles and the Apocalypse The Evidence of Paul The Resurrection and Ascension: The Relation of Evidence to Subject The Evidence of the Gospels The Evidence of Paul Conclusions

Walter Richard Cassels (1826-1907) is the speculated author of the anonymous work Supernatural Religion. Born in London to a British consular official, Walter spent most of his early life in India. In partnership with two of his brothers he later set up a business in Bombay. After serving in the legislative council of Bombay from 1863 to 1865, he returned to England. Speculation that Cassels is the author surfaced in 1895 after his publication of a series of theological articles. Cassels however never publicly acknowledged his authorship of Supernatural Religion. Not much is known about his private life or how he became an early Christianity expert. He wrote poetry and was an art collector.