Personal Idealism and Mysticism: Paddock Lectures for 1906, Delivered at the General Seminary New York

In these engaging lectures, William Ralph Inge shares his views on religion, and the philosophy with which he approached belief.

Inge was popular in the USA for his novel approach and serene discussions of religious topics. He was a Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University, and worked as a priest in the Anglican church. These lectures are a good introduction to his views: that spiritual experience and an emotional connection to God and to Christ are more important than an authoritative presence. Inge sought to emphasize how the personality of Biblical figures, both in the Old and New Testament, offered a way for readers to relate to the narratives of the scriptures.

Several of Inge’s ideas are related to neo-Platonism, which itself is an evolution of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s views. The author is also well-acquainted with modern philosophy, which he energetically reconciles with the principles of the Christian believer. The final essay concerns the problems of sin; how sinfulness is treated both historically and in modern Christianity is discussed at length, and its interplay with moral values and shifting attitudes.