[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Dr. Edwyn Bevan is
certainly much better qualified than I to reply to the article, " Why I am not a Christian," on page 465 of your issue of March 18th, yet perhaps you will be able to find space for this letter from one who is also an Oxford graduate, aged 27, and who studied, as I suspect did the author, philosophy in that ancient university. She has absorbed so much and so little philosophy. The result is exasperating, and the conclusions such as I cannot agree with, yet on casting my mind back four or five years I can recall so clearly having held similar views.
" Philosophy cannot furnish objective proof of the existence of the Christian God. Therefore I am not a Christian." Is it unfair thus to summarise the article in question ? I think not, and if not, beyond pointing out the yawning non sequitur in the argument, I would ask the writer two questions. Is she satisfied that the method of philosophy is the best for arriving at a knowledge of God ? Has she tried to arrive at such know- ledge by any other way ?
Surely, the proper study of philosophy is the mind of man. By the method of philosophy we can study only that which is accessible to the mind of man. Is it not equally certain that the proper field of religious study is the Mind of God ? And if the philosopher attempts to grasp reality by the use of his intelli- gence, may not the seeker after God make his attempt by the use of faith ? Admittedly, faith sufficient is not given to every man—nor intelligence either. Yet the measure in which both faculties are present in each of us can be developed by their constant use.
Has my fellow-graduate tried this other way ? Has she studied her Bible as carefully as her Kant, and schooled her faith in the perusal of the one as she schooled her intelligence in the perusal of the other ? It may need some shattering personal experience.to bring her, as it brought me, to do this. One thing is certain. Intellectual conviction of the existence of God, even if she could attain to it, might make her a deist, but never a Christian.—I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
Mica 3-go Melia 33, Katowice, Poland. L. G. HOLLIDAY.
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