Select Gifford Lectures Delivered at St. Andrews (15 vols.)

by Andrew Lang; Lewis Campbell; Rodolfo Lanciani; Richard Burdon Haldane

and

6 more

Publishers:

Longmans, Green, and Co.; Macmillan and Co.; John Murray; E. P. Dutton & Co.

and

4 more

, 1893–1927

Overview

Scottish judge Adam Gifford believed that the active knowledge of God engenders humanity’s well-being. Thus, in his 1885 will, he bequeathed £80,000 to four Scottish universities—Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St. Andrews, and Glasgow—for the establishment of a lecture series dealing with natural theology. For over a century, the Gifford Lecture Series has featured the most prestigious theologians, ethicists, philosophers, and scientists, presenting premier research and insightful perspectives on the value of natural theology. Philosopher Jacques Barzun described the Gifford Lectures as “the highest honor in a philosopher’s career.”

This collection contains 15 volumes of selected lectures from the University of St. Andrews’ Gifford Series. The lecturers reflect on topics such as the formation and evolution of religion, as well as philosophy and Greek ideas of immortality. Those interested in theology, philosophy, and religious history will find this collection a valuable addition to their digital library.

In the Logos editions, these volumes are enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Lectures by prestigious scholars about natural theology
• Discussions of the formation of religion, the nature of reality, and God
• Historical perspectives on important debates in theology, philosophy, and ethics

Product Details

• Title: Select Gifford Lectures Delivered at St. Andrews
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Volumes: 15
• Pages: 5,550

The Making of Religion

• Author: Andrew Lang
• Edition: 3rd
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Publication Date: 1909
• Pages: 355

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains the first Gifford Lectures delivered at University of St. Andrews, in which Andrew Lang argues against the commonly held beliefs that religion has come about through evolution, missionaries, or the remains of civilized races. Lang suggests that the notion of a deity “occurs in the lowest-known grades of savagery” and that “even in its rudest forms religion was a moral force.”

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish writer and critic, best known for his writings on folklore, mythology, and religion. Throughout his life he remained an avid writer, and his 12 fairy books remain his most famous works. He is also the author of John Knox and the Reformation.

The Evolution of Religion, vol. 1

• Author: Edward Caird
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Macmillan and Co.
• Publication Date: 1893
• Pages: 400

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, Edward Caird explains the relationship between the evolution of religion and science. He examines objective and subjective religions to prove that there is no element common to all religions that serves as a definition of religion. The text ends with a focus on the history and development of Judaism.

Edward Caird (1835–1908) was a Scottish philosopher and John Caird’s brother. His publications include The Collected Works of Edward Caird, A Critical Account of the Philosophy of Kant, with an Historical Introduction, The Social Philosophy and Religion of Comte, and Hegel.

The Evolution of Religion, vol. 2

• Author: Edward Caird
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Macmillan and Co.
• Publication Date: 1893
• Pages: 334

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In the second volume of The Evolution of Religion, Caird summarizes Jesus’ teachings and his fulfillment of Judaism. Caird goes on to discuss Paul’s role in freeing Christianity from the Jewish law it emerged from. The text then examines the evolution of Christianity and the Reformation, as well as late nineteenth-century Christianity.

Edward Caird (1835–1908) was a Scottish philosopher and John Caird’s brother. His publications include The Collected Works of Edward Caird, A Critical Account of the Philosophy of Kant, with an Historical Introduction, The Social Philosophy and Religion of Comte, and Hegel.

Religion in Greek Literature

• Author: Lewis Campbell
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Publication Date: 1898
• Pages: 423

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains Lewis Campbell’s investigation of religious threads in Greek literature. Campbell traces this thread through Homer, Ionian culture, Plato, and others to establish his argument that the religious journey of the Greeks “. . . is welcome evidence of our belief that mankind are not deserted by their creator, but are drawn continually upwards, in the course of a divine education.”

Lewis Campbell (1830–1908) was a classical scholar and ordained minister who received his education from Edinburgh Academy, Glasgow University, and Oxford. He is best known for his works on Plato and Sophocles.

New Tales of Old Rome

• Author: Rodolfo Lanciani
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Macmillan and Co.
• Publication Date: 1901
• Pages: 336

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, Rodolfo Lanciani blends historical explanation with new discoveries and archaeological findings. The text discusses the geography of Rome and its agriculture. It also examines the ways other cultures throughout history have come into contact with Rome.

Rodolfo Amadeo Lanciani (1846–1929) was an archaeologist and cartographer. Lanciani was fascinated by Rome and made a number of important discoveries there, including the House of Vestals in the Roman Forum. He was Rome’s secretary commissione archeologica communale, as well as a professor of topography at the Universita di Roma and the chair of Roman topography.

The Pathway to Reality

• Author: Richard Burdon Haldane
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: E. P. Dutton and Company
• Publication Date: 1903
• Pages: 316

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains Haldane’s first volume of philosophical reflections on reality and the nature of God. Drawing from metaphysics, Haldane builds a system for understanding thought, explaining how meditating on one’s own limitations can reveal the grandeur of God and the universe.

Richard Burdon Haldane (1856–1928) was an amateur geologist, politician, philosopher, and lawyer. He began studying at the University of Edinburgh at age 16. He is the author of Reign of Relativity and The Philosophy of Humanism, as well as the translator of The World as Will and Idea.

The Pathway to Reality: Stage the Second

• Author: Richard Burdon Haldane
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: E. P. Dutton and Company
• Publication Date: 1904
• Pages: 275

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains Haldane’s second volume of philosophical reflections on reality and the nature of God. Drawing from metaphysics, Haldane builds a system for understanding thought, explaining how meditating on one’s own limitations can reveal the grandeur of God and the universe.

Richard Burdon Haldane (1856–1928) was an amateur geologist, politician, philosopher, and lawyer. He began studying at the University of Edinburgh at age 16. He is the author of Reign of Relativity and The Philosophy of Humanism, as well as the translator of The World as Will and Idea.

The Realm of Ends or Pluralism and Theism

• Author: James Ward
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1920
• Pages: 524

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, James Ward seeks “to ascertain what we can know, or reasonably believe, concerning the constitution of the world, interpreted throughout and strictly in terms of mind.” Ward argues that while pluralism is not a perfect theoretical system, it is the best way to comprehend the world, and that theism is an adequate supplemental system to fill in the gaps.

James Ward (1843–1925) was professor of mental philosophy and logic at Cambridge. Early in his life, he served as a minister until he left the church for the academic pursuit of psychology and philosophy. Ward wrote an article entitled “Psychology” in the ninth edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica. His other published works include Naturalism and Agnosticism, The Realm of Ends, Heredity and Memory, and A Study in Kant, as well as numerous articles.

The System of Animate Nature, vol. 1

• Author: J. Arthur Thomson
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Williams and Norgate
• Publication Date: 1920
• Pages: 347

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains J. Arthur Thomson’s first collection of lectures on the order of nature. He explores the evolutionary stages of the natural world and the natural theology of primitive man.

John Arthur Thomson (1861–1933) was regius professor of natural history at the University of Aberdeen. He also lectured on zoology and biology in the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in Edinburgh. Thomson was editor of the bestseller Outline of Science.

The System of Animate Nature, vol. 2

• Author: J. Arthur Thomson
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Williams and Norgate
• Publication Date: 1920
• Pages: 687

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains Thomson’s examination of life and its origins. Focusing on “the making of bodies,” the function of those bodies, hemoglobin, and other components of life and bodies. Thomson also investigates variation, selection, and heredity.

John Arthur Thomson (1861–1933) was regius professor of natural history at the University of Aberdeen. He also lectured on zoology and biology in the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in Edinburgh. Thomson was editor of the bestseller Outline of Science.

The Philosophy of Plotinus, vol. 1

• Author: William Ralph Inge
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Publication Date: 1918
• Pages: 270

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, William Ralph Inge provides an account of Plotinus’ philosophy, emphasizing his ideas of the absolute, nous, and psyche, as well as spirit, body, and soul.

William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) was an English author, Anglican priest, and professor. Born in Yorkshire, Inge was educated at Eton College and King’s College, Cambridge. He was vicar of All Saints, Knightsbridge, London, from 1905 to 1907, but left parish ministry to become Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. In 1911, he was appointed dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inge was a columnist for the Evening Standard from 1921 to 1946, where his pessimistic writing earned him the nickname “the gloomy dean.” He wrote over 35 books, many of which can be found in the Works of William Ralph Inge (20 vols.).

The Philosophy of Plotinus, vol. 2

• Author: William Ralph Inge
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Publication Date: 1918
• Pages: 253

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, Inge provides an account of Plotinus’ philosophy, emphasizing his ideas of the absolute, nous, and psyche, as well as spirit, body, and soul.

William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) was an English author, Anglican priest, and professor. Born in Yorkshire, Inge was educated at Eton College and King’s College, Cambridge. He was vicar of All Saints, Knightsbridge, London, from 1905 to 1907, but left parish ministry to become Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. In 1911, he was appointed dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inge was a columnist for the Evening Standard from 1921 to 1946, where his pessimistic writing earned him the nickname “the gloomy dean.” He wrote over 35 books, many of which can be found in the Works of William Ralph Inge (20 vols.).

Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality

• Author: Lewis Richard Farnell
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication Date: 1921
• Pages: 434

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Focusing primarily on Herakles, Lewis Farnell surveys a range of Greek heroes and heroines to explore the evolution of religion. Farnell categorizes these heroes and heroines using a classification system to determine their relationship to various religions. The text then examines cults and their religious experiences. Farnell suggests that the cultures these cults came from “familiarized the world with the conception of the divine element in the human soul, with the sense of kinship between man and God. By means of mystic sacrament, man’s life was transcendentally fused with God’s. It prepared the way for the inauguration of a new era and a new faith.”

Lewis Richard Farnell (1859–1934) was rector of Exeter College and vice chancellor of the University of Oxford. His other publications include The Cults of the Greek States, Greece and Babylon, and Outline-History of Greek Religion.

Emergent Evolution

• Author: C. Lloyd Morgan
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: William and Norgate
• Publication Date: 1927
• Pages: 313

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

In this volume, C. Lloyd Morgan lectures on emergent evolution, discussing causation and causality in relation to the physical world, the changes it goes through, and God’s involvement in the process.

Conwy Lloyd Morgan (1852–1936) was professor emeritus of zoology and geology at the University of Bristol. Morgan was also a comparative psychologist and philosopher, and he helped found the scientific study of animal psychology. His other works include Animal Life and Intelligence, Habit and Instinct, Water and Its Teachings, Facts around Us, and Interpretation of Nation.

The Attributes of God

• Author: Lewis Richard Farnell
• Series: Gifford Lectures
• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication Date: 1925
• Pages: 283

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This volume contains Farnell’s lecture series on comparative religion and the origin of the attributes commonly ascribed to God. He begins with a study of the origin of theism, and illustrates the polytheistic threads still active in monotheistic traditions. Following this study, Farnell focuses on God’s positive attributes, including political and moral attributes, as well as beauty, wisdom, and truth.

Lewis Richard Farnell (1859–1934) was rector of Exeter College and vice chancellor of the University of Oxford. His other publications include The Cults of the Greek States, Greece and Babylon, and Outline-History of Greek Religion.